The role
Would you like to lead Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) expertise in water quality modelling and help shape the future of Wales' water environment?
This is an exciting new opportunity to establish and lead NRW's water quality modelling capability, complementing our existing freshwater quality and marine modelling expertise. In this influential role, you will use your technical knowledge and professional experience to develop and deliver a forward-looking modelling programme that supports environmental protection, drives water quality improvements, and informs strategic decision-making across the organisation.
Working across a diverse range of water quality issues, you will collaborate with colleagues at all levels and from a variety of disciplines, giving you a unique opportunity to influence priorities, share expertise and help shape NRW's approach to environmental management. You will be encouraged to bring fresh thinking, develop innovative solutions, and apply your specialist knowledge to complex environmental challenges.
Depending on your experience and interests, your remit may extend beyond water environment modelling to include ecological and hydraulic modelling, providing broad opportunities for professional development and impact. You will also build strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, the Environment Agency and other national partners, ensuring that NRW remains at the forefront of evidence-led environmental management.
This is a highly rewarding role for someone who is passionate about using science, evidence and innovation to protect and improve Wales' natural resources for future generations.
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 Ruth Johnston at ruth.johnston@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams.
About us
At NRW, we are committed to the sustainable management of Wales' natural resources, helping to create a healthier, more resilient environment for people, nature and the economy. As Wales' environmental regulator, we play a vital role in safeguarding our water, land and air while supporting sustainable development across the nation.
The Water Quality Policy Team sits within our Strategy, Policy and Evidence Directorate and provides leadership on some of NRW's most important water quality priorities. The team is responsible for developing and shaping NRW's policy on wastewater, groundwater and bathing waters, helping to ensure that Wales' water environment is protected and enhanced.
We also play a key role in monitoring water industry investment programmes, including the delivery of Asset Management Plans (AMPs), and provide expert input into Ofwat's Price Reviews to help secure environmental improvements and long-term benefits for customers and the environment.
Joining the team means becoming part of a collaborative and knowledgeable group of specialists who are passionate about delivering evidence-based solutions, influencing national policy, and making a lasting difference to Wales' natural environment.
What you will do
- Lead and project manage specific and complex issues, including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest in relation to our approach to modelling water quality impacts.
- Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
- Retain ownership and oversight of NRW water quality modelling policy to ensure integrity with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
- Ensure appropriate liaison with the Environment Agency, academic institutions and other water quality modelling experts in Wales and the UK to promote consistency where required in cross border catchments, develop best practice and maintain expertise by growing a professional network.
- Lead the requirements for, and commission the assessment of, water quality models and plans, including providing or commissioning audits. Acting as the intelligent client for these assessments as appropriate.
- Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
- Maintain and enhance your extensive knowledge and experience in water quality modelling and the principles and applications of water quality modelling for regulation and planning purposes. Also, maintain a working knowledge of water quality modelling in the water industry and other sector(s).
- Support the development of tools and procedures to facilitate data analysis and processing enabling interpretation and reporting on environmental data and turning data into locally relevant evidence.
- Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Groups, to prepare defined products as required.
- Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.
- 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.
- Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to water quality and environmental regulation; Welsh & UK Governments and EU policy drivers in water quality as set out in the WG Water Strategy; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
- Substantial knowledge and previous experience in the development and application of all aspects of water quality modelling and the principles and application of water quality modelling for regulation and water planning purposes.
- Complex knowledge of a variety of water quality modelling software to model impacts on health and the environment from new and existing discharges/ sectors,
- Knowledge and practical understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders directly involved with delivering water quality policy and objectives as well as working with those benefiting from interventions across Wales.
- Regulatory, Water Industry experience on regulatory water quality modelling or academic experience. A degree or equivalent in an appropriate numerate or science subject with high numeracy is essential.
- Able to develop/appraise complex technical information and data to a range of audiences from technically proficient to non-technical.
- In-depth understanding of the water quality portfolio of legislation and policy and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery.
- Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
- You will be a member of a relevant professional institution such as CIWEM and/ or working towards membership.
- Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
- Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in SPE as required.
- As an expert you will need to be an excellent communicator, be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and be a strong team worker.
Welsh Language level requirements
- Essential: Level A1 - Entry 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.
Additional Information
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.
Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route.
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 equal 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.
You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English, and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who want to work full-time, part-time, or job share.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the closing date to apply.