Farm Advisor

Job Title: Farm Advisor Location: The Boyne River Catchment, Co. Meath. Reports to: The Boyne Rivers Trust Programme Manager and Board Salary: €21,000 pa. Contract: Part-time (18.75 hours per week) - Fixed-term - 1 year (extension subject to funding) Start Date: from end April 2025 Boyne Rivers Trust (BRT) is an environmental charity to the conservation and protection of the Boyne River catchment. The vision of the Trust is for a Thriving River Catchment, valued and protected by its communities . The aim of the trust is to protect, enhance and restore the water bodies of the Boyne catchment through community-led projects and activities. JOB SUMMARY The Farm Advisor will work with farmers, across the Boyne catchment, to identify potential changes in agricultural and land management practices, intended to bring about improved water quality and freshwater habitats at a catchment-scale, whilst also benefiting farm businesses. The post-holder will undertake one-to-one farm visits, working with landowners to identify ways to reduce the risk and impact of diffuse and point-source water pollution from agriculture. This will be done through non-regulatory farmyard and field assessments to identify possible water protection measures and the production of bespoke farm water management plans. The Farm Advisor will also aim to raise awareness, improve understanding and acceptance amongst farmers and land managers of diffuse and point-source pollution from agriculture and its impact on water quality and the wider water environment. Engagement with farmers in the Boyne catchment will seek to create, through a voluntary approach, a sense of ownership and achievement within the farming community in relation to improving water quality and water dependant species and habitats in the catchments across the Boyne Rivers Trust s operational area. This is an opportunity to be at the heart of a small, growing, and enthusiastic team. This new role is essential to the growth and development of the Trust to make a real difference to the biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems of the Boyne Catchment. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Your duties and responsibilities will include: 1. Providing Farm Advice on water-friendly farming - Developing a programme of work in conjunction with the BRT team. - Working with and advising farmers on opportunities to improve infrastructure and change land management practices, underpinned by a need to reduce diffuse and point source agricultural pollution to surface water. - Undertake non-regulatory farm advice visits and identify runoff sources, pathways, and receptors. - Prepare a series of farm water management plans, supported by field-scale maps. - Liaise with partner organisations and Government Agencies to inform farm infrastructure improvements. - Provide practical advice on nature-positive soil and nutrient management and follow-up visits to increase the likelihood of behavioural change and environmental improvement. - Promote joined up thinking in the catchment through effective communication with others operating in the catchment, including DAFM, EPA, LAWPRO, IFI, local authority, Teagasc etc. - Document and produce a pipeline of potential on-farm water quality protection projects. 2. Delivery on-farm demonstration events and encourage peer-to-peer learning in the agri-sector and amongst the public. - Co-ordinate, deliver and participate in on-farm demonstration and best practice events to help with the promotion and awareness raising of the core messages and schemes of the programme. 3. General duties - Contribute to the identification and securing of additional funding and for the Boyne Rivers Trust to deliver its charitable objectives. - Contribute to all internal and external reporting requirements, including quarterly Board meetings. - Carry out all duties and responsibilities with reasonable care for the health and safety of oneself and any other persons and co-operate fully with the Boyne Rivers Trust in health and safety matters. - Undertake additional tasks as required by the Trust with the evolution of the role. PERSONAL SPECIFICATION Essential Knowledge and Experience • Relevant third-level qualification in Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, or related discipline. OR 3 years (minimum) experience in a nature-based land management/agricultural advisory role. • Experience working with nature-based agricultural systems and infrastructure. • Knowledge of issues of Water Quality and pollution pressures on farms. • Knowledge of environmental legislation relating to the farmed environment and agricultural land management. • Knowledge of Ireland s Nature and Farming policies including the Water Action Plan, Climate Action Plan, Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). • Knowledge of methods of reducing nutrient, sediment, pesticide and pathogen loss to water bodies. • Knowledge of how GIS can be used to record and interrogate geospatial data. • Experience in communication with and developing strong working relationships with farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders. • Experience in providing clear, concise written material in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences. • Experience of delivering projects on time, to budget and in line with agreed outputs and outcomes. • Must be able to work with minimal supervision. • Must be computer literate in all basic software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). • Experience in using and applying Risk Assessments and Lone-working procedures. • Excellent time management and the ability to prioritise a varied workload. • Team player, willingness to work with others and share best practice. • Must be willing to work for short periods at weekends and bank holidays. • Must have a full driving licence and use of own vehicle. Desirable Knowledge and Experience • Experience in delivering conservation projects in an agricultural setting. • Experience of advising on agricultural grant schemes (e.g. ACRES) • BASIS Soil and Water qualification. • Knowledge of designated site protection, status and assessments. • Knowledge of freshwater ecosystems. • Proficiency with photo and video documentation. • Proficiency with Social Media platforms. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT • Annual leave entitlement is 25 days pro rata, plus bank holidays, per year. • Weekend and evening work may be required. • Flexible and TOIL working operated. • This is a fully remote role. • Mileage and all reasonable expenses reimbursed. • Travel across Ireland may be required on occasion. Closing Date: April 1st 2025 5pm

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