Technical Support Officer - Full Time in Swansea

We are looking for a proactive and organised Operational and Technical Support Officer to play a key role in supporting Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) environmental monitoring programmes and incident response activities.
Working closely with NRW Analytical Services and field sampling teams, you will provide technical, logistical and operational support to ensure the effective delivery of monitoring and enforcement work. You will help maintain compliance with Quality Management Systems, legal Chain of Custody requirements and Health and Safety standards, ensuring environmental samples and data are managed accurately and efficiently.
The role includes supporting laboratory operations, coordinating sample processing and dispatch, managing analytical information, assisting with enforcement investigations and contributing to the ongoing development and maintenance of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
Your work will help ensure the integrity, traceability and quality of environmental data that supports regulatory reporting, pollution prevention and environmental protection across Wales. The pattern is usually Monday to Friday starting at 7am each day with the possibility of Saturday working as overtime.)
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location 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
NRWis the largest Welsh Government Sponsored Body, working to protect, improve and sustainably manage Wales' natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations.
NRW Analytical Services (NRWAS) is a UKAS-accredited laboratory based at Swansea University's Singleton Campus, operating to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. The team provides vital analytical support for NRW's environmental monitoring programmes, helping to deliver evidence-based decisions that protect Wales' rivers, lakes, coastal waters and wider natural environment.
As the central hub for environmental monitoring and evidential samples, NRWAS receives and processes hundreds of samples each week to support both routine monitoring and incident investigations. The team also coordinates sample dispatch to specialist laboratories, supplies sampling equipment and provides technical support to colleagues across NRW.
Joining NRWAS means becoming part of a supportive and professional team that plays an important role in ensuring the quality and reliability of environmental data. Together, we help provide the evidence needed to safeguard Wales' natural resources and respond effectively to environmental risks and pollution incidents.
Conduct the daily sample registration, accurately registering samples, collating and inputting monitoring data from various sources utilising the Laboratory Information Management System.
Support data administration within the Analytical Service and provide associated support services to laboratory staff and other NRW staff that routinely use LIMS.
General housekeeping, including reception duty, monitoring and management of mailboxes and entering of analytical results from third party laboratories accurately.
Support reporting of results and data transfers within agreed SLA standards of service utilising several different systems.
Maintain due diligence of the correct processes to maintain legal chain of custody for enforcement samples and to uphold the laboratory's ISO17025 Accreditation from UKAS.
Organise and dispatch samples collected from the Monitoring Programme to be outsourced to third-party laboratories for analysis.
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
Previous experience in an administration, technical or logistical support of a local area network, ideally in a high throughput environment with delivery to tight deadlines.
Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write very clearly and the ability to communicate confidently at all levels with a commitment to excellent customer service.
A high level of computer literacy including proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, One Drive for business. An understanding of document management systems, cloud-based storage and data entry and record management in bespoke systems such as LIMS. Prior experience of maintaining records in Business ICT systems plus a demonstrable aptitude for learning new software at pace.
A good understanding of the laboratory's quality system and how that affects every aspect of the analytical process.
Excellent awareness of not only the laboratory specific but general Health & Safety requirements of self and others by being aware of the laboratory and NRW health and safety policies.
Welsh Language level requirements
Level A1 - Entry level
Welsh language levels
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.
Due to the nature of the work the successful candidate must be eligible for Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details on eligibility can be found on National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.Offers will also be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check.***)
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
commitment to professional development
health and wellbeing benefits and support
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.
From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on 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.
You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English, and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who want to work full-time, part-time, or job share.