Peatland Advisor, Nature Recovery E&B N&P

Peatland Advisor, Nature Recovery E&B N&P
3
National
Various
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Environment & Sustainability, Policy, Strategy
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours, Other
£43,198

21/11/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Defra have commissioned the Environment Agency to provide specialist peatland advice and a lead role in water environment elements where the EA hold regulatory responsibility, expertise and experience to help deliver Environmental Improvement Plan outcomes. We have developed a National Peatland Programme to integrate the role of water into peatland restoration and sustainable management of peatland soils, to tackle the joint global climate and biodiversity crises.
We are looking for 3 organised and enthusiastic advisors with a good understanding of England’s Peat Agenda. You will be an experienced specialist who will support the technical and/or the project management aspects of the programme.
The 3 roles will focus on aspects of the peat programme including:
• The provision of specialist advice on peatland restoration. This will focus on maximising of the benefits and minimising the risks for the water environment for specialist bog and fen habitats, and their catchments
• The provision of sound, evidence-based advice required for the Lowland Agricultural Peat Agenda, ensuring that water management issues and benefits are fully explored
• Technical and project development, monitoring and delivery of the Lowland Agricultural Peat water grant scheme
• Development of approaches to improve our business readiness, including on the Research and Development framework
• Environment Agency staff, acting as the point of contact for the peatland leads in both area and national teams in their work with delivery partners
• Identifying training needs, developing, and delivering training materials.
• And leading on specific workstreams which may include planning, RBMP, Price Review, green finance and communications.
We are looking for a range of experience and skills as set out below. However, you will be asked during the interview if you have a specific preference or particular interest in any of the focus areas above.
The posts sit within the Peatland Team in the national Nature Recovery section, who provide a welcoming and supportive working environment. Our section holds responsibility for strategic leadership and technical advice for nature recovery. We work with others across our business and with external partners, like Defra, Natural England, and other organisations to deliver integrated outcomes. We deliver an important service to help staff implement statutory and policy duties and provide mitigation to environmental pressures.
We are looking for competent environmental advisors, qualified to degree level or equivalent in a relevant technical discipline with a good understanding of peatland issues and opportunities.
Alongside the skills required of an Advisor role (AS05), you should have:
Demonstrable relevant experience of working in at least one of the following: eco-hydrology, biodiversity, conservation or ecology (Essential)
Experience developing policy, strategy or practice in peatland restoration and/or responsible management of lowland peatlands, working with a range of stakeholders (Essential)
An excellent working knowledge of national and/or local peatland matters and applied ecological or hydrological knowledge and understanding across relevant disciplines (Essential)
Experience of delivering or working knowledge of the England Peat Agenda/ England Peat Action Plan (Essential)
Knowledge skills and expertise in communications (Desirable)
Expertise in coordination and/or development of training/guidance (Desirable)
Knowledge and skills/expertise of project management, communication planning and engagement, applied research or green finance (Desirable)
These are national roles in a dispersed team. You must be comfortable managing and working as part of a dispersed team. The roles are likely to require some national train travel with occasional overnight stays.
We support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between you work life and personal life. We will encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge. We are committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.
If you are interested in applying for one of these roles, please contact Dr Katharine Birdsall (Peatland Technical Senior Advisor) katharine.birdsall@environment-agency.gov.uk or Judith Bennett (Peatland Team Leader and Senior Advisor) judith.bennett@environment-agency.gov.uk to arrange an informal chat.
Influences and Persuades Others
To succeed in one of these roles, it will be important to develop and champion the role of the Environment Agency in delivery of peatland outcomes, taking an evidence-led approach to balance objectives from across the business.

Please tell us about a time when you have used your influencing skills to achieve an outcome and win someone over, especially where initially there may have been a conflicting views or priorities.

Your answer should demonstrate how you have:
• Sought to understand the views of others, in some cases lobbying others in advance
• Presented a credible case and explained the benefits to the audience/listener, anticipating the main objections/arguments,
• Responded to the needs and style of the listener when influencing,
• Sought to achieve a “win-win” outcome, balancing objectives from across the business
• Prepared convincing written arguments on complex issues, presenting information logically, concisely, and persuasively, and
• Modified and reformulated your case where necessary, read the listener’s mood and adjusted accordingly
Delivers Results Through Others
Effective outcomes for the Environment Agency’s peatland programme depend on collaboration.

Giving a specific example, describe how you have overcome significant challenges arising from a project or piece of work to deliver quality results through a collaborative team you have worked with.

Your answer should demonstrate how you have:

• Successfully obtained others’ commitment to undertake work by gaining their acceptance and involvement
• Monitored progress against key performance indicators, providing timely support to address shortfalls
• Improved what is delivered by welcoming challenge and through constant process improvement
• Approached a task with flexibility and managed conflicting demands in light of changing circumstances
• Uses a risk-based approach when prioritising activities
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
As a national advisor you will regularly need to decide on the best course of action to resolve specific issues. You will need to apply evidence and scientific knowledge to provide sound advice to our internal and external customers.

Tell us about a time (preferably related to peat) when you have done this and how you approached it.

Your answer should demonstrate how you:

• Used previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
• Seeks out and considers the best available information before making decisions. Probes, checks and confirms veracity of data as appropriate.
• Makes sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities. .
Communicates Effectively
These roles sit within Nature Recovery Peatland team but will require the successful candidates to work closely across the organisation both nationally and with operational teams as well as with external organisations.

Tell us about a time you have had to explain something complex or technical to a range of audiences.

Your answer should include how you:

• Use full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
• Are an active listener, making time for people; seeking their contribution. ·
• Consider the needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method and style.
• Prepare written reports and data in clear, readable and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax and style.
• Ensure communication is two-way; respond and act on feedback
• Are clear and to the point when speaking
• Anticipate the main issues and prepare responses
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.