Location
Central London with flexible and hybrid working arrangements. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£41,132 per annum

About the Role
Natural Resources Wales is seeking a Senior Environmental Assessment Officer to join our multidisciplinary environmental monitoring and assessment team. In this role, you will undertake freshwater chemistry data analysis, interpretation, and reporting, as well as provide technical advice on water quality monitoring. You will be part of the Environmental Assessment and Advice Team northwest within our Operations directorate, reporting directly to the team leader and contributing to the all-Wales virtual water quality technical group.

Your responsibilities will include ensuring efficient and insightful use of freshwater environmental monitoring data from both internal and external sources, maintaining data quality standards, and planning and implementing monitoring, assessment, and reporting programmes. You will interpret legislation to inform NRW policies, procedures, and guidance related to water quality work, and lead on specific aspects of water quality data advice at an all-Wales level.

This role supports flexible working with a hybrid pattern agreed upon appointment. Regular face-to-face meetings or training will be scheduled in advance. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams, and successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Natural Resources Wales is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and supports staff development through personal development plans and professional growth opportunities.

Experience
- Proven expertise in freshwater ecology, water quality, terrestrial ecology, fisheries, or earth science.
- Experience in interpreting and reporting environmental data and undertaking monitoring activities.
- Skilled in work planning, budgeting, and contract management.
- Experience supervising, coaching, and mentoring colleagues.
- High-level analytical skills including statistics and expert knowledge of data handling and GIS.
- Ability to produce technical reports and provide expert witness testimony for prosecutions, public enquiries, and judicial reviews.
- Experience leading area and Wales-wide monitoring projects including scoping, resourcing, and budget management.
- Knowledge of UK and European environmental legislation and ability to interpret data against legislative drivers.

About you
- Strong technical judgement and ability to provide specialist advice and guidance.
- Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Willingness to engage in continuous professional development.
- Ability to work collaboratively with partner organisations at local and national levels.
- Confident working in water and ability to swim (subject to discipline).
- Holds a current full valid driving licence for NRW fleet vehicles (cars and vans).
- Welsh language skills at minimum Level A1 (entry level) or willingness to learn during employment.

Qualifications
- A first or second-class degree (or equivalent) in biological, environmental science, geographical, or earth science subject or relevant experience.
- Membership of a relevant professional body is desirable.