Overview

The Environment Agency is seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated Environment Officer - Agriculture to join the Agriculture Team. The role involves inspecting farms, engaging with farmers to improve environmental compliance, and protecting the water environment by reducing agricultural pollution. The position is based in Lincolnshire/Northamptonshire with flexible working options and may require travel and incident response duties.

Responsibilities

• Carry out targeted farm inspections across a range of sectors, including permitted intensive farms, small family farms, land spreading operators, water abstractors, and those with discharge consents.
• Engage with farmers and land managers to influence changes in practice, including difficult conversations when necessary.
• Collect and report data and findings with attention to detail.
• Undertake regulatory enforcement actions when needed, including serving notices and prosecutions.
• Work collaboratively with other teams and specialists.
• Be available to attend incidents at short notice, both environmental and flooding, out of hours when required.

Experience / Skills Required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience communicating with the farming community is beneficial but not essential.
• Self-motivation, ability to prioritise workload, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to make timely and rational decisions based on relevant information and experience.
• A desire to protect and improve the environment; knowledge of environmental issues in agriculture is beneficial but not essential.
• Willingness to learn and develop; experience in a regulatory role is beneficial.
• Full UK driver’s licence.
• Positive attitude, confidence in engaging with staff and members of the public (in person or on the phone), and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Additional Information

All employees undertake training and participate in incident response duties when required. The successful candidate may be based in Lincoln, Kettering, Spalding or Peterborough. Flexible working arrangements are supported; please indicate preferences in your application. A full driver’s licence is essential due to travel requirements. Interviews will be held face-to-face in the week commencing 27 October 2025. For questions, contact jo.gass@environment-agency.gov.uk. The role is temporary – maternity backfill for 12 months. The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and to flexible working patterns, including job share. We have a Guaranteed Interview policy for applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

The Environment Agency operates as a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses government frameworks for external recruitment. For more information about supplier opportunities, please visit the Crown Commercial Service website.