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To manage, deliver, monitor and report on catchment-specific advice and projects to those active on UU's drinking water catchments to improve and protect raw water quality and quantity for both ground and surface waters.

The principal water quality parameters of concern include nutrients, pesticides, colour, algae, solvents and turbidity.

Job Accountabilities

• 
  To organise and deliver advice both directly and indirectly to farmers and third parties such as councils, golf courses, caravan sites and equine holdings to make land management changes that protect and improve the water environment. This will include assisting in the preparation of farm management plans and applications for agri-environment schemes.
• To carry out investigations, field trials, monitoring, sampling and analysis to support, validate, report and present on catchment activities and incidents. Data collection includes water, soil, plant and manure samples.
• To arrange and deliver presentations, workshops, table top discussions, lectures and stalls at markets, community meetings (WI, Gardening groups, equine groups), farmers meetings, students etc. The role therefore will include occasional weekend and evening working.
• To contribute to a communication programme utilising email, meetings, newsletters, twitter, Facebook, written educational material and press articles appropriate to the different sectors engaged on catchment.
• To deliver and encourage the uptake of UU catchment offers to improve and protect raw water quality. To develop new schemes and interventions appropriate to the pollutant of concern.
• To project manage small scale capital works (fencing, guttering, tree planting) professional advice, venue hire, sample analysis etc.
• To monitor, update and input risks into the Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSP) and deliver relevant DWSP and Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) actions. Identified risks should be mapped using GIS.
• To liaise and work with local initiatives including the CaBa group to minimise duplication of catchment work and maximise grant income.
• To arrange and manage a cross sector steering group for each Safeguard Zone project.

Knowledge and Skills

• 
  Further education qualification in Agriculture, Land and Water management or Environmental Science.
• An excellent understanding of UK agricultural and land management issues together with demonstrable experience of working in or with agriculture is essential.
• Stakeholder engagement experience with proven ability to engage with the farming community successfully is essential.
• Proven experience in writing and giving external presentations to both large and small audiences
• Excellent communication, organisation and report writing skills.
• An ability to prioritise, to be self-motivated and to motivate and inspire others.
• Established project management skills
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other programmes including ARCGIS.
• A good working knowledge of diffuse water pollution issues and catchment management
• A good understanding of the Drinking Water Safety Plan approach to water quality risk management
• Full driving licence
• FACTS and/or BASIS are highly advantageous but not essential
• Agronomy experience would be highly desirable

Additional Information

• 
  To work in a small team based at a water treatment works outside Chester.
• Own transport and willingness to travel across the south catchment area (Warrington, Cheshire, Wirral, Shropshire, North and East Wales) and wider business area.
• May require occasional weekend and evening work but this is very rare and lots of notice is provided