Working for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Everyone who works with us or in one of our agencies and public bodies has a part to play in achieving our vision of ‘creating a great place for people to live’. The work we do impacts the lives of everyone living in the UK - from the food they eat and the air they breathe, to the water they drink.

A great place for people to live

People who work for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs all play their part in creating a healthier environment, developing a world-leading food and farming industry, expanding a thriving rural economy and securing robust defences against natural threats and hazards such as flooding and animal and plant diseases.

This is a particularly exciting time to join the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. We are one of the lead government departments delivering a successful exit from the European Union. This will fundamentally transform the work we do and how we deliver it. We are embracing this opportunity to become even more efficient, focussed and innovative.

Filleting a Fish Demonstration

Our people come from a wide variety of backgrounds and include policy makers, scientists and research specialists. Join us, and you will be at the heart of this change - helping us to secure a more sustainable future for the UK.

A Portrait of Elliott Rae at the Department for The Environment Food and Rural Affairs

People are becoming more open to change, and to working differently. We have some very involved, visible leaders, too.

Elliott RaeProject Race Manager
Tractor Ploughing a Field
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We safeguard the natural environment and sustain a thriving rural economy

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We play a major role in people's life, from the food we eat, to the air we breathe

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We're developing the Nature Recovery network to provide 500,000 hectares of wildlife habitat

Nicola Robinson Smiling To Camera

I joined the Civil Service after five years in the private sector. I joined Defra because it has one of the biggest EU exit portfolios in government. It gave me the opportunity to be at the heart of the conversation, during the biggest period of change in government policy for generations.

Nicola RobinsonDomestics Fisheries Policy, Marine and Fisheries

We want everyone to be the best they can be. You will have access to learning and development, mentors and coaches to help you progress your career and build on your skills. Your professional development will be encouraged and supported.

Our comprehensive benefits offer includes:

  • generous annual leave
  • a contributory pension
  • staff bonuses and recognition
  • volunteering days 
  • childcare vouchers and other salary sacrifice options
  • maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay

 

What you could do

We promote inclusivity and value equality and diversity. We value and support all our employees, have strong and proactive employee networks, special leave policies, workplace adjustments for those who need them, flexible working and diversity talent programmes to help everyone irrespective of background.

Oak Tree

Campaign branches out to protect UK's mighty oaks

Action Oak contributes to the government’s 25-year Environment Plan by helping to protect the country's 121 million precious oak trees for future generations.

Peatlands Landscape at Sunset

Grants for Peatlands Restoration

England's iconic peatlands will benefit from new government funds with an area the size of 10,000 football pitches to be restored to peat forming condition

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