Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment?
If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.
The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:
• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing
We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.
Find out more about the work of Natural England at
Natural England requires a Chartered Surveyor to carry out land agency work in order to support nature recovery and manage natural capital and ecosystem services on the Natural England Estate. The role is free from fee target pressure and offers flexible working opportunities.
This is an opportunity to work for the Estate Management arm of Natural England who hold a mixed leasehold and freehold estate of some 65,000ha of land, workshops, offices, and other buildings. The Estate comprises 134 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) covering some of the most important and iconic wildlife sites in England.
Chartered Surveyors are essential to the Estate fulfilling its conservation and income potential whilst meeting the organisations legal obligations and providing value for money.
You will be joining a national team of Surveyors/Land Agents working across the country and be part of a wider team of conservation professionals. This role will predominantly cover casework in the East Midlands and Yorkshire, albeit national strategic work will also be required at times.
The role offers flexibility for home or office working or a mixture of the two. There is flexibility in your location base, however it is expected that you spend 2 – 3 days per fortnight working with the Area Teams and on their NNRs, supporting local delivery. You would be expected to work out of an NE office once a week (minimum).
Job description
Key areas of work include:
• Estate Management - manage all tenure casework for a particular geographic area.
• Professional advice - the post holder will provide advice on casework, legal and valuation matters related to the management of the Natural England estate. This may include engagement of internal and external advisers on such matters. Internally, this will involve working with our Area Teams, NNR staff, the National NNR team and Natural England’s legal team.
• Work with wider NE teams to provide Land Agent input to emerging policy areas and/or schemes and to align the NE Estate processes with NE regulatory needs – e.g. tenure and protected sites such as Telecoms or wildfowling guidance.
• Income generation - explore traditional and new potential of Estate assets and drive forward opportunities from emerging environmental markets such as Biodiversity Net Gain & Nutrient Mitigation.
• Acquisitions and declarations - advise the relevant geographic team on NNR acquisitions and National Nature Reserve designation.
• NNR records - updating and maintaining of property records and mapping.
• Finance - work with support staff to deliver accurate payments and receipts from the Estate tenure and assist with procurement for valuation and other contracts.
• Contribute to reviews and updates of upcoming Government policy and Estate Management procedures.
Benefits
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.
Natural England provides excellent opportunities for career progression, training and development tailored to your role. From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Everyone has 10 days to devote to personal learning and development, as well as an additional 3 days to volunteer.
You will have access to Civil Service Pension and benefits arrangements and generous leave allowances (33 day per year pro rata), as well as flexible working, to help you achieve a work-life balance that works for you and us.
You will have access to a range of benefits including discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to work scheme, and childcare vouchers. You can also join the Civil Service Sport club which offer discounts on a range of sports and leisure opportunities as well as social events.
Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated.
We’re committed to fairness and equality for all, so you feel valued for who you are and what you do. Our shared values help us work together to benefit the communities we serve. Our thriving employee-led diversity networks support our inclusive culture and contribute to our Diversity Action Plan.