Walkham Land Management Advisor

TN United Kingdom; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dedicated individual to immerse in the Walkham Valley landscape. This role involves building relationships with local communities, conducting ecological surveys, and advising on environmental enhancements. The successful candidate will have a passion for nature and a strong understanding of farming systems. With a focus on collaboration, this position offers a chance to make a significant impact on Dartmoor's ecological future. Join a team committed to sustainability and community engagement, and enjoy flexible working arrangements and generous leave benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Generous annual leave allowance

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

Free staff parking

National Trust café on site

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working with farmers and rural communities.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Survey holdings to establish ecological baselines and identify habitats.
• Provide options and advice for ecological enhancement plans.
• Assist farmers with ELMs agreements and applications.

Skills

Ecological knowledge

Botanical skills

Surveying experience

Understanding of farming systems

Relationship building

Education

Degree in Ecology or related field

Job description

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Contract length: Fixed term contract until 30/06/26

About Us

DNPA is the body that oversees the vibrant, living, working landscape and community that is Dartmoor. We help to conserve and enhance the biodiversity, cultural heritage and landscape of Dartmoor and provide opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside as well as supporting our local communities and the rural economy.

About the Walkham Valley Landscape Recovery Scheme (WVLR)

The Walkham catchment is a tributary of the River Tamar on the western side of the moor that hosts an incredible array of habitats and species as well as a rich historical and cultural heritage. Landscape Recovery is the new innovative upper tier of the Government Environment Land Management Scheme (ELMS) that aims to achieve landscape scale and coherent ecological restoration through a collaborative long-term approach.

The WVLR is a farmer and landowner led initiative about to begin a two-year development phase exploring options that will cumulate in an agreed and costed business plan to support long-term environmental enhancement and business resilience across the scheme area. This will lead to an exciting 20 year delivery phase that will provide the support, resources and funding to deliver a vision developed and owned principally by those who live and work in the Valley.

About the Dartmoor Hill Farming Project (HFP)

The HFP was established through a partnership of local farmers and organisations to help support a viable and sustainable future for farming on Dartmoor. The Project’s primary function is to provide advice and information, promote skills development, secure funding and offer a single point of contact to rural communities and partners regarding key issues.

About the role

We are looking for someone prepared to immerse themselves in the Walkham Valley landscape, build positive, trusted and lasting relationships with the communities that live within the catchment and develop an ecological understanding that will inform and help drive the long-term future of this treasured part of Dartmoor.

The role has three main objectives:

1. The first is to survey all the holdings within the catchment to establish an ecological baseline and identify priority habitats and species that are currently present. This will include working with contractors on commons and collating data from partners.
2. The second is to provide options and advice around future enhancement based on the existing ecosystem, opportunities and the ambition of the landowners and land managers involved. You will through consultation develop an ambitious and exciting plan of ecological enhancement and creation that will form the foundation of the subsequent 20 year delivery phase.
3. Finally, to advise and assist farmers to apply for new ELMs agreements, principally SFI and Higher Tier. The aim is to provide support and ensure that new agreements align and synergise with the emerging plan for the overarching Landscape Recovery scheme.

- Salary of £32,076 - £36,648 per annum
- Flexible working arrangements
- Generous annual leave allowance plus public holidays
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Based at our stunning HQ on the National Trust’s Parke estate near Bovey Tracey
- Free staff parking and National Trust café on site

About you

The successful applicant will be extremely organised, passionate, driven and enjoy working outside. They will have excellent ecological knowledge, botanical skills, experience of carrying out surveys and an excellent understanding of landscape scale ecosystems.

You will understand how farming systems work, have extensive experience of working with farmers and rural communities and a track record of building positive rapport and long-term working relationships. The post holder will also have significant experience of providing agricultural advice, particularly around agri-environmental schemes and assisting with both applications and ongoing support.

The post is hosted by Dartmoor National Park Authority and will be based in Princetown and Parke but will involve travelling around Dartmoor.

For further information, or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Chris Giles – Head of Conservation and Land Management ([emailprotected]).

Dartmoor National Park Authority is a disability confident and an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.