Agricultural Consultant (Student Placement)

The Vacancy
Student Placement – Agricultural Consultant
Company: RSK ADAS Ltd Agriculture and Land Management (ALM) team
Location: Flexible (likely to be Bristol, Wolverhampton, Leeds, Hereford or Mansfield)
ADAS ALM, a member of RSK Group Ltd, is looking to recruit motivated and ambitious students to complete a 12-month placement. We are a leading national consultancy business working across the land, environment and agriculture sectors. Working as part of a team of agricultural consultants, you will gain experience across a variety of consultancy services and be involved in delivering contracts to a wide range of clients including farmers, landowners, agricultural supply chain, utility companies, local and national government and its agencies.
Successful applicants will support ADAS consultants in delivery of agricultural and farm business consultancy and related technical and environmental management advice to farmers and landowners. You will be expected to contribute to delivery of contracts and will also be required to work flexibly within teams and in technical areas of the business. You will also work with experienced consultants supporting them in the delivery of a range of services which include:
Report writing for ADAS clients
Farm business management and Agri-Environment advice and applications
Farm infrastructure advice including slurry storage and design of biobeds/pesticide handling systems
Agricultural engineering and mechanisation advice
Nutrient planning and soil husbandry
Biodiversity and carbon auditing
Attending farm visits to support the delivery of tailored advice and practical solutions
Crop and soil sampling
Depending on your experience and aptitude, you will be expected to take responsibility for specific tasks and parts of consultancy work. This will involve being able to follow a project through from commencement to completion. The post will involve some travel away from office base, including overnight stays, and there will be opportunities to work on projects in other parts of the country. A full driving licence is required with access to your own vehicle.
We are committed to providing a friendly and supportive working environment for our staff, with training and career opportunities for all. You will benefit from a dedicated management team who will ensure you get the most out of this opportunity. But don’t just take our word for the fact that we think we’re great...here’s what some of our previous placement students had to say about us:
“This year has been an incredible opportunity to deepen my knowledge and gain hands-on experience in practical, on-farm advising. … I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and support ADAS has given me to help me find the path I want to pursue my career as an agricultural and environmental consultant.” Asia Law, 2024-25 Placement Student, Harper Adams
“I've really enjoyed my placement at ADAS working with the Agriculture and Land Management team, the team are very supportive and keen to help you learn! I have enjoyed the variety of work that I have been offered, with the opportunity to work with different consultants on a range of subjects, including livestock, business, soils, infrastructure and much more! I really feel that the placement has given me a wide range of knowledge and skills that I'm confident will benefit me in my final year at university and my future career.
The best thing about placement has been the opportunity to work alongside experienced senior consultants on projects that interested me, which has helped me learn about different styles of consultancy. A particular highlight of my placement has been achieving my BASIS Soil and Water Management qualification, after being given the opportunity to join colleagues in taking the course and exam. This opportunity has allowed me to begin to gain professional qualifications for my future career while still in my placement year of university.
If someone was thinking about applying for a placement with ADAS, I'd tell them to definitely take the opportunity! The variety of experience you get working at ADAS is so valuable; you'll definitely be amazed how much you've learned when you get to the end of the year!” Anwen Hardwick 2025-26 Placement Student, Aberystwyth University
Key responsibilities:
Support senior consultants in the provision of agricultural, environmental and farm business advice
Undertake farm/site visits - engage directly with farms, agricultural enterprises, and rural sites to provide hands-on consultancy and support.
Carry out background research, literature reviews and data analysis
Draft technical reports
Use ADAS mapping software and modelling packages
Accompany lead consultants to client meetings and presentations. Contribute to sales and business development, writing proposals and tenders
Attend training events and conferences and build both personal and team profile and represent ADAS
Build internal and external contacts and develop own experience and expertise
Demonstrate positive thinking and a commercial approach to contracts
Other duties as requested by a manager, including working in other technical areas when required.
Attributes required:
Willingness to learn, seeking assistance when required, working as part of a team and be self-driven
Good verbal and written communication skills
Good numerical, research and analytical skills
Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft office programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
An understanding of UK agricultural practice and business issues
An awareness of current challenges facing farmers and land managers in terms of environmental, policy and financial issues
Flexibility in the range of work undertaken and working pattern
Full driving licence and own transport
Car and expenses:
When required to work at locations which require you to stay away from home the company will pay subsistence and accommodation rates within normal company policies
Mileage rate of 45p per mile for the use of own vehicle, subject to having the necessary business insurance cover
No accommodation will be provided
Additional Benefits
A wide range of training opportunities available
A benefits programme which includes discounted gym membership and staff discount scheme
Health cash plan and access to mental health support
Contributory Pension Scheme
Applications will close on Sunday 15th November 2026 with first stage interviews taking place shortly after.
RSK is an Inclusive Employer.
#RSKGroup #ADAS #Students #Placement #Agricultrual #LandManagement
About Us
ADAS is the UK’s largest independent environmental and agricultural consultancy. Our goal as a company is two-fold: secure British food and enhance the environment. Established over 75 years ago and part of RSK Group since 2016, we offer high-quality, research-based tailored solutions for a wide-ranging client base. From working with small and medium-sized landowners to helping shape government policy with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we are adept at collecting and analysing data and creating bespoke strategies to achieve the best outcome for our client’s unique needs. We are a trusted brand when it comes to managing the countryside: we do more than simply tick checkboxes; we will formulate a strategy that benefits the landowner and nature – our approach is fluid and changes according to requirements.
As well as agricultural research and consultancy, ADAS provides ecology, arboriculture, archaeology, planning, and landscape services to a growing base of clients working across multiple sectors. Our technical specialists have supported both local and nationally significant utility, transport, infrastructure, government and development projects. Some of our client relationships span over 40 years. We evolve and innovate with our clients, thereby ensuring that we provide a practical, reliable, and responsive service.
ADAS is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.
At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.
Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds,

Work arrangement
Yes