Environmental Assessment Officer

Job context

Environmental Assessment and Advice Team are a multifunctional team undertaking terrestrial and freshwater ecology, water quality and fishery surveys and investigations. Our work provides evidence that enables delivery of environmental outcomes to Place whilst meeting statutory and national requirements.

We are looking to recruit an experienced water quality officer to help us deliver our water quality monitoring programme evidence and reporting requirements. Responsibilities will include the following:

• undertake WQ data information requests for internal and external customers
• support teams with improving compliance processes and risk based compliance monitoring programme reviews
• WQ permit compliance assessment, tracking and reporting, including the OFWAT and directive returns,
• develop systems for checking evidence against directive limits
• update and maintain quality assured information on relevant databases

Applying for this post

The following competencies will be used to assess the quality of applications both at sift and interview. Please read the whole of the Role Description to ascertain at what level this information needs to be presented.

• Essential Knowledge and Skills
• Evaluation of Information
• Decision Making Autonomy
• Impact
• Communications and Relationships with Others

Other information relevant to the job:

You will hold a relevant degree or equivalent. You must have experience with data custodianship and data systems management. Ideally, you will also have experience of water quality chemistry analytical data and be familiar with current water discharge permit legislation.

There may be an opportunity to support others within this multi-skilled team with field work and so you will need to be able to swim and hold a full UK driving licence.

What you will do

You will provide expertise to a defined area or function undertaking a range of work that supports regulation and environmental responsibilities of NRW.

You may be involved in work relating to incident response.

You will refer to procedure manuals, relevant statutory codes and legislation in undertaking the work, undertaking analysis and interpreting requirements as necessary.

You will process and analyse non-routine information that has an element of complexity and will be of a technical nature.

You will undertake work within a discrete area although the work has the potential, if carried out incorrectly, to impact across other subject areas and third parties.

You will provide guidance to less experienced colleagues in the resolution of problems

You will have oversight of contractors and the associated costs.

You will determine how best to achieve results by applying technical judgment and creativity, altering priorities if there are conflicting demands.

You will be responsible for the safe use and keeping of tools and equipment required to undertake your role.

Who you will be working with

You will supervise others in specific activities or pieces of work.

You will work with a range of people across NRW functions, together with external parties.

Where you will be working

Your role will be primarily office based but may entail travel between different NRW locations, as well as working at partner organisations and other premises.

You will also work outdoors at different sites and may be exposed to unpleasant conditions from time to time.

What knowledge and skills you need

You will have a degree level qualification in a relevant subject area or the equivalent level of knowledge.

You will have subject matter expertise within a defined area that enables you to provide guidance to others.

You may not be a subject matter expert in all areas but will have a sound understanding and appreciation of the work of the wider function.

You will have good literacy, numeracy and communication skills including well developed customer facing skills.

You will have analytical skills that enables you to process and analyse technical information.

You will have good inter-personal and influencing skills and able develop and sustain good working relationships.

You will, ideally, have previous supervisory experience.

What other information is relevant to your job

You will realise your contribution by applying the principles of SMNR to your work; in how you think, plan and deliver activities.

You will be expected to work with teams and individuals from across NRW, sharing your expertise and insight to solve complex problems. You will support collaborative working with partners and sector organisations, focussing on shared priorities.

You are responsible for complying with the policies, procedures and processes that relate to your role.

You are responsible for ensuring that all financial transactions undertaken by yourself represent value for money and meet the requirements of the organisation.

NRW is a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), and this means we have a duty to work with partners to prepare for and respond to emergencies and incidents covered by the Act. All staff may be required to undertake activities, at a level commensurate with the skills and experience required by their role, to assist in ensuring this duty is undertaken.

This role description sets out a broad indication of the role, where it sits within the overall NRW structure and indicative expectations of the post holder. It is not intended to provide a detailed description of all tasks and activities. This document should be read in conjunction with the job specific Personal Development Plan which sets out the specific activities and projects to be delivered during the year.

Before applying for this role please read thecandidate guidance

Natural Resources Wales embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. We welcome and encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented including women, black and ethnic minority groups and people with a disability and we have a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We are an employer of choice because we put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.