A very exciting opportunity to join the team and work with the agricultural community on agricultural plastics and water quality!
- Gross annual salary of £33,000
- 5 days/ 40 hours per week, flexible working
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Fixed Term Contract – One year. Possibility of extension subject to funding.
West Wales Rivers Trust is seeking to recruit a Farm and Land Management Advisor to deliver a unique role, split between two project elements.
The primary element of this role (a total of 9 months of the years position) will be to deliver a Rural Innovation Fund feasibility investigation which seeks to address the growing issue of agricultural plastic waste build up, subsequent pollution of watercourses and the lack of framework for its collection, by carrying out a programme of stakeholder research with farmers, existing agricultural plastics collectors and recycling plants in the UK. Following this stakeholder engagement, the postholder will put together, with Trust support, a report outlining the feasibility and proposing a model for a financially and environmentally sustainable agricultural plastics collection scheme in Wales.
A secondary part of the role (a total of 3 months of the years position split across the year) will be to raise awareness and improve understanding amongst farmers and land managers of diffuse and point-source pollution from agriculture and its impact on water quality and the wider water environment. This will be achieved by a programme of engagement with farmers, landowners and farming community groups to promote and implement practical measures to reduce sources of pollution and protect surface and groundwater quality, improve integrated soil, surface water and groundwater management which will jointly benefit farm businesses and the environment. To do this effectively, you will have the appropriate professional and practical knowledge and experience to ensure effective communication with farmers as well those with non-farming perspectives.
This is a great opportunity to join an energetic and enthusiastic team, working with farmers, the community and partner organisations to deliver projects that will make a real difference to the health of rivers in West Wales and to the growth of the Trust.
Essential candidate skills:
- A genuine desire to improve the aquatic environment
- Experience of engaging with key stakeholders, including agricultural communities, and working collaboratively with partner organisations
- Sound knowledge of agriculture and local farming practices, as well as agri-environment schemes, soil and water conservation
- Experience of managing and working with contractors to implement mitigation measures or equivalent
- Strong social and inter-personal skills
- Self-motivated and organised, with the ability to work un-supervised
- Project and/or budget management experience
- Situated within the West Wales catchment
- Full driving license and own vehicle covered by business insurance
- Report writing experience and computer literacy (Microsoft Office, Social media & email as a minimum)
- Welsh Language skills or the desire to learn throughout the duration of employment
Desirable candidate qualities:
- Experience of work to develop funding bids
- Academic training in a related environmental science (conservation, biology, geography) with knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and conservation
- Initially this role is a five day per week position for one year, but it will be a priority of WWRT to raise funds to continue this position and the delivery of the farm advisory and improvement works throughout West Wales.
If you would like to discuss the posts further, please contact: Harriet Alvis, CEO at harriet@westwalesriverstrust.org
To apply for this post please send your CV with a covering letter (both 2 sides of A4 maximum) to Harriet Alvis, setting out your experience and qualifications. Closing Date for applications is 12pm, Monday 25th September 2023.