Lead Forest Operations Specialist Advisor in Slough

The role involves being the technical lead for Timber Harvesting and/or Forest Management, playing a key role in helping Natural Resources Wales (NRW) maintain the highest standards of sustainable forest management across the Welsh Government Woodland Estate. You will help drive NRW's ambition to be a global leader in the sustainable management of natural resources.

You will lead the development of policies, programmes, plans, strategies and guidance that translate Welsh and UK Government policy, UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) requirements, and industry best practice into practical, effective approaches on the ground. Working closely with colleagues across NRW, including Strategy, Policy and Evidence, Commercial and Operations teams, as well as Welsh Government officials and industry partners, you'll provide expert technical advice and ensure forestry operations are delivered safely, sustainably and to the highest professional standards.

Driving is essential to this role. Access to sites and rural Wales where public transport is not available will be a frequent part of the role requiring the ability to travel flexibly as required by the needs of the role. You must hold a full and current UK driving license.

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.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Matthew Park. Interviews will be face-to-face on 13/11/2026 (details of location will be shared in advance).

What you will do:

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes.
• Retain ownership and oversight of forest operations functional policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches in relation to UKWAS requirements, regulatory and industry standards.
• Commission and deliver monitoring procedures and audits.
• Advise and define knowledge and competency gaps, commission resources, training and programmes to fill the gaps; manage projects, in line with the agreed programme.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the forestry sector, identifying the implications of legislative, technological and market changes for NRW.
• Lead or contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Land Stewardship Business Board, to prepare defined products as required.
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver agreed personal objectives.
• 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.

• Knowledge of Welsh and UK legislation and policy drivers related to forestry and the issues and opportunities for sustainable forest management in public forestry in the UK.
• Knowledge and experience of timber harvesting operations and/or sustainable forest management.
• Knowledge and understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved with the forestry sector and sustainable land management in public forestry in the UK and how to apply this in Wales.
• Working with companies in the Forest Industry and where necessary with local authorities, environmental non-governmental organisations, and National Park Authorities.
• Experience of a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
• Professional membership or working towards professional membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters or another relevant professional body.
• Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
• Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.

Welsh Language level requirements:

Essential: Level A1 - Entry level Welsh language levels. 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're 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.