Location
Llandovery, Mid-South (West) area of Wales, covering upland and lowland forest blocks including North and Mid Tywi, Cwm Berwyn, Lampeter, Cross Inn, Tarenig, Myherin, and the Ystwyth Valley.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£41,132 - £44,988 (Grade 6)

About the Role
As a Senior Forest Operations Officer, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering tactical plans that drive our annual forest operations. You will work closely with colleagues across Natural Resources Wales (NRW), suppliers, customers, and stakeholders to ensure programmes are delivered on time, meet high-quality standards, and offer strong value for money. You will lead the development of five-year tactical plans covering clearfelling, thinning, conversion to Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS), restocking, and ongoing maintenance.
Alongside the Team Leader, you will produce annual budget profiles and report regularly on progress, helping to keep operations aligned with strategic goals. Your expertise will be key in assessing Forest Resource Plans to ensure compliance with the UK Forestry Standard and delivery of a broad range of environmental and operational objectives.
You will support the wider team with operational management, take ownership of sub-compartment data, and lead specific projects as required. Success in this role requires self-motivation, innovative thinking, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, making a real difference in how Wales’ forests are managed and protected.
NRW supports flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at Llandovery with a suitable hybrid working pattern agreed upon appointment. Regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance. Interviews will be held face to face during the week commencing 8th December 2025 (location to be confirmed). 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.
About Us
The Forest Operations Team sustainably manages the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, ensuring compliance with the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme and ISO14001, while delivering the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. Our team oversees over 14,000 hectares of diverse forest landscapes, combining forestry expertise with environmental stewardship to protect and enhance Wales’ woodlands for future generations.

Experience
- Professional membership or working towards accreditation in a related subject within an agreed timescale.
- Experience working across a wide range of land management disciplines.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of all aspects of forest practice including forest planning and operations.
- Knowledge of sustainable forest management, UKWAS, and forest certification schemes.
- Good understanding of commercial business processes and pressures.
- Coaching and mentoring skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with regulated businesses and the public, explaining complex issues and influencing support.

About You
You are self-motivated, innovative, and proactive in problem-solving. You are committed to equal opportunities and diversity, and you actively engage in your own professional development through personal development plans (Sgwrs). You are willing to participate in incident response activities and represent NRW in technical and strategic groups or external forums as required.

Qualifications
- A full and valid UK Driving Licence.
- Welsh language requirement: 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.