Environment Officer (Conservation) in Buckley

The role helps deliver Wales's contribution to the global goal of conserving 30% of land, freshwater and marine environments by 2030. Working as part of NRW's support for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), you'll help create practical management plans for designated sites and work directly with farmers to identify actions that benefit habitats, species and the wider environment. We are recruiting two Environment Officers in North West Wales on fixed‑term appointment until 31/03/2027, with the possibility of permanency. This role will be based out of our Buckley site.

You'll provide technical expertise in protected site management, including regulatory work (assents and consents), proactive conservation advice, developing partnerships and management agreements. Your role will support NRW's biodiversity priorities and offer specialist input to colleagues and projects across the organisation. You may also contribute to broader environmental management, including incident response, water resources, land and water quality, and work linked to delivering Water Framework Directive outcomes. You'll work alongside established operational teams and play a key role in improving environmental outcomes on the ground. Driving is essential to this role. You must hold a full and current UK driving licence and be able to visit remote sites to form opinions that enable the issuing of consents or licences. As an organisation we support flexible working. The appointment will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed.

What You Will Do

• Work with a wide range of internal and external customers including permit holders, landowners, businesses, public bodies, recreation groups, volunteers and third sector organisations to enable others to achieve SMNR.
• Establish, maintain and advise partners to support the development of partnership projects and plans through from concepts to implementation.
• Assess compliance with relevant legislation, permit or consent conditions.
• Where non‑compliance is identified, determine and implement the most appropriate intervention option to ensure a return to compliance quickly.
• Collect evidence for enforcement purposes, in accordance with defined procedures.
• Draft valid consents and assents for operations affecting protected sites and produce required advice, investigations, documentation and reports to agreed quality standards.
• Provide professional local advice and responses to consultations from planning and permitting teams.
• Monitor progress of work, including interpretation of data, contractor management, project delivery or compliance with management agreements or statutory legal notices.
• Play a role in the resilient NRW Incident Management Service that follows NRW process to ensure effective, timely and safe response to incidents.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
• Be committed to your own development through the personal development plan.
• Perform any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Qualifications and Skills

• A good working knowledge of conservation and biodiversity, with experience in these distinct areas of the team's remit.
• An understanding of how your role in a multi‑functional team can contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources.
• Strong and effective self‑management, organisational and ICT skills, including the ability to use specialised IT systems such as GIS.
• The ability to influence, negotiate and gain cooperation of others, including experience of dealing successfully with difficult people or situations.
• Commitment to continuing professional and personal development, expertise and competence through formal and informal learning and certification.
• Hold a current full UK valid licence to drive NRW fleet vehicles (cars and vans).

Welsh Language Requirements

Essential: Level B1 – Intermediate level.

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are committed to equal opportunities and guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.