Role Description
The Environment Agency & Natural England are working in partnership for this
recruitment campaign
Role Title: RCRE 1200 - Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer
West Midlands region: River Tern and River Roden
Note:
1. This post is a fixed term assignment to 31 March 2010 (with possible extension to
March 2011, subject to funding).
2. CSFOs are appointed to a region (NE or EA) and will be assigned to a specific
catchment or group of catchments. Some CSFOs may be expected to change
catchments over time if practical and feasible in order to address changing priorities.
Regional Team: West Midlands
Reporting To: EA Environment Management Team Leader or relevant NE Area
Manager
EA Grade: 4
NE Staff Framework Level: Team Member – H level equivalent
Salary Range: From £23,000
Location: Shrewsbury
Full time/part time (unless otherwise stated the assumption is that flexible
working patterns can be accommodated): Full time preferred
Accountability for Environment Agency and Natural England outcomes and
objectives:
The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) is an advice
and incentives programme to reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture (dwpa). It is
sponsored by Defra and delivered in partnership by Natural England (NE) and the
Environment Agency (EA). Phase 2 of the Initiative covers the 3-year period April
2008 to March 2011 (subject to funding).
Postholders will support the delivery of NE’s objectives and outcomes for the
ECSFDI (target 3.2.2.5 of the Strategic Direction) and contribute to the EA’s goal of
improved and protected waters in ‘Creating a Better Place’.
The principle purpose of the CSFO role is to develop catchment specific CSF advice
campaigns resulting in behavioural change amongst farmers and land managers,
leading to a reduction in diffuse water pollution from agriculture. CSFOs are
responsible for developing and implementing these campaigns, engaging with local
farmers, partners and stakeholders and securing agreement and ownership at
catchment scale on key pollution issues and solutions. They drive delivery via a
range of tools, including specialist advisory support (procured through contractors)
and incentives (a dedicated CSF capital grant scheme and agri-environment
schemes such as Environmental Stewardship (ES)).
CSFOs are supported in the regions and nationally. At regional level, they are
functionally managed by the CSF Regional Co-ordinator (RC) on evidence, targeting,
advice delivery planning and communication. They are supported by the regional
Senior Project Manager (Farm Advice) in the procurement and delivery of specialist
advice to farmers.
At national level, CSFOs are supported by nationally developed project planning tool
kits and advice campaigns and services. CSFOs also work closely with the ECSFDI
national teams in recording their activity and successes through formal reporting, ad
hoc case studies and promotional media. The effectiveness of advice provision in
changing farming practices to reduce dwpa within catchments is evaluated by the
ECSFDI Technical Services team.
Each CSFO is appointed to a region and will be assigned to a specific catchment or
group of catchments. Resources, including CSFO support within catchments, will be
adjusted as the project achieves its targets. As the project progresses over the next
3 years, CSFOs may need to move to new catchments, subject to reasonable and
practical delivery constraints.
Key responsibilities/principal accountabilities:
CSFO duties include:
Evaluate dwpa issues
Report on dwpa issues and secure consensus on problems and practical solutions
for resolution via advisory and incentive tools. Support catchment appraisal and
catchment refresh tasks.
Set catchment-specific objectives and advice delivery strategies and plans
Work with the RC to create a catchment-specific advice delivery strategy aimed at
tackling issues identified within the catchment appraisal. The strategy should offer
solutions to farmers and land managers to mitigate the issues, for example the
establishment of local demonstration projects and specific monitoring/measuring to
support on-farm advisory campaigns.
Work with the RC to develop a work plan based on the objectives and targets
identified in the advice delivery strategy. Secure agreement from farmers and land
managers to mitigate the issues by working with, and drawing down advice and
incentives from, others such as NE and ES.
Co-ordinate and oversee catchment-specific advice delivery
Develop mini-tenders and oversee, and be responsible for, demonstration, workshop,
advice delivery and communication activities as agreed in advice delivery and local
communications plans. As appropriate, undertake direct delivery of advice to
farmers.
Input to the CSF Capital Grant Scheme
Work with the RC to identify target areas and develop funding priority statements.
Promote uptake of the grant scheme in the catchment and work with farmers to
secure high quality applications.
Report project successes and complete advice databases
Produce a monthly progress report and update the risks & issues register maintained
by the RC for inclusion within regional summaries for the national delivery team.
