Environment Officer (Conservation) in Wales

The role helps deliver Wales's contribution to the global goal of conserving 30% of land, freshwater and marine environments by 2030. Working as part of NRW's support for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), you will help create practical management plans for designated sites and work directly with farmers to identify actions that benefit habitats, species and the wider environment. We are recruiting Environment Officers across Mid West, Mid East and South West Wales, on fixed-term appointment until 31/03/2027 only. These roles will be based out of our Aberystwyth, Welshpool and Cross Hands sites.

You will provide technical expertise in protected site management, including regulatory work (assents and consents), proactive conservation advice, and developing partnerships and management agreements. Your role will support NRW's biodiversity priorities and offer specialist input to colleagues and projects across the organisation. You may also contribute to broader environmental management, including incident response, water resources, land and water quality, and work linked to delivering Water Framework Directive outcomes. You will work alongside established operational teams and play a key role in improving environmental outcomes on the ground.

As an organisation, we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home in the above list of locations 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:

• Work with a wide range of internal and external customers including permit holders, landowners, businesses, public bodies, recreation groups, volunteers and third sector organisations to enable others to achieve SMNR.
• Establish, maintain and advise partners to support the development of partnership projects and plans from concepts to implementation.
• Assess compliance with relevant legislation, permit or consent conditions.
• Draft valid consents and assents for operations affecting protected sites.
• Produce required advice, investigations, documentation and reports to agreed quality standards to support operational and management decisions.
• Provide professional local advice and responses to consultations from planning and permitting teams.
• Monitor progress of work, which may include interpretation of data, contractor management, project delivery or compliance with management agreements or statutory legal notices.
• Play a role in a resilient NRW Incident Management Service that follows NRW process to ensure effective, timely and safe response to incidents.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills:

• A good working knowledge of conservation and biodiversity, with focused experience in these distinct areas of the team remit.
• An understanding of how your role in a multi-functional team can contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources.
• Strong and effective self-management, organisational and ICT skills, including the ability to use specialised IT systems, such as GIS or customised applications.
• The ability to influence, negotiate and gain cooperation of others.
• Ensure continuing professional and personal development through formal and informal learning and certification.
• Hold a current full UK valid licence to drive NRW fleet vehicles (cars and vans).
• Welsh Language level requirements: Essential: Level B2 - Upper intermediate level.

Benefits:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97%.
• 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.