Parke, Bovey Tracey
About us
Dartmoor National Park Authority works in partnership with local and national stakeholders to conserve and enhance Dartmoor as a vibrant, living, working landscape and community teeming with natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
Bold solutions and urgent action are needed to address the climate and nature crises. In response, DNPA have launched an ambitious new nature enhancement strategy to restore natural processes at a catchment scale. The health of Dartmoor’s rivers, peatlands and wetlands is core to this.
The Dartmoor Headwaters Programme will enhance rivers, peatlands and wetlands for environmental and societal benefits. This is the next phase of an ambitious project funded by the Environment Agency (EA) to reduce flooding and increase biodiversity by working with natural processes in priority headwaters.
We, at Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Environment Agency, are looking for officers to join the growing team to build on previous project successes and deliver a wide range of natural flood management (NFM) measures as part of the Dartmoor Headwaters team.
There are 4 full-time positions available. These are fixed-term contracts until October 2029; subject to project funding, we anticipate the opportunity to extend until 2033.
The Role
The Dartmoor Headwaters Officers will promote and advise on NFM, working with farmers, landowners and the local communities to implement and monitor measures to help reduce the risk of flooding to properties and other infrastructure. This work will also deliver additional benefits for the natural environment, carbon storage and biodiversity.
The post holder will work with the team to produce specifications and tender documents, recruit and manage contractors in line with agreed plans. They will work closely with partners, promote and advocate the project to a range of audiences and communicate the benefits and effects of the restoration programme.
The Benefits
- Salary of £34,434 - £39,152 per annum (pay award pending)
- Generous annual leave and flexitime policies
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to electric vehicle pool car fleet
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Beautiful office location on National Trust estate, with free parking and café on site
- Discounts at National Park Visitor Centres
- Free parking in our car parks on Dartmoor
About you
Ideally, you will have knowledge and demonstrable experience of delivering NFM, catchment projects, soils and/or wetland restoration. You will have substantial experience of building positive working relationships with farmers and rural communities to support sustainable businesses and deliver environmental outcomes and will have worked extensively with contractors to deliver high-quality outcomes.
Although a background in delivering nature-based solutions is preferable, a critical part of the role involves good communication, the ability to liaise confidently with contractors and farmers and strong project management. You will be comfortable promoting key messages to a wide range of audiences and building positive relationships with stakeholders.
When applying for this post, please highlight your suitability by referring to the essential and desirable requirements set out in the Person Specification. This information will be used in deciding those to be shortlisted.
The post is based at the Authority’s head office at Parke, Bovey Tracey, but will involve travel to other sites within the National Park.
If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Kendal Archer, Dartmoor Headwaters Manager.
Closing Date: Sunday 23rd August at 5pm
Interview Dates: 3rd and 10th September 2026
Dartmoor National Park Authority is a disability confident and an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.
So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as a Dartmoor Headwaters Officer, please apply via the button shown
Salary description
£34434.00 - £39152.00 per year