Record all farmer engagement and change on the CSF project advice recording
database and submit to the EA Technical Services team on a quarterly basis.
Work with the RC to advocate and promote CSF
Hold regular local steering group (local partnership group/liaison group where
relevant) meetings. Develop and deliver a catchment communications plan.
Natural England Competencies and Behaviour requirements:
Note: The equivalent Environment Agency ‘Capability’ is shown in brackets.
The following key competencies are relevant to the role, and have been classed as
essential or desirable.
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Knowledge/Technical Expertise
(Desirable)
Demonstrates a broad knowledge of Natural England’s and the Environment
Agency’s objectives
Sound experience of own work area, role and responsibilities
Uses knowledge and skills consistently to support team’s work
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Teamworking
(EA – Works In Teams)
(Essential)
Takes an active role in achieving team objectives
Supports and implements agreed team decisions
Actively engages with equal opportunities and diversity issues affecting the
team
Helps to defuse conflict or tension in the team

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Planning and Delivering Work
(EA – Achieves Results)
(Essential)
 Consults others to ensure plans are realistic and to assess impact on their
priorities
 Takes responsibility for planning and monitoring work to achieve personal and
team objectives within identified constraints
Maintains a high standard of service delivery through effective forward
planning
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Communication
(EA – Communicates Effectively)
(Essential)
Able to persuade and influence others positively
Pro active in improving communications systems and networks
Prepares and puts forward written work both logically and concisely
Uses initiative to build networks
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Problem Solving and Decision Making
(EA - Takes Decisions and Solves Problems)
(Desirable)
Analyses and interprets different sources of evidence and data
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Works with colleagues to solve problems
Analyses the impact of decisions on others and their work
Recognises and analyses problems reaching solutions using guidelines
available
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Working with Partners and Stakeholders
(EA – Customer and Partner Relations)
(Essential)
 Promotes partnerships and networking to achieve joint goals
 Networks with stakeholders and others to maintain awareness of their needs
 Identifies potential threats to partnership working and establishes ways in
which to overcome them
Maintains good working relationships with internal and external customers,
partners and stakeholders
Eligibility:
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People engaged in Natural England or the Environment Agency on a
permanent contract are eligible to apply for internally advertised roles.
People who were recruited by Natural England or the Environment Agency as
fixed term appointments, under fair and open competition, may apply
providing they flag clearly on their application form the nature of their contract
and their end date.
Applications from those employed directly by Natural England or the
Environment Agency on a short term (casual) appointment, agency workers
or people seconded into Natural England or the Environment Agency will not
be considered for internal vacancies.
External vacancies, applicants must have the minimum technical/professional
knowledge and experience/qualifications relevant to the role advertised.
If in any doubt about eligibility please check:
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if NE employee - with the SSD Recruitment Team on email
ssd.nerecruitment@defra.gsi.gov.uk
if EA employee, or external candidate – Jim Ratcliffe on email
Jim.ratcliffe@environment-agency.gov.uk
Additional information:
Budgetary responsibility/ practical requirements/ contacts/ stakeholders: CSFOs are
responsible for ensuring that the catchment advice delivery budget is committed and
spent and that delivered activity represents value for money. Frequent travel
required. Key contacts are other CSFOs in the region, the CSF Regional Coordinator and the ECSFDI national project team. Stakeholders and Catchment
Steering Group members include conservation bodies (e.g. Rivers and Wildlife
Trusts, RSPB), farming organisations (e.g. NFU, CLA, LEAF), water companies and
champion farmers.
Closing date:
Recruiting manager: Paul? Steven?
Relocation package available: No
How to apply:
If you wish to apply for this role, please email your request for an electronic
application pack to ssd.nerecruitment@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Natural England and the Environment Agency are using a joint application form for
this role.
Would line managers please bring this job advertisement to the attention of any staff
who are away from the office but may be interested.
Completed application forms should be sent to: ssd.nerecruitment@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Natural England and the Environment Agency are committed to valuing
diversity and to equality of opportunity. As Equal Opportunities employers the
Agencies welcome applications regardless of gender, race, disability, age,
religion or sexual orientation. Both organisations operate a family-friendly
policy including flexible working patterns. The posts are open to British,
Commonwealth and EU Nationals.