Development Planning Advisor in Newtownards

The role involves working with passionate individuals who have a background in environmental science, sustainability, or planning to help shape the future of Wales through the Development Planning Advice Service. This service influences strategic land use plans and projects seeking planning consent, providing opportunities to impact sustainable development in Wales.

This role is flexible across North Wales, with regular attendance at the Bangor office expected. As part of the 'Once for Wales' development planning service, you will engage directly with Planning Authorities and developers on various proposals, including energy, transport, housing, economic regeneration, tourism, and agriculture. You will collaborate with technical experts across NRW to provide accurate, robust, and influential advice on topics such as conservation sites, European Protected Species, flood risk, water quality, air quality, contaminated land, and landscape.

We seek a collaborative individual with strong organisation and communication skills and a keen interest in environmental protection and planning. This role offers professional development in the environmental and planning sector, contributing to improving the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales.

As an organisation, we support flexible working. A suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed upon appointment, but regular attendance at the Bangor office is required. Any regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Bryn Jones at bryn.jones@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk. Interviews will be face-to-face, and details of the location will be shared in advance. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS). Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you will do:

• Produce advice for Local Development Plans, ensuring it is robust, evidence-based, and delivered to deadline.
• Provide advice for pre-application enquiries, development management consultations, and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
• Prepare information related to challenges against NRW development planning advice, including attendance at Appeals and Inquiries.
• Develop and maintain effective customer relationships and ensure a good understanding of customer needs.
• Identify opportunities to influence local Development projects and plans early on.
• Maintain auditable records of actions and outcomes to demonstrate compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
• Undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the post.
• Commit to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
• Engage in personal development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Perform any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills:

• Experience in development planning processes or environmental management and legislation.
• Experience of contributing to, applying, and/or reviewing environmental impact assessments.
• Able to communicate effectively with Local Planning Authorities, businesses, and the public.
• Strong self-management and organisational skills.
• Able to analyse complex information and situations, solve problems, and make sound judgements.
• Able to work well as part of a team and lead virtual task groups.

Welsh Language level requirements:

• Essential: Level A2 - Elementary Level
• Desirable: Level B2 - Upper Intermediate

If you do not meet the Essential Welsh language level requirements for this role, your application will not be shortlisted. Those who meet the essential but not the desired Welsh Language level will be expected to develop their Welsh Language skills whilst in role.

Benefits:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97%.
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days.
• Generous leave entitlements for all life needs.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Health and wellbeing benefits and support.
• Weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose.

Equal Opportunities:

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 guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, ensuring our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions, and appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale with annual increments paid each year.

Unless otherwise stated, Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. We want our staff to grow professionally and personally, with opportunities for leadership development and access to further education courses.

We are a bilingual organisation that 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.