The Environment Agency

Testing Approaches to Regulation of Agriculture, Agricultural Regulation Inspection Officer

Reference: 23531
Number of jobs available: 2
Region: West Midlands
City/Town: Kidderminster, Shrewsbury, Fradley
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time
Role Type: Operational Delivery
Salary Minimum: £28,785

Do you have a good knowledge of agriculture regulations and want to improve our environment? Are you able to come up with new ideas?

We are looking for Agricultural Regulatory Inspection Officers to Test Approaches to Regulation of Agriculture, (Project TARA). You will be part of a national project but based in the West Midlands Agricultural Team.

We are looking for dynamic individuals with understanding of agriculture. You will undertake regulatory inspections using established Environment Agency methods and trialling new methods. These could include remote sensing and working with other organisations.

You will use advice led regulation but be willing to take stronger enforcement action when necessary, such as seeking a prosecution. Our focus is on regulation of the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations, the Farming Rules for Water Regulations to drive improvements in water quality.

In this role you will be:

• engaging with farmers to influence them to change practices
• coming up with innovative approaches to regulation
• carrying out farm inspections and associated report writing
• undertaking regulatory enforcement action
• you will be required to attend incidents in-hours and the role may involve an out of hours incident role

The team

As a team member in the Environment Agency’s Area Agricultural Regulation Team, based at various locations in the West Midlands, you will carry out targeted farm inspections to help improve farmer behaviours with respect to their local environment. You will be part of an operational team that is integral to delivering environmental improvements. Your work will be field based and desk based, you will also respond to environmental incidents.

Experience/skills required

The following skills are essential:

• experience of working with farmers, on farms or the agriculture sector
• an understanding of the complexities and challenges of working UK farms
• excellent communication and influencing skills
• an ability to have challenging conversations
• be organised and able to prioritise
• the ability to think innovatively in regard to regulating the agricultural sector
• an understanding of the ‘Silage Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil regulations’ and the ‘Farming Rules for Water’, although full training will be provided

Experience of regulating farms is desirable.

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 on a daily basis, and be able to input inspection findings into systems.

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

Contact and additional information

For full details and to apply online, click here 

These roles will be based at Environment Agency locations in the West Midlands. Please specify which local office you would prefer to be based in. Vehicle transport (e.g., hire car) 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 louise.weller@environment-agency.gov.uk

Closing Date: 11/08/2022, 23:55 hours

Interviews will be hosted by video in August/September.

Closing Date: 11/08/2022  Location: Kidderminster, Shrewsbury, Fradley