Project Manager – Agriculture & Land Management
| Organisation: | Bristol Avon Rivers Trust |
| Salary: | C£25,000 – £29,000 dependant on experience |
| Location: | Bristol Avon catchment |
| Hours: | Full Time, 40 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend work) |
| Position type: | Paid |
| Contract: | Full time |
| Closing date: | Applications by 20th March 2020 |
| Website: | www.bristolavonriverstrust.org |
| Contact name: | Simon Hunter |
| Contact email: | simon@bristolavonriverstrust.org |
Job Purpose
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) are looking to recruit a Project Manager with agriculture / land management experience to develop and deliver a service to farmers and land-managers that will result in improvements to water quality. This will include projects which aim at reducing diffuse pollution on farms, natural flood management as well as advice regarding regulatory matters concerning the water-land interface.
The post-holder will aim to raise awareness, improve understanding amongst farmers and land managers of the wide range of issues affecting the water-land interface and offer advice and assistance in addressing these issues – sometimes helping to raise funding necessary to do so.
Engagement with farmers in targeted areas will seek to create a partnership approach and a sense of ownership and achievement within the farming community in relation to water quality in their catchment.
Main Responsibilities
- Work with farmers to find opportunities to improve infrastructure and change land management practices, underpinned by a need to reduce diffuse agricultural pollution to surface water;
- Undertake farm advice visits and identify runoff sources, pathways and receptors;
- Prepare a series of Farm plans supported by field-scale maps;
- Liaise with partner organisations to inform farm infrastructure improvement;
- Supporting farmers and encouraging them to undertake a series of techniques to reduce soil erosion;
- Undertake on-farm soil sampling at selected sites and liaise with contracted testing facilities and farmers;
- Plan and deliver on-farm events, sessions and develop partnerships in relation to water quality;
- Manage and input to relevant Bristol Avon Rivers Trust water environment initiatives, programmes and projects;
- Assist in the development of water environment focussed projects in target areas;
- Signpost farmers and landowners to relevant external funding sources or specialist advice;
- Through the work above, support landowners in satisfying cross-compliance, Defra Rules for Water, the Code of Good Agricultural Practice and the Silage Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations;
- Promote joined up thinking in the catchment through effective communication with other delivery officers, including Natural England and Environment Agency.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- In depth knowledge and understanding of water-land interface and impacts of agricultural practices affecting rivers and streams.
- Degree or equivalent qualification, or experience in land management;
- Project Management experience and relevant skillset;
- Excellent communicator with proven track record in developing strong working relationships with farmers, landowners and other stakeholders;
- Strong at diplomacy and negotiation;
- Experience of environmental legislation relating to the farmed environment;
- Experience of successful project delivery, including producing reports;
- Experience of delivering projects on time, to budget and in line with agreed outputs;
- Computer literate in all basic software packages;
- Valid driving licence and own car, insured for business use;
- Experience in using Risk Assessments and Lone working procedures.
Desirable Experience & Knowledge
- Knowledge of the Bristol Avon Catchment;
- Knowledge of Freshwater Ecosystems;
- Understanding and experience of using GIS, geodatabases;
- BASIS Soil and Water qualification;
- Previous experience in delivering conservation projects in an agricultural setting;
- FACTS qualification;
- Knowledge of pesticide products, sustainable crop protection and integrated pest management;
- Experience of advising upon Countryside Stewardship applications.
General Notes
- Extensive travel around the Bristol Avon Catchment will be necessary therefore a current driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential;
- This position will from time to time require work during some evenings, weekends and public holidays to meet the needs of the post. A time-off in lieu system is operated by the Trust;
- We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner, ensuring as little damage to the environment as possible. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to adhere to Bristol Avon Rivers Trust procurement guidelines in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.
Application
Interested parties should submit a CV and a one page covering letter explaining why they might be suitable for the position. These should be sent to: simon@bristolavonriverstrust.org
Interviews for this post will take place during March 2020 (date TBC) in Bristol.
Thank you for showing an interest in this job and for taking the time to apply. Unfortunately, due to administration costs borne by the charity, we regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, then please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
