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, 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 NRW makes efficient and insightful use of freshwater environmental monitoring data and relevant external sources, maintaining high data 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 related to water quality work. You will lead certain aspects of water quality data work at an all-Wales level, providing advice and guidance. The role supports flexible working, with regular face-to-face meetings or training planned in advance. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About Us
The six Environmental Assessment and Advice Teams (EAATs) provide multifunctional monitoring, assessment, and reporting services, as well as technical advice across Wales. These teams gather and process environmental data to produce evidence that supports NRW’s statutory reporting duties and helps address nature and climate emergencies. This role will lead water quality data work undertaken by our EAATs.

Experience
- A first or second-class degree (or equivalent) in biological, environmental science, geographical or earth science subject, or relevant experience.
- High level expertise in terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology, water quality, fisheries, or earth science.
- Proven expertise 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 UK and European legislation with expert interpretation of data against legislative drivers.
- Experience supervising, coaching, and mentoring.
- High level analytical skills including statistics and expert knowledge of data handling including GIS.
- Membership of a relevant professional body (desired).
- Ability to swim and confidence working in water (subject to discipline).
- Current full valid driving licence for NRW fleet vehicles (cars and vans).

About You
You will be a technically skilled and motivated professional with the ability to lead and coordinate specialist monitoring and earth science advice. You will have strong communication skills to influence operational priorities and policies, and the ability to work collaboratively with partner organisations. You will demonstrate commitment to health and safety, equal opportunities, and your own professional development through NRW’s personal development plan (Sgwrs). Flexibility and adaptability to support NRW’s agile working environment are essential.

Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
- Welsh Language: Essential Level A1 (Entry level) - ability to understand basic phrases and pronounce Welsh names correctly. NRW offers learning support to meet this requirement during employment.