EA role title: Agriculture Regulatory Inspection Officers – Berks, Bucks, Oxon & Herts

Permanent
Grade 4 [salary range - £28,785 - £34,208]

The role

Do you have a good knowledge of agriculture 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 5 permanent new officers in the South East (covering Berks, Bucks, Oxon, Herts, North Hants or Surrey) to undertake regulatory inspections of farms.

Agricultural practices can cause significant and chronic pollution to our precious water environment. 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, including graduates, with experience and understanding of agriculture, to work with farmers to increase their levels of compliance with existing environmental regulations. This will help safeguard and improve the future environment.

In this role you will:

• 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

Experience/skills required 

Many are transferrable skills and training will be provided. The following skills are important and desirable:

• experience of working with farmers, on farms, the agriculture sector or other regulation
• an understanding of the complexities and challenges of working UK farms
• excellent communication and influencing skills
• an ability to have challenging conversations

You must have:

• a full UK driving licence

• IT skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel), be comfortable using an iPad and a laptop to be able to input inspection findings into systems.

We welcome applications for part-time hours to support flexible working. However, this role will involve a 2-month (virtual) training period following appointment during which successful applicants will be required to work full-time hours.

Competitive salary, plus benefits. Appointment above starting minimum grade rate will be considered for exceptional candidates who can demonstrate substantial relevant knowledge and experience of working with farmers.

Additional information  

These roles will be based at Wallingford, Reading, Farnham, Welwyn or Oxford, although a hybrid of home working is acceptable.  Further information can be found in the candidate pack. 

You may be required to attend in hours incidents and can volunteer for out of hours incident working.

Vehicle transport will be provided to allow site inspections.

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.

For enquires please contact agricultureprogramme@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Interviews will be hosted by video in August.

You can apply for this role by clicking the Apply Button.