We are looking for someone to play a key role in advising on the potential impacts of developments in the marine and coastal environment. You will provide technical and specialist advice on marine mammals and other vertebrates including fish in relation to offshore renewable energy.
This advice will shape and inform Government and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) decisions, programs, plans, guidance, and strategies. You will work with colleagues from other teams in NRW, officials from the Welsh Government, other Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, and sector representatives.
As an organization we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 – 8 weeks of the closing date.
About Us
You will join the Renewable Energy Advice team, a team of technical specialists on a range of receptors, such as marine mammal, birds, fish, and benthic habitats. This is a new team focusing on renewable energy advice, guidance, and evidence. The team will sit alongside and work with our wider marine policy and marine ecosystems teams in the Sustainable Places Land and Sea Group in our strategic Directorate, Evidence, Policy and Permitting. The team will also work closely with our colleagues in NRW’s Marine Operations Service by providing guidance to support their advice on applications for individual offshore renewable energy developments.
What you’ll do
- Provide strategic advice in relation to marine mammals and other vertebrates and renewable energy development
- Write guidance for NRW staff and developers on best practice in assessing impacts on marine mammals.
- Provide specialist technical advice internally to inform NRW’s responses to renewable energy project and plan consultations (for example, marine licenses).
- Provide specialist technical advice externally to (a) developers and regulators at a local, regional, and national level, (b) regional and national stakeholder fora and (c) expert witness role at inquiries as appropriate.
- Advise on assessments of plans and projects, such as Habitats Regulation Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments.
- Advise on evidence gaps and project manage agreed evidence projects.
- Liaise with external stakeholders such as sector representatives, the Welsh Government, partners, JNCC and other Environment Bodies in the UK.
- Contribute to working groups and report to governance groups to support NRW decision making.
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Who you are—qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills required
Applications to this role will be assessed based on the following criteria both at shortlisting and interview. In your job application please demonstrate, using the STAR method, how you meet the requirements outlined below.
- Knowledge of Welsh and UK legislation and policy drivers that relate to marine ecosystems and marine mammals and vertebrates
- Knowledge of marine renewable energy regulation processes and assessment processes such as Habitats Regulation Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments.
- Substantial experience in provision of specialist technical advice on marine mammals, preferably within the UK
- Experience of technical analysis and interpreting a range of environmental information and data
- Specialist technical knowledge related to marine mammals.
- Experience of working with, or in, some of the following: Government, statutory nature conservation bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations, public bodies, and marine sector representative bodies.
- Good project management, work planning and prioritization skills.
- Welsh Language Level requirement: Level 1—able to pronounce Welsh and use basic phrases
Please note if you do not meet the level 1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
- Agile and flexible working (role dependent)
- Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 26.6% to 30.3%
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
- Generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
- Health and wellbeing benefits and support
- Weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
