Farm Adviser Higher Officer

Natural England; West Midlands, Worcester; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural England is seeking two permanent Farm Advisers to support farmers and land managers in the West Midlands, delivering nature recovery and sustainable farming outcomes.

You will advise on Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, provide practical on-farm guidance, and work from offices in Shrewsbury or Worcester with the team.

Qualifications

• Experience of providing on-farm advice and communicating effectively with farmers to deliver environmental outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of agri-environment schemes, especially Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier.
• Understanding of agricultural water and air pollution and ability to recognise farming practices causing pollution.
• Broad understanding of priority habitat management, with experience in grassland, wetlands, wood pasture or heathland.
• Ability to gain technical understanding quickly over an agreed timetable.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality advice on Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier applications to farmers and land managers.
• Support delivery of nature recovery across the West Midlands by engaging with land managers and stakeholders.

Skills

On-farm advisory

Agricultural knowledge

Water and air pollution knowledge

Habitat management knowledge

Technical learning agility

Job description

Want to work in the West Midlands? Passionate about farming and the environment?

As a Natural England Farm Adviser, you will have a unique mix of knowledge and skills including an up-to-date understanding of conservation management, farming systems, the regulations and incentives that underpin them, and how they come together to help farmers and land managers deliver nature recovery. You will also be expert at bringing people together and building consensus to deliver nature-based solutions for the most challenging problems.

These skills and knowledge will enable you to provide high quality advice Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier applications to famers and land managers on across the West Midlands – although the specific geography will depend on the successful candidate’s location within the 7 Counties that the West Midlands Team covers.

Natural England’s West Midlands Area Team covers Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands Combined Authority

KeyKnowledge, Skills & Experience

• Experience of providing on farm advice and being able to communicate effectively with farmers to deliver environmental outcomes alongside long-term sustainable food production/agricultural transition.
  
• Good level of agricultural knowledge and agri-environment schemes, particularly Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier.
• Good knowledge of agricultural water and air pollution and being able to recognise and identify farming practices which can cause pollution.
• A broad understanding of priority habitat management, ideally with more detailed experience in either species rich grassland, wetlands, wood pasture or heathland.
• The ability to gain technical understanding and knowledge quickly over an agreed timetable is a key skill to demonstrate.

Salary: £33,780

2 Permanent roles

Location: Offices in Shrewsbury and Worcester

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 14th September 2026