3248 - Natural England Support Adviser

We have a wide variety of roles on offer. Some roles on offer can only be done from specific offices. This includes Area Team roles where you would be expected to be based in the team’s geographic area. Some National Team roles have ‘hubs’ where you would be expected to join the rest of the team in a specific office including at Worcester and Crewe offices. 

You can view a map of our office locations here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-office-locations 

Please specify your location preferences in the appropriate field on the application form. 

Successful candidates will be allocated roles in merit order based on scores achieved at interview and in accordance with location preferences, taking into account the work area successful candidates are most suited to wherever possible 

Although not an exhaustive list some of the vacancies we have include working on customer enquiries, business management and casework. Candidates offered a post working in a casework team would be working alongside colleagues in one of our delivery areas.

Here are some examples of the main types of role we have available:

• Working with farmers on how to reduce pollution from their farms and increase their biodiversity
• Providing advice through the planning system to ensure protected habitats are protected and consider environmental opportunities of development activity
• Working with farmers, landowners and the fishing industry providing advice on how to manage and improve the quality of protected habitats
• Providing advice through our licensing system to ensure valuable species are protected
• Working in our enquiries team as the first contact for public and partner queries.

Roles will be offered on a permanent or fixed-term appointment.

Technical skills and knowledge required:

• Relevant experience
• Knowledge of Natural England’s role
• Experience, knowledge and evidence of providing advice to customers and stakeholders
• Knowledge and experience of working within policy guidelines
• Experience of, and ability in, applying effective communication skills (verbal and written) in conveying complex and/or difficult messages to a variety of different audiences

How to apply 

We'll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process. When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. STAR stands for:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency. Please ensure you read the candidate information pack before you begin your application.

Next steps

If we receive a significant number of applications we may choose to sift applications on the first two competencies of Personal Effectiveness and Work Delivery only. 

Candidates should expect to be contacted before the end of July to inform them if they have been invited to interview. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

If you are invited to interview you will be asked to give examples for all three competencies.

Everything’s better with nature. You included.

We are the Government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. This describes an ambitious vision, bringing new opportunities to protect and enhance, and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

At Natural England, we love what we do. We’re here to make sure people and nature can thrive. A healthy natural environment is fundamental to our wellbeing, prosperity and happiness – that’s why we collaborate with scientists, lawyers, project managers and experts to implement environmental policy and shape decisions.

We work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and customers on a huge range of projects, from influencing construction, advising farmers and landowners how they can manage their land in a sustainable way for the benefit of the environment, gathering and analysing environmental data, and carrying out vital statutory duties. Across the country, we’re helping nature to support people and our planet.

We are focusing our efforts on six key programmes:

Greener Farming and Fisheries – supporting those who manage land and sea to operate in harmony with the environment

Sustainable Development – creating great places for people to live and work

Connecting People with Nature - promoting health and wellbeing through the great outdoors

Resilient Landscapes and Seas – protecting and restoring wildlife and natural beauty for future generations

Specialist Science and Evidence - an evidence-led organisation that is driven by science

Managing the Organisation – gathering business data to enable decision-making

Natural England staff are inclusive, motivated and ambitious to achieve results for our environment, for everyone. We welcome and encourage applications from all communities and we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and maintain their health and wellbeing.

From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Where appropriate there will be offers of training under our apprenticeship schemes.

See more about the work of Natural England at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england