Senior Catchment Officer

Catchment Management & Agronomy Lead

Make a difference to water quality, farming and the environment

We’re looking for an experienced Catchment Management & Agronomy professional to join our collaborative catchment team and lead the delivery of an ambitious Catchment Management Strategy.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of agriculture, water quality and environmental management, working directly with farmers, agronomists, landowners, regulators and environmental partners.

You’ll help drive practical projects and initiatives that improve water quality, promote sustainable land management and support farmers to adopt measures that reduce nutrient and pesticide losses to water.

The role combines field-based engagement, agronomic advice, catchment assessment, stakeholder management and project delivery, making it ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors while also having the technical expertise to influence and deliver meaningful environmental change.

What will you be doing?

As Catchment Management & Agronomy Lead, your responsibilities will include:

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Coordinating and leading the delivery of catchment incentive schemes, including capital grant and Payments for Ecosystem Services initiatives, supporting farmers to adopt practices that reduce nutrient and pesticide losses to water.

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Developing a thorough understanding of individual catchments and identifying and prioritising water quality risks, including supporting catchment walkover programmes.

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Acting as a key technical contact for catchment management and agronomy.

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Undertaking farm engagement visits independently and alongside Catchment Officers and Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers, including working in environments where there may be close proximity to livestock.

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Providing practical agronomic advice to farmers and landowners on nutrient, manure and soil management.

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Supporting the development, facilitation and engagement of farmer cluster groups and catchment partnerships.

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Planning and delivering catchment workshops, presentations and stakeholder engagement events.

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Designing and implementing programmes to monitor the impact of changes in land use and farming practices on nitrate leaching to groundwater.

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Leading and reviewing health and safety risk assessments associated with key areas of responsibility.

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Supporting the wider Catchment Team with Drinking Water Safety Plan catchment risk assessments.

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Leading on relevant regulatory work and consultations relating to catchment management, including areas such as biosolids.

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Managing budgets and reporting for catchment incentive schemes.

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Supporting the professional development of Catchment Officers through coaching, mentoring and knowledge sharing.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone with a strong agricultural and environmental background who can combine technical knowledge with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Essential

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Strong agricultural knowledge and practical experience.

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A degree, or equivalent qualification, in an environmental, agricultural or related discipline.

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Strong scientific and technical knowledge of agronomy and catchment management.

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Experience engaging effectively with farmers, landowners, regulators and other stakeholders.

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Experience working within the environmental sector.

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Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team, representing the organisation professionally in the field.

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A full UK driving licence.

Desirable

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BASIS Foundation qualification.

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Additional BASIS qualifications, particularly FACTS.

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Knowledge of soils, nutrient management and manure management.

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Understanding of water quality.

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Knowledge of geology, hydrology and hydrogeology.

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Experience with agricultural grant or funding schemes, including agri-environmental schemes