Lead Specialist Noise Advisor

Team / Directorate: Air Quality and Noise Team / Evidence, Policy & Permitting

Starting salary: £45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type: Permanent

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome)

Interview date: 2 July 2025

Post number: 203541

The role

The Lead Noise Specialist will lead the provision of expert advice and knowledge on acoustics, noise control and soundscape to shape/inform Government policy, organisational approach for Wales and stakeholder agendas, and lead on NRW's noise policy/position guidance in working with Welsh Government and other UK environment agencies, on provision of technical support on noise/vibration and its monitoring and assessment to NRW permitting and area operations. This role reports to the Air Quality and Noise Team leader, sitting within the Integrated Evidence Group in the Knowledge and Evidence Department.

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. Interviews will take place 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.

About us

The Air Quality and Noise team's main role is to lead in the air quality & noise monitoring and modelling and provide impact assessment advice to EPR Permitting decision making & compliance check and Development Planning consultation across all directorates and regulatory activities with aerial (including noise) emissions, to improve air quality and noise in Wales.

What you will do

• Lead the development and provision of the advice and guidance on all aspects of a Noise service for Wales, ensuring that local decisions are consistent and are in line with agreed government approach.
• Lead on NRW's noise policy/position guidance in working with Welsh Government and other UK environment agencies, on provision of technical support on noise/vibration and its monitoring and assessment to Areas, Permitting, and Legal.
• Provide guidance training and mentoring on noise/vibration monitoring and management to Areas, permitting and legal.
• Have the ability to develop and appraise a noise monitoring assessment in a complex scenario.
• Act as the main NRW noise contact in the UK wide noise network to exchange noise impact assessment knowledge, approach and best practice.
• Maintain and update noise guidance including UK Environmental Agencies noise and vibration management: environmental permits.
• You will require experience of working with industry to analyse and improve noise impact.
• Manage NRW's noise network.
• Support with 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.
• 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. The post holder would require a degree or equivalent in an appropriate engineering or science subject and an advanced level qualification in acoustics, e.g., the Institute of Acoustic Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control or work towards achieving this within 2 years. Either be a chartered member of the Institute of Acoustics or have the requisite experience to meet the requirements of becoming one. Regulatory or industrial experience with a particular emphasis in Acoustics, with significant recent acoustics practice. Familiarity with the latest techniques for noise and vibration monitoring, including equipment, impact assessments and appropriate prevention and mitigation measures for noise and vibration control. 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: A1 - Entry level (able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh) previous Level 1. 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.

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, or religion. We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values. 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 a 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.