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- Tasks: Assess and manage species permit applications to protect Wales' natural resources.
- Company: Join Natural Resources Wales, the leading environmental regulator in Wales.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife conservation while working in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant scientific field and customer service experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and support for Welsh language learning.
The predicted salary is between 28700 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Flexible
Grade/Salary range: 4: £33,755 - £36,693
Working pattern: Full time
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 01/03/2026
The role
As a Permitting Officer, you will join a dynamic team of dedicated professionals, handling a diverse portfolio of species permits that vary in complexity and scale. This team is part of our broader Permitting Service, a vital function at the heart of Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Your role will involve assessing permit applications for a range of UK and European protected species for various purposes, including science and conservation, translocation projects, developments, bird control (including lethal control) and commercial forestry, ensuring they align with NRW's policies, processes and guidance.
Your specialist expertise will play a pivotal role in navigating the intricacies of species permitting regimes and applying the relevant legislation to safeguard and manage Wales's natural resources responsibly. Collaboration is at the core of this role. You will work closely with your colleagues in the Species Permitting team and across the wider Permitting Service, sharing responsibilities and contributing to a culture that values efficiency, teamwork, and the unique strengths of every individual. This is a customer-facing role dealing with the general public, industry and ecological consultants.
If you have an interest in wildlife, have customer relations experience, good analytical and report writing skills and enjoy working as part of a team dealing with complex applications, we would welcome your interest. 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 week commencing 9 March 2026 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
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the principal environmental regulator for Wales, working to protect and improve our natural environment for current and future generations. From tackling climate change to improving water quality, we play a vital role in managing Wales's natural resources sustainably. This role sits within our Species Permitting Team, which leads on regulating activities which affect protected species.
What you will do
- Determine the outcome of Environmental licence/permit applications through sound decision making for applications for their assigned regime by carrying out appropriate technical assessment in accordance with NRW policies and procedures where available, and issue, refuse or vary permits to time and budget.
- Support and work collaboratively with the permitting service to ensure process efficiency and consistency of approach.
- Undertake technical screening reports to inform on applications in relation to your subject area.
- Develop and maintain effective customer relationships (internal and external) to ensure good understanding and the efficient delivery of fit for purpose licences and transition into compliance activities.
- Produce appropriate records of decisions, actions and outcomes to justify and demonstrate that all legal and procedural requirements have been met.
- Produce and provide regular accurate information to managers on progress, to adapt and ensure delivery of work to time and cost.
- 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:
- A degree or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Customer service experience and ability to influence/persuade to achieve desired outcome.
- An understanding of the Environmental Permitting Regulations and how they relate to the permitting process.
- Experience of decision making using technical software and modelling programmes.
- Ability to identify efficiencies and improvements in processes and ways of working.
Welsh Language level requirements
Essential: 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.
Species Permitting Officer employer: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Detail:
Natural Resources Wales Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Species Permitting Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and the role thoroughly. Think about how your skills align with what they’re looking for, especially in areas like customer service and decision-making.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do mock interviews with you. This will help you get comfortable talking about your experience and answering tricky questions, especially using the STAR method.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Natural Resources Wales.
We think you need these skills to ace Species Permitting Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Wildlife: Make sure to highlight your interest in wildlife and conservation in your application. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the role and how it contributes to protecting Wales's natural resources.
Use the STAR Method: When detailing your experience, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly demonstrate your skills and achievements. This will help us understand how you've tackled challenges in the past and what you can bring to our team.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Species Permitting Officer role. Mention relevant experiences that align with the job description to catch our eye.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website by clicking the 'Apply Now' button. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural Resources Wales
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Environmental Permitting Regulations and how they relate to the permitting process. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand its complexities.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Since this is a customer-facing role, be prepared to share examples of your customer service experience. Use the STAR method to highlight how you've influenced or persuaded others to achieve desired outcomes in past roles.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Collaboration is key in this position, so think of instances where you've worked effectively within a team. Be ready to discuss how you contributed to a culture of efficiency and teamwork, as well as how you can bring your unique strengths to the Species Permitting Team.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to technical assessments and decision-making using software and modelling programmes. Brush up on any relevant tools you’ve used before and be ready to explain how you’ve applied them in your previous work.
