U.K. nationals: Cumbria Strategic Freshwater Senior Adviser

The Cumbria Area team

This is an exciting opportunity to lead our freshwater work in Cumbria forming our objectives and goals for conservation in the freshwater environment. This is a diverse role which will work across a number of our work programmes namely greener farming and fisheries, resilient landscapes and seas and sustainable development.

Cumbria has over 20 freshwater SSSI’s covering over 5000 hectares including many of the Lake District’s lakes and tarns as well as the over 150 miles of the key Cumbria Rivers, the Eden, the Kent, the Derwent and the Ehen. Many of these SSSIs are also Special Areas of Conservation and include species features such as Salmon, Lamprey, Arctic Char, Vendace, Freshwater Pearl Mussel and Whiteclawed Crayfish.

Job description

The role of the Cumbria Strategic Freshwater Senior Adviser:

Working with a wide range of partners, area team staff and delivery mechanisms to improve the condition of our freshwater SSSIs and SACs in support of the Government’s 25 year environment plan

Co-ordination of improvements in the freshwater SSSI monitoring data we hold and its translation into updated site condition statuses

Working with Natural England lead advisers, act as Senior Responsible Officer for projects agreed under United Utilities’ PR19/AMP7 programme.

Working across both the Cumbria and Cheshire to Lancashire Teams, lead on Natural England’s contribution to the third cycle of River Basin Management Planning in the North West River Basin; and working with Scottish Natural Heritage, NE’s Solway/Eden contribution to the 3rd cycle of the Solway Tweed RBMP.

Lead on a review of Natural England’s contribution to Catchment Partnerships and Catchment Management Groups to maximise our influence to achieve our objectives in return for the investment of our staff time.

Convene and chair bimonthly meetings of the group of Freshwater Lead Advisers and other interested staff.

Lead on partnership work with United Utilities and the Environment Agency across the Northwest on water resource management planning and drought planning.

Managing risks and issues, escalating to the national team and area teams where appropriate.

Contribute to the wider Cumbria Management Team (CMT) by bringing subject leadership to the development and delivery of local plans

Maximising the use of our Discretionary Advice service

Acting as SRO for contentious and complex freshwater case work

Individual competencies

Personal Effectiveness (Expert)

• Be ambitious, identify and adopt ways to make improvements in your team and Natural England and inspire others to act
• Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement
• Act with integrity, addressing challenging issues and managing conflict through being open and objective
• Share expertise and knowledge with people and networks so that you can develop together

Putting People at the Heart of the environment (Practitioner)

• Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aims
• Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England
• Understand and explain the outcomes we seek in your local patch and how these fit in with local and national issues

Work Delivery (Practitioner)

• Consider the financial implications of your work and seek income from our products and services
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance and comply with delegations, policies and procedures
• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines

Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas (Practitioner)

• Understand how natural processes, land/sea management and use impact the conservation and management of geodiversity, the marine and historic environments
• Understand the environmental value of designated sites and explain that to partners, stakeholders and customers
• Understand the use of Habitats Regulations and give appropriate consent, assent and advice

Technical (Essential)

• A good understanding of UK freshwater ecology with experience of managing issues on freshwater sites for example through environmental impact assessment or conservation projects
• An understanding of environmental legislation specifically that related to freshwater protected sites
 

Responsibilities

Please refer to job description