Location
Flexible - Contracted to the nearest Natural Resources Wales (NRW) office to your home with a suitable hybrid working pattern agreed on appointment.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£41,132 - £44,988 (Grade 6)

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, alongside providing technical advice on water quality monitoring. You will be a key member 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 NRW makes efficient and insightful use of freshwater environmental monitoring data and relevant external data sources, maintaining required quality standards. You will plan and implement monitoring, assessment, and reporting programmes that meet the reactive needs of NRW’s agile Operations Directorate, driving positive changes in water quality across Wales.

Using your technical expertise, you will interpret legislation to inform NRW policies, procedures, and guidance, particularly regarding water quality techniques and methods. You will lead certain aspects of water quality data work at an all-Wales level and provide expert advice and guidance.

NRW supports flexible working arrangements. Regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

Experience
- Expertise in freshwater chemistry data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
- High level expertise in terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology, water quality, fisheries, or earth science.
- Proven experience in interpreting and reporting environmental data and undertaking monitoring activities.
- Experience in work planning, budgeting, and contract management.
- Excellent report writing skills and knowledge of relevant UK and European legislation.
- Experience supervising, coaching, and mentoring staff.
- High level analytical skills including statistics and expert knowledge of data handling including GIS.
- Ability to provide evidence and act as expert witness for prosecutions, public enquiries, and judicial reviews.
- Experience leading area and Wales-wide monitoring projects, including scoping, resourcing, contractor management, and budget oversight.
- Experience collaborating with partner organisations at local and national levels.

About you
- Strong commitment to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
- Committed to personal development through effective use of personal development plans.
- Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to swim and confidence working in water (subject to discipline).
- Welsh language skills at Level A1 (Entry level) or willingness to undertake learning to meet this requirement during employment.
- A current full valid driving licence for NRW fleet vehicles (cars and vans).

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