Data Management and GIS Support Officer, Woodland Programme Team in Wales

The role

Are you ready to make a real impact on Wales's natural environment through the power of data? As a Data Management and GIS Support Officer within our Woodland Programme Team, you will play a vital role in delivering high profile projects such as the Wales Wader Survey 2026, the results of which will inform key decisions for woodland creation in Wales and help shape the future of woodland management and policy. The focus of this role will be woodland creation, but you will also contribute to woodland restoration and woodland management projects, ensuring accurate mapping, data integrity, and spatial analysis across all stages of delivery.

This is your opportunity to combine advanced GIS expertise with strong data management skills to support decisions on sustainable land use in Wales. You will take ownership of developing, maintaining, and analysing large datasets and geospatial information across Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Government systems. Your work will ensure that accurate, reliable information underpins key decisions and supports the delivery of ambitious woodland programmes.

Working closely with colleagues in the Woodland Programme Team you will produce accurate maps, maintain and update the woodland programme mapping portal, collect and analyse environmental data, and manage complex datasets. You will also support changes to the way we work by adapting data and mapping processes to align with the Sustainable Farming Scheme (2026), ensuring our systems remain fit for purpose as policy evolves.

Joining us means becoming part of a mission-driven organisation committed to protecting and enhancing Wales's environment. You will enjoy a supportive culture, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to projects that truly matter. If you are ready to use your skills to make a difference and help build a greener, data-driven future for Wales, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of something extraordinary.

This role is fixed term until 31 March 2027. 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 Adam Chivers-Cross.

Interviews will take place week commencing 23 February 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

The Woodland Programme Team plays a key role in delivering Wales's woodland ambitions, supporting nature recovery, climate resilience, and sustainable timber production. Working on behalf of the Welsh Government, we help ensure woodland creation and restoration projects meet high environmental and forestry standards.

What We Do

We ensure that applications to Welsh Government's Woodland Programmes adhere to the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and Welsh Government grant requirements. We also support Welsh Government by advising on policy and scheme development, and by leading on projects to improve the datasets that inform these schemes such as the 2026 Wales Wader Survey.

Why It Matters

The Welsh Government has set an ambitious target to create 17,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030. Our work helps make this vision a reality.

What you will do

• Work with the Woodland Programme Team and with Welsh Government Teams to lead on data management analysis and governance.
• Support the delivery of projects which aim to improve the accuracy and availability of datasets to inform woodland creation and management.
• Develop and manage data sets and data structures and ensure data security through adherence to NRW's data governance and licensing arrangements, standards and protocols.
• Support data entry and validation through training and mentoring within the team.
• Undertake analysis and manipulation of data (including in Power BI formats) to support a wide range of reporting requirements and ensure that the quality of NRW's data is fit for its intended use.
• Support the provision and import of data from partners to support the development of consistent approaches to recording and reporting progress in delivering actions for woodland creation and management.
• Contribute to the development of new and innovative data methods to drive forward efficiency and improvements to NRW's planning, recording, and reporting.
• Identify data collection methods and tools. Undertake occasional fieldwork to support delivery teams with primary data collection.
• Work collaboratively with other NRW teams to deliver cohesive and strategic action in Wales.
• 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:

• Excellent spatial data management skills and experience in GIS, digitising and managing spatial data in a business context e.g. digitising, managing and collating content in a spatial data store, managing, transforming, manipulating, interrogating, archiving, extracting, analysing and using spatial data.
• Experience of handling spatial environmental data such as field-based/surveillance data, interpreting and reporting on data and, ideally, knowledge of a range of forestry or conservation activities and methodologies.
• Experience of working with field collected environmental data in a relevant field.
• Experience in creating map products and map styling; including setting standards and style guides and creating online views of spatial data.
• Experience of data management systems, as well as practical understanding of handling environmental data.
• A degree level qualification in a relevant subject area or the equivalent level of knowledge.
• An excellent communicator with good organisational skills.
• Higher level of IT knowledge e.g. Geospatial and PowerBI.
• You will have problem-solving skills, with the ability to extract key information and present this in a clear and concise manner to a range of audiences and in both written and oral forms.

Welsh Language level requirements

Essential: Level 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.

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.