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Natural England; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural England in Exeter is seeking a Higher Officer to help deliver practical environmental improvements across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. You will engage landowners and stakeholders, accompany farm visits and work with partners to implement habitat enhancements and water quality initiatives.

The role focuses on supporting nature recovery, with regular fieldwork and strong collaboration with rural communities. A commitment to safe working and governance is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience engaging with landowners, land managers and stakeholders to deliver habitat improvements on protected sites.
• Experience working with farmers and land managers to improve water quality and sustainable land use.
• Ability to collaborate with partner agencies and private companies to achieve environmental outcomes.
• Commitment to safe working practices and practical environmental governance.

Responsibilities

• Engage with landowners/land managers and stakeholders to deliver improvements to habitats and species on protected sites, including site visits as needed.
• Support farmers and landowners to improve water quality alongside sustainable food production and natural flood management.
• Collaborate with partners to identify and deliver shared environmental objectives and ensure compliant delivery.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Site visits

Land management knowledge

Water quality improvement

Job description

6771 - Area Team Higher Officer - Exeter

Our team covers Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, working across some of England’s most diverse and inspiring landscapes. From the granite uplands of Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor to the dramatic coastlines, estuaries and river valleys of the South West, the area is rich in natural beauty, wildlife, numerous protected landscapes, rivers and cultural heritage.

The region’s natural environment underpins its farming, fishing and tourism industries, making it an exciting place to support sustainable land management. Agriculture is a dominant land use across much of the area, creating unique opportunities to work with farmers and land managers to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and support productive farm businesses.

As a Natural England Higher Officer, you will work where farming and nature come together. The role offers the chance to help deliver practical environmental improvements across some of the country’s most valued landscapes, supporting nature recovery while building trusted relationships with farmers and rural communities. This makes the role varied, rewarding and highly visible, with the opportunity to see the impact of your work first‑hand.

The team is based at the Met Office in Exeter and Milestone House in Truro. The successful candidate will undertake regular site visits, typically at least two each week, providing plenty of opportunities to spend time on farms and in the landscapes, they help to shape. You will also work closely with colleagues across Natural England and the wider Greener Farming team, sharing expertise and supporting the delivery of environmental outcomes across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The role reports to a Senior Manager for line management, while technical advice and support is provided by senior officers from the relevant work areas.

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

• Engage with landowners/land managers and stakeholders, including statutory undertakers and agencies, to deliver improvements to the condition of habitats and species on protected sites. When required, this will involve undertaking site visits.
• Support farmers and landowners to improve water quality alongside long‑term sustainable food production/agricultural transition and natural flood management.
• Contribute to the production of strategic plans, working closely with partner agencies and private companies.
• Negotiate Agri-environment schemes to help support and deliver improvements in the condition of protected sites and deliver nature recovery in the wider landscape.
• Apply technical knowledge and advice on protected sites casework such as assessing proposals for activities affecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
• Apply relevant legislation, policy and governance frameworks to ensure consistent advice and messages are delivered to customers.
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to identify and deliver shared objectives.
• Take responsibility for ensuring personal safe working in line with corporate guidance.