Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer

Job Introduction

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed individual to join the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Team to help deliver the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.

Created by Defra and managed by AONBs and National Park teams across England, the programme helps farmers, land managers and others to deliver work on the farmed landscape under the themes of climate, nature, people and place.

This is an opportunity to make a real difference to farming and land management in the AONB and to help conserve and enhance the natural beauty of this nationally important landscape.

For any further information, please contact Ian Marshall (AONB Development Officer) at: ian.marshall@staffordshire.gov.uk

Main Responsibilities

You will:

• be the first point of contact for the programme. 
• provide advice and guidance to farmers and other land managers
• help grant applicants,
• support an assessment panel who will judge applications
• carry out general administration and monitoring activities to ensure the efficient running of the programme.

The Ideal Candidate

• Degree or equivalent compensatory experience
• Significant experience of successfully working with farmers and land managers to achieve conservation and environmental outcomes, including through agri-environment schemes. 
• Local knowledge of Cannock Chase would be an advantage.

The role will be based in Stafford, but the postholder is expected to largely work from home.  The role will include travel throughout the Cannock Chase AONB.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. 

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.