Agriculture Regulatory Inspection Officer

at  Environment Agency

Region
South West
City/Town
Blandford Forum , Chippenham
Grade
Staff Grade 4
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Defence Operations
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
£33,000
Closing Date:
15/11/2024, 23:55 hours
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
In Wessex we want to create a diverse workplace where people are respected, valued and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where jointly we all grow and learn together.
It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.
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 to become part of a team working with farmers to help create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment in Wessex.
Agricultural practices can cause significant and chronic pollution to our precious water environment, often caused by slurry leaks and silage effluent, and other materials, stored and spread on farms. You will inspect livestock farms to assess their operations and infrastructure and ensure they are meeting the standards set by environmental regulations.
You will engage with farmers and using your regulatory powers and advice, move them to compliance with relevant environmental legislation. At times these conversations may be challenging but you will use your skills to influence and persuade farmers to make changes to improve their local environment. You will signpost farmers to funding opportunities and advice from our partners. In some cases, you may need to take enforcement action to secure improvements, including serving of notices and prosecution.
For more information about working for the Environment Agency and what we do visit our careers page environmentagencycareers.co.uk
The team
As a member of one of the Wessex agricultural teams, you will carry out targeted farm inspections across several priority catchments including the Somerset Levels and Moors, Poole Harbour, Hampshire Avon and various bathing water areas.
Wessex is tremendously diverse with numerous priority and protected species, designated habitats of local and national importance and a coastline of national and international significance.
You will be supported in your team and nationally by experienced agricultural specialists.
Experience/skills required

We are looking for individuals who have:

• a passion for the environment and delivering environmental improvements
• 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 (written and verbal) and influencing skills
• the confidence to have difficult and challenging conversations
• the ability to plan and manage their own workload
• the ability to manage and analyse technical information

You must have:

• a full UK driving licence
• IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), be comfortable in using an iPad and laptop on a daily basis and be able to input information into various systems

Full training will be provided and will include a variety of desk-based learning, group discussion and practical on-site visits.
Contact and additional information
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Please see the for more on how you will support with this.
The successful candidate will be based in either our Blandford office or Chippenham office, depending on their preference.
The role will entail travel across the Wessex area; we will provide a vehicle for use at work to carry out inspections and attend incidents.
We offer extensive employee benefits and opportunities for continuous development. Please see the for further details.
For an informal discussion, please contact Chris Westcott 07721 390131 or Tim Baribeau 07436 902892.
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV’s and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers.
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 an example of how you have delivered change on a farm or other site, 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?

Competence 2
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV’s and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers.
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 a farmer, landowner or other customer around 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?

Competence 3
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV’s and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers.
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Describe a time when you had to solve a particularly complex problem on a farm, or other site, in your current/previous role.

• What was the issue?
• What made it complex?
• What information did you need to solve it?
• How did you communicate this to the customer?
• What was the outcome?

Role specific license requirements
Full UK Driving Licence

Describe a time when you had to solve a particularly complex problem on a farm, or other site, in your current/previous role.

• What was the issue?
• What made it complex?
• What information did you need to solve it?
• How did you communicate this to the customer?
• What was the outcome