Protected Species Advisor in Cardiff

Location: Cardiff - Cathays Park, Cardiff - Rivers House, Swansea - Maes Newydd

Grade/Salary range: 5: £37,594 - £41,428

Working pattern: Full time

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 22/02/2026

The role:

Do you want to make a long-term difference to the people and environment of Wales? Are you passionate about protecting rare species and committed to supporting the delivery of sustainable management of natural resources? We have an exciting opportunity to join our Wales Wide Protected Species Team as a Protected Species Adviser. You will be working as part of a team that advises on the potential impacts of a broad cross section of proposals on protected species, with a particular focus on species licence applications and development planning advice. At the time of a climate and nature emergency, the advice you provide will contribute directly to the conservation of some of Wales' most iconic and endangered species.

In this role, the appointed candidate will provide technical expertise and guidance to internal and external customers in relation to the following species of animals protected by law: Bats (all species), Great Crested Newt, Dormice, Otters, Natterjack Toad, Sand Lizard, Red Squirrel, Pine Marten and Water Voles.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and adaptable individual with strong communication skills to join our team. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate experience in ecology, conservation and principles of mitigation for a range of the above protected species, good communication skills and customer management.

As an organisation, we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at either our Cardiff or Llandarcy offices and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance. Interviews will be face-to-face on 04/03/2026 (details of location will be shared in advance). 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.

What you will do:

• Provide technical advice on licence applications, amendments and related consultations to the Species Permitting Service to support licence determination and associated work ensuring advice is robust, evidence-based and delivered to deadline.
• Provide technical advice to development projects including nationally significant infrastructure proposals, ensuring advice is robust, evidence-based and delivered to deadline.
• Provide technical advice to Local Development Plans and other sub-regional strategies and plans, ensuring advice is robust, evidence-based and delivered to deadline.
• Contribute to the preparation of information in relation to challenges against NRW development planning advice or licensing determinations, including attendance at Appeals and Inquiries.
• Deliver the Domestic Bat Advice Service.
• Provide advice to support the management of designated sites where Protected Species are present.
• Contribute advice to multifunctional place planning such as Area Statements and biodiversity resilience plans and programmes.
• Provide technical advice support to the Police in investigating Protected Species offences and contribute to wider Protected Species compliance activities as appropriate.
• Contribute to the delivery of surveillance and monitoring programmes.
• Develop and maintain effective customer relationships (internal and external) to ensure good understanding and the efficient delivery of a fit-for-purpose advice service.
• Produce auditable records of actions and outcomes to justify and demonstrate that all legal and procedural requirements have been met.
• 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).
• Required to take part in incident response activities.
• 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 the ecology and conservation of, and approaches to mitigation suitable for the range of species protected by wildlife legislation.
• A working knowledge of wildlife legislation and its application.
• Good written and spoken communication and presentational skills, with the ability to write clearly for a wide range of target audiences.
• Able to negotiate and work with a wide range of people, including landowners, partner organisations and the public.
• Able to work effectively in team/collaborative situations.
• Able to currently and legally drive a car in the UK.

Welsh Language level requirements:

Essential: Level A1 Entry Level. 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.