Environment Officer (Agriculture) Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire - 33297

Are you ready to take on a role that makes a real difference? This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a programme of advice led regulation working with farmers to create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment.

As an Environment Officer focussing on agriculture, you will provide regulatory and technical support to farmers helping them achieve positive outcomes for the environment. You’ll begin at our EOA grade and follow a structured development programme, typically progressing to EOB grade within 18 months upon demonstrating the required skills.

Initial training includes residential sessions, involving classroom learning on topics like regulatory legislation and environmental science, followed by field visits with experienced officers who will demonstrate the practical aspects of the role. Some travel and overnight stays will be required. All necessary training, equipment, and clothing will be provided to ensure your safety.

During this period, you’ll develop key skills in communication, influencing, and technical understanding of regulatory responsibilities, learning to apply and enforce legislation and determine compliance actions.

As well as investing in your learning and development, you will support the agriculture programme of work by:

• contacting farmers to gather updates on any improvements made on farm to bring them into compliance
• assisting Officers with agricultural regulatory and enforcement administration
• acting as a point of contact for the team, ensuring requests are responded to in a timely manner and ensure statutory deadlines are met
• administering team inboxes, ensuring adherence to records management requirements and the retention schedule
• using our systems to generate data reports for use by Team Leaders and national colleagues

The Environment Agency values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community who wish to join a workforce which embraces difference and welcomes everyone.  

We are looking for someone who has: 

• a background or education in UK farming would be beneficial, as would experience of regulating 

• excellent writing and communication skills with ability to manage and present information in a clear, comprehensible style 

• the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines 

• the ability to work on their own as well as part of a team 

• proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and a willingness to learn about our internal IT systems and procedures 

• Full UK driving licence 

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role. 

This role will be based in one office, but some travel between offices may be required.  We work flexibly with some home working permitted. 

We welcome applications for part-time hours to support flexible working. 

We offer extensive employee benefits and opportunities for continuous development. Please see the candidate pack for further details.

If you are appointed, you will have to undergo vetting - we will conduct open-source checks including publicly availability barred lists.

This role does NOT meet the criteria for a Skilled Worker visa.

For an informal discussion or to find out more about the roles, please contact Stefan.stainsby@environment-agency.gov.uk