The role
We’re offering an exciting opportunity to join our South East Environmental Assessment and Advice Team as a Senior Environmental Assessment Officer - Terrestrial Ecology. In this influential role, you’ll help shape and deliver the future of terrestrial monitoring across Natural Resources Wales, contributing directly to our 30x30 biodiversity reporting commitments.
You’ll bring extensive fieldwork experience and technical expertise in terrestrial ecology. You will undertake monitoring on a range of habitats and species across the network of protected sites in Wales. These will vary from detailed surveys, lighter touch field assessments to desk based evaluations. Your high quality evidence will enable effective site management, influence policy and help fulfil our reporting requirements.
A key part of your role will be supporting the implementation of NRW’s terrestrial monitoring strategy—working closely with colleagues across head office and operational teams to ensure successful delivery.
As a senior and experienced terrestrial ecologist you’ll also mentor and develop members of our virtual terrestrial team. You’ll assist with programme planning tracking in addition to carrying out monitoring activities. This is a dynamic and collaborative role with real impact on Wales’ environmental future.
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.
To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Pete Clabburn at pete.clabburn@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will take place on DD/MM/YYYY through Microsoft Teams
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Natural Resources Wales welcomes applications from non-UK citizens who are eligible to apply under this route, subject to confirmation by the Home Office.
Please note that while we may be able to support the Certificate of Sponsorship required for a visa application, the organisation does not cover the cost of the visa itself, including any associated fees for dependants.
The applicant must still meet the UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility and Requirement. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
About us
The South East Environmental Assessment and Advice Team is a multifunctional team consisting of terrestrial and freshwater ecologists, fisheries staff and data collection officers. The team delivers statutory monitoring and advice across these disciplines, including water quality, in South East Wales and beyond.
What you will do
- Lead and co-ordinate specialist, monitoring and/or earth science technical advice and guidance to internal and external customers, from a range of sources; ensure that decisions are based on sound technical judgement, in line with current legislation and best practice.
- Provide professional/technical monitoring, assessment and reporting and/or earth science expertise to influence and inform operational priorities and NRW policies.
- Ensure that NRW’s monitoring data is collected and stored to the quality standards prescribed by European and UK legislation and by NRW policy.
- Review evidence of new and emerging environmental monitoring technologies and their applicability, analysing complex information and benefits for use by NRW.
- Identify and produce technical reports analysing and interpreting national and local datasets for operational work, national policy decisions, public enquiries, court appeals etc.
- Provide evidence and act as expert witness for prosecutions, public enquiries and judicial reviews.
- Take a lead role for area and Wales-wide monitoring projects including scoping, resourcing, appointing contractors and budget management. Take a lead on specialist contribution to delivery of survey and monitoring programmes.
- Lead on the development, implementation of new monitoring and reporting methods, including collaboration with partner organisations at a local and national level (e.g. EA, SEPA, SNH, JNCC, NE, Coal Authority, utility companies, Welsh Government and JNCC).
- For earth science specialists, provide specialist technical advice on planning casework and the management of protected sites (including SSSI notifications, site management work, enforcement action etc.).
- Provide earth science technical input into strategic and regional plans such as Area Statements, Local Development Plans, planning guidance etc, and contribute to maintaining the scientific integrity of the designated sites network.
- Support partner organisations in promoting nature conservation and SMNR.
- Provide ongoing technical development to the team, leading and coaching on new and existing procedures and techniques.
- Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
- Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
- Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.
- A first or second-class degree (or equivalent) in a biological, environmental science or geographical or earth science subject or relevant experience in discipline.
- High level expertise in terrestrial ecology monitoring and technical methods.
- Expertise in interpreting and reporting on environmental data and undertaking monitoring activities.
- Expertise in work planning, budgeting and contract management.
- Excellent report writing skills, and knowledge and experience of implementing relevant UK and European legislation coupled with expert interpretation of data against legislative drivers.
- Experience of supervising, coaching and mentoring.
- High level analytical skills including statistics, and expert knowledge of data handling including GIS.
- A current full UK valid licence to drive NRW fleet vehicles. (cars and vans)
Welsh Language level requirements
Essential: Choose a language level
Desirable: Choose a language level
Level A1 - Entry level
Level B2 - Upper intermediate level
Level C1 - Proficiency level
Level C2 - Higher proficiency level
Welsh language levels
Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
commitment to professional development
health and wellbeing benefits and support
weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.
Please keep reading
We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
