Monitoring Officer, Teifi Demonstrator Programme in London

Are you passionate about environmental monitoring and using evidence to support the recovery of Wales' natural environment? We are looking for a Monitoring Officer to join a multi-disciplinary team supporting the Teifi Demonstrator Programme and the development of Teifi Fyw, an ambitious National Lottery Heritage Fund project focused on restoring the ecological resilience of the River Teifi catchment.

The Teifi Demonstrator Programme brings together over 20 organisations to address water quality challenges across the River Teifi catchment through collaborative and innovative environmental solutions. Teifi Fyw is a partnership project involving nine core partners, working to restore habitats and reconnect people with the natural and cultural heritage of the Teifi.

In this role, you will support the planning and delivery of environmental monitoring programmes, leading on survey and monitoring activities across freshwater water quality, ecology, fisheries, and terrestrial species and habitats. You will analyse, interpret and report environmental data, helping to provide the evidence needed to inform project delivery and environmental outcomes.

You will work closely with NRW Analytical Services, Operations, Marine and River teams, and external partners to coordinate sampling requirements and deliver high-quality monitoring programmes. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-profile, partnership-led projects while developing your technical expertise across a range of environmental monitoring disciplines. This is a fixed-term position until 31 March 2028.

Driving is essential to this role as the post holder will be required to travel to sampling sites and carry out spot sampling activities. You must hold a full and current UK driving license.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

What you will do:

• Collect and process environmental monitoring samples.
• Undertake ad hoc and routine system administration, data quality assurance, analysis and reporting.
• Provide specialist, monitoring technical advice and guidance to the Teifi Fyw partnership, helping ensure that decisions are based on sound technical judgement, in line with current legislation and best practice.
• Produce technical reports analysing and interpreting local datasets for the development of the Teifi Fyw Delivery Phase Application and for other relevant workstreams of the Teifi Demonstrator Programme.
• Help ensure that NRW's monitoring data is collected and stored to the quality standards prescribed by European and UK legislation and by NRW policy.
• Liaise with Senior EAO and EA TL's in planning, scheduling and tracking the annual survey and monitoring programmes, with regards to sampling activities.
• Contribute to delivery of survey and monitoring programmes.
• Guide, advise and support the Teifi Demonstrator Programme team ensuring decisions are made on sound technical data and information.
• Help resolve local issues by providing scientific and technical advice/interpretation of monitoring data.
• Assist in the development, implementation of new monitoring and reporting methods, including collaboration with partner organisations at a local level.
• Respond to requests for information relating to monitoring data, within specified deadlines.
• Maintain and procure specialist sampling equipment.
• Ability to swim and be confident working in water. (Subject to discipline)
• A current full valid licence to drive NRW fleet vehicles. (Cars and vans)
• 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:

• Experience of analysing samples, field-based monitoring/surveillance, interpreting and reporting on environmental data and practical knowledge of a wide range of monitoring activities and methodologies.
• Expertise in terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology, water quality fisheries.
• Excellent report writing skills and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Experience of monitoring data management systems, as well as practical understanding of technical monitoring solutions and practices.
• Good analytical skills including statistics, and knowledge of data handling including GIS.
• An excellent communicator with good organisational skills.
• Ability to undertake fieldwork in sometimes physically demanding environments.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with partners, stakeholders and funding bodies to support delivery.

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.

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.

We are 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 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.