Landscape Recovery Farming & Forestry Officer

Help shape the future of farming, forestry and nature recovery in Northumberland

Are you passionate about sustainable land management, working with farmers and foresters, and helping to deliver positive outcomes for the natural environment?

Northumberland National Park Authority is looking for a motivated and collaborative Landscape Recovery Farming & Forestry Officer to support the development and delivery of our Landscape Recovery project.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in land management and strong relationship-building skills to work directly with farmers, foresters, landowners and project partners. You will

About the role

Reporting to the Landscape Recovery Project Manager, you will play a key role in building relationships with farmers and foresters, helping them shape and develop the project and supporting the delivery of its objectives.

You will lead discussions and negotiations with land managers to develop land management and natural capital plans, coordinate farmer meetings and knowledge-sharing events, and work closely with colleagues and partners to ensure the effective delivery of project activities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building strong, positive relationships with farmers, foresters, landowners and other stakeholders across the Landscape Recovery project area.
• Organising and facilitating farmer meetings to help shape and develop the project.
• Working with landowners to coordinate access for project fieldwork.
• Leading the development and completion of farm and forest-specific land management and natural capital plans.
• Working with the Farming Team to develop knowledge-sharing opportunities for farmers.
• Coordinating project administration, including risk assessments, quarterly reports and grant payment milestone claims.
• Organising publicity and opportunities to showcase demonstration projects and project achievements.
• Keeping up to date with changes in agricultural and environmental policy and understanding their implications for farmers and the project.
• Contributing to Landscape Recovery Partner Advisory Group meetings and promoting effective collaboration across the project partnership.

You will also help ensure that work is carried out safely, inclusively and in line with relevant policies and data protection requirements.

About you

We are looking for someone who combines a sound understanding of land management with excellent communication and negotiation skills. You will be confident building relationships with people from a range of backgrounds and able to bring partners together to achieve shared goals.

You will have:

• A degree in an environmental or land management-related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of upland land management practices, farm businesses, current agricultural and natural environment policy, and high nature value farming.
• Experience in at least one land management area, such as agriculture, forestry, water management or ecology.
• Experience of working with farmers and other stakeholder groups.
• Experience of managing projects, working to deadlines, managing budgets using spreadsheets and reporting to funders.
• A track record of working collaboratively with partners.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams and other information technology systems.
• The flexibility to travel to project sites and work flexibly as required.
• Experience of fieldwork in an upland environment, knowledge of National Parks and protected areas, and an understanding of health and safety, agricultural practice, forestry management and upland ecology would also be beneficial.

This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of a collaborative landscape recovery project, building relationships with the people who manage our land and helping to develop practical approaches to sustainable land management.

You will work alongside colleagues and partners to support knowledge sharing, explore opportunities for nature recovery and help shape plans for the future of the project area.

If you enjoy working with people, understand the challenges and opportunities facing upland land management, and want to contribute to a collaborative project with environmental ambitions, we would love to hear from you.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Andrew Herbert on

Northumberland National Park Authority is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.

Location:

Hexham, travel within the national park and hybrid