Farm Advice Traineeship (Valley Brook Catchment, Crewe, Cheshire)

Farm Advice Traineeship (Valley Brook Catchment)

Location: Crewe/Cheshire
Contract type:  Fixed term 6 months

Salary:  £23,400 per annum and telephone allowance (£20/month)

Hours:  Full time – 37.5 hours per week

Overview:

Mersey Rivers Trust is the principal environmental charity working to improve the quality of
rivers across the Mersey Basin. Our projects range from river restoration and catchment
management schemes (such as Natural Flood Management) through to public engagement and
communications. Project values range from £20k to over £1m. 

This is an excellent opportunity for a young person to gain valuable experience and training in
the area of farm advice, agricultural engagement and environmental management. Working with a
dynamic and enthusiastic team the role offers a wide variety of activities which will help to
further develop communication, planning, teamworking and engagement skills 

A Traineeship post open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 years old that meets the
requisite skills and competency requirements set out below. The post holder will develop
on-the-job skills, experience and knowledge in water environmental management in the context of
an eNGO / Third Sector organisation, as well as receive external training in a range of
relevant national qualifications (including City and Guilds Land Based Services).

The role is for an initial fixed term period of 6 months linked to grant
funding. 

Training, Learning and Development: 

Full training will be provided by Mersey Rivers Trust staff for the range of activities carried
out by the Trust’s Project Managers, including: water quality sampling and analysis; biological
kick sampling and analysis; farm audit and farm water management plan writing; GIS
applications; grant writing; partnership and stakeholder event and meeting co-ordination;
project management and financial budget control; and wider engagement in the catchment.

The post holder will receive formal training delivered by a certified training organisation to
receive recognised training in Catchment Sensitive Farming, Pinpoint, and have opportunities to
gain BASIS and NROSO points. Formal certified training will also be provided in first aid,
health and safety for field workers and safeguarding.

The post holder will also receive career / personal development mentoring from one of the
Trust’s Directors plus director/senior staff support towards the end of the fixed term
appointment to help seek future employment with relevant organisations appropriate to the post
holder’s career aspirations.

Key Duties:

The main duties of the role will be to support Mersey Rivers Trust staff in the delivery of its
Valley Brook farm engagement project within the Crewe area of Cheshire. This will provide the
post-holder with on-the-job training and work experience in many aspects of the Mersey Rivers
Trust’s work, from co-ordination of farmer training and events, to carrying out farm visits,
providing farm advice and delivery of capital improvement projects in partnership with farmers
and land managers. The post holder will be supervised by a Project Manager or Senior Project
Manager, but will be expected to take ownership and lead specific tasks following appropriate
training/competence development.

Specific duties will include: 

• To undertake informal and formal training as set out in an agreed Training Plan.
• To carry out (under supervision) water quality sampling, biological sampling and other
  aquatic surveys within the Valley Brook.
• Support engagement with the Valley Brook partnership, local communities and stakeholders as
  part of project delivery.
• Support and lead (under supervision) the organisation of farmer training and engagement
  events (e.g. pie and pint evenings, farm demo days and training workshops) and support the
  co-ordination of attending stakeholders.
• To support the delivery of environmental enhancement projects in collaboration with farmers
  and landowners (e.g. capital works on farms to reduce rural diffuse water pollution).
• To support with project management and reporting activities, including financial reporting.
• To help promote water environmental messages to farmers and landowners through
  presentations, displays, events, social media and general publicity.
• To assist in the development of monitoring and evaluation systems and to document, monitor
  and evaluate all projects in line with funding requirements.
• To attend regular internal and external meetings as required.
• To work in a flexible manner and to undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may
  be assigned from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the job.
• To travel throughout the Valley Brook catchment area and occasionally elsewhere in the
  Mersey River Basin as required.
• To carry out all of the above duties with full regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities,
  Non-Discrimination, Safeguarding, Environmental, Health and Safety policies.

Candidate Profile

• GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications) in maths and English is essential. Education to A
  level (or equivalent qualifications) in relevant subjects or equivalent relevant vocational
  qualifications is desirable.
• Valid driving licence and own vehicle, insured for business use is essential.
• Competent and confident in the use of email, Excel and Word. Experience in GIS and
  Powerpoint would be desirable, along with social media (Facebook, Twitter).
• An interest in the outdoors, rivers and nature conservation as well as an appreciation of
  factors involved in working with farmers and on farms. A working knowledge of different farming
  systems is desirable.
• Ability to work flexibly, including some early mornings, some evenings and some
  weekends/bank holidays. A time-off in lieu system is operated by the Trust.
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Good written communication skills
• Ability to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Willingness to work outdoors throughout the year

Terms and Conditions

The following terms and conditions are typically offered to Mersey Rivers Trust staff and
are set out as a guide only. Terms and conditions may vary according to circumstances and this
summary does not form part of any subsequent employment.

Contract duration: Fixed term contract for 6 months from employment
commencement date. We aim to make this role permanent beyond the 6 months fixed term period
subject to funding, but this is not guaranteed.

Annual leave: 28 days annual leave pro rata plus bank holidays. 

Time off in lieu: The Trust operates a time off in-lieu system for work at
weekends, evenings or bank holidays. We do not pay overtime or double time. 

Location: Home-Based. The work will include some home-based computer /
planning activities, alongside working across the Mersey catchment area, both indoors (e.g. in
community spaces) and outdoors.

Travel expenses: travel expenses will be paid for all work-related travel
within the Mersey catchment (Greater Manchester and Cheshire and part of the High Peak district
of Derbyshire). Candidates living outside the catchment area will need to cover their own
travel costs from their home to the catchment boundary. 

To apply: 

If you wish to apply, please send a CV (no more than two sides of A4) and covering letter (no
more than two sides of A4), outlining how you meet the requirements of the person specification
and job description and why you want to work for Mersey Rivers Trust. Please email your
application to [email protected]

Applications must be received by email no later than the end of 19th February
2024

If you would like more information about the role before submitting an application, you may
contact us via email:-[email protected]