Farm and Conservation Service Higher Officer - ( Ref : 6764 )

This position is based Nationally

The Farm and Conservation Service (FCS) is a national team within National Delivery, providing a centralised delivery function and single point of contact for agri-environment, protected sites casework and integrated technical advice. The team brings together a dedicated and experienced mix of skills to support delivery across Protected Sites, Agri-Environment schemes including Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and SFI, the CS Facilitation Fund, Historic Environment and Inheritance Tax Exemption. FCS also contributes to the design and implementation of agri-environment and protected site reforms, helping Natural England respond to increasing demand and deliver nature recovery outcomes. This is a desk-based role.

Job description

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

• Support the delivery of high-quality agri-environment casework and technical advice, including Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, SFI and related scheme activity.
• Provide clear, timely and consistent advice to internal and external customers, acting as part of a national single point of contact for agri-environment and protected sites enquiries.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across FCS, Area Teams and national functions to complete casework, share learning and support consistent delivery standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying risks, process improvements and opportunities to strengthen the delivery of agri-environment and protected sites work.
• Support the development and implementation of scheme and protected site reforms, helping FCS respond to increasing demand and deliver nature recovery outcomes.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of agri-environment schemes and their role in supporting environmental outcomes, sustainable land management and nature recovery. (Essential)
• Knowledge of Agri-environment and/or Protected Sites casework (Desirable)
• Ability to interpret guidance, evidence and case information to make sound, consistent decisions and provide clear technical advice. (Essential)
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly to a range of internal and external customers. (Essential)
• Well organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work accurately and deliver to agreed timescales in a busy national delivery environment. (Essential)
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, share learning and own expertise and contribute to continuous improvement. (Essential)
• Experience of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier or SFI. (Desirable)

Competencies

Competence 1

Professional competency

Detail

Technical Skills and Knowledge (STAR format is optional for this competency)

Description

• A good record of delivery in a casework orientated environment. (Essential)
• Experience and knowledge of Environmental and Countryside Stewardship and/or Protected Sites, including experience of scheme delivery and SSSI consenting. (Desirable)
• Confidence in engaging with stakeholders and external customers over the phone and via email. (Essential)
• Ability to analyse and interpret information in order to provide accurate guidance. (Essential)
• Working knowledge of some, but not all, of: SharePoint, Mapping systems and tracking systems. (Essential)

Competence 2

Professional competency

Detail

Personal Effectiveness

Description

• Be ambitious, identify and adopt ways to make improvements in your team and Natural England and inspire others to act. (Practitioner)
• Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence. (Practitioner)
• Act with integrity, addressing challenging issues and managing conflict through being open and objective. (Practitioner)

Competence 3

Professional competency

Detail

Work Delivery

Description

• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines. (Practitioner)
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies, and procedures. (Practitioner)

Competence 4

Professional competency

Detail

Putting People at the Heart of the Environment

Description

• Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England. (Practitioner)
• Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aims. (Practitioner)

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Please refer to Job Description

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