Agriculture Regulatory Inspection Officers - 18553

Do you have a good knowledge of agriculture or other regulation in England and want to improve our natural environment? Would you like to be at the forefront of agricultural change? This is an exciting opportunity as we are recruiting a number of new officers to undertake regulatory inspections of farms.
Agricultural practices can cause significant and chronic pollution to our precious water environment, including our Protected Areas. In particular these can be caused by leaks of slurry and silage effluent, and other materials, stored and spread on farms.
We are looking for dynamic individuals ideally with experience and understanding of agriculture, or other regulatory activity, to work with farmers to increase their levels of compliance with existing environmental regulations. This will help safeguard and improve the future environment.
This is a specialist role where you will be required to:
• carry out targeted farm visits
• engage with farmers to influence them to change their practice, which may involve difficult conversations
• collect and report on data and findings
• be willing to undertake regulatory enforcement action when needed, prosecutions and the serving of notices
Many are transferrable skills and training will be provided.

As a team member in one of the Environment Agency’s Area Land and Water teams, based at various locations in England, you will be trained to carry out targeted farm visits to help improve farmer behaviours with respect to their local environment. You will be part of an operational team that is integral to delivering real environmental improvements.
The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife and support sustainable development.

We are looking for applicants who have been educated in agriculture and/or experience of working on farms or with farmers or have a general regulatory background. Many are transferrable skills and the following are desirable:
• an understanding of the general complexities and challenges of working farms
• excellent communication skills
• an ability to have challenging conversations
• knowledge of the ‘Silage Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil regulations’ and the ‘Farming Rules for Water
Full training will be given on legal requirements and enforcement powers.
You must have:
• a full UK driving licence
• basic IT skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel)
We welcome applications for part-time hours to support flexible working. However, this role will involve a 2 month training period following appointment during which successful applicants will be required to work full-time hours.

These roles will be based at a number of Environment Agency locations across England. Please specify what region(s) you would rather work in.
The posts are initially an 18 month fixed term contact until the end of March 2023. They have the potential to become permanent, but this is subject to future funding and is not guaranteed.
Vehicle transport will be provided to allow site visits.
As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve, to achieve this we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion.
For enquires please contact agricultureprogramme@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews will be hosted by video in late summer.

[Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results]

Giving a specific example of a piece of work you have delivered, describe how you prioritised your workload and how you met the final deadline.
• What was the work and timelines you were working to?
• Did you experience any setbacks and if so, what effect did this have?
• What was the outcome?

[Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.]

Give an example of a time when you have had to bring someone round to your way of thinking.
• What was the situation and what did you do?
• What were the main challenges and how did you overcome these?
• What was the outcome?
• What did you learn and is there anything you would do differently if a similar situation arose in the future?

Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.]

Please give an example of a time when you have had to tailor your communication style to a specific individual/situation:

• How did you realise this was necessary?
• How did you adapt your approach from your normal style?
• What was the outcome?