Specialist Environmental Assessment and Landscape Architecture Advisor

Closing date: 12 February 2023 | Salary: £37,308-£40,806 (Grade 6) | Location: Flexible

Contract type: Permanent

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours. Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome.

Post number: 201371

As an organisation we support flexible working. This role allows hybrid working (a mix of home and office working) and a working pattern suitable for you can be discussed on appointment if you are successful.

You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home, of which you will be required to attend for regular meetings, training and for one-to-one meetings with your manager. These will be planned in advance.

Job description

We are seeking a specialist in landscape architecture and environmental assessment to join our Environmental Assessment Team. You will be working on a wide range of NRW projects and strategies, including metal mine remediation, flood risk management, habitat restoration, fish pass as well as exploring opportunities to tackle the Climate and Biodiversity Emergencies. We are involved from the inception of a project right through to delivery on the ground. We are able to explore innovation and best practice such as Natural Flood Risk Management, carbon capture and coastal adaptation. Using environmental impact assessment (EIA), you will identify risks and opportunities that need to be considered in the appraisal, design and delivery of projects.

You will also support the Environmental Assessment Team by providing landscape advice and input across our work programme. You will be responsible for the management and delivery of landscape implementation and maintenance contracts associated with our capital projects. This will require collaboration across multiple disciplines, including civil engineers, land agents, project managers, foresters, ecologists, archaeologists, recreation managers and procurement specialists.

The spread of new plant pests and diseases is currently a very challenging issue and one that NRW hold specific responsibilities for. You will liaise with the dedicated plant health specialists to reduce the risk of spreading pests and diseases through our own construction work and projects.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include to:

Prepare technical assessments on environment and landscape architecture, making complex determinations and decision making in order to influence the development and design of your portfolio of projects and plans, all in accordance with NRW policies and procedures.
Assist the Team Leader in the development of environmental assessment guidance for NRW staff and for sectors/partners; lead on the production of landscape design guidance.
Liaise with external stakeholders such as Welsh Government, sector representatives and partners to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project, policy or strategy obligations.
Represent the Environmental Assessment team on relevant internal technical groups, and internal/external stakeholder and sector meetings.
Commission and manage specialist consultants to undertake assessments and surveys within agreed cost, time and quality thresholds.
Write, procure and manage contracts to deliver landscape work and maintenance on capital projects. Manage contractors on site.
Support engagement with sectors, partners, WG, JNCC and other Environment bodies in the UK; and be the lead point of contact for customer queries.
Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required.
Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

You will be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of the following:

Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to SEA, EIA, Town and Country Planning, Habitats Regulations Assessment; WFD. Contract Law and Health and Safety in relation to landscape; Welsh & UK Governments & EU policy drivers in SMNR, EIA, SEA and SA; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
Competent expert as defined in the EIA Regulations, Chartered Landscape Architect under the Landscape Institute.
Experience of: Working at a national, UK and international level managing a portfolio of projects and plans related to environmental assessment.
Experience in planning, landscape and visual impact assessment and writing and managing JCLI contracts.
Working in environmental assessment at an operational and strategic level across the technical discipline.
You will be a chartered Landscape Architect or working towards this, and regarded as a competent expert as defined in the EIA Regulations.
Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.

Welsh language requirements

Essential: 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.

Competencies

Applications to this role will be assessed based on the following competencies, both at shortlisting and interview. Please give examples of how you demonstrate these competencies when completing your application form.

Essential Knowledge and Skills	Able to undertake practical/technical tasks or work, requiring specialist knowledge/expertise. Able to provide objective advice to others on related issues, based on their knowledge and experience and keeps up to date with changes within their specialist field. Demonstrates relevant substantial experience gained from working in number of different organisations, or roles/functions within a single organisation. Ability to lead and project manage specific areas of work, which may include the implementation of plans. Has mentoring skills and the ability to share skills and knowledge with others within the function and/or across the organisation. Possibly an expert in a range of subjects relating to their profession.
Evaluation of Information	Ability to analyse and interpret a range of complex information of a technical nature, relating to a specific area of specialism, contributing to the development of strategy and policies. Able to extract key points and communicate them to individuals at all levels. Able to interpret relevant delivery plans and understand their context in the wider national and NRW strategy and policies.
Decision Making and Autonomy Requirements	Ability to decide how to achieve results applying some degree of judgment or creativity, whilst responding to conflicting demands, by altering priorities. Able to make independent decisions on a broad range to matters, considering the options available and potential implications for the business. Decisions will require input from line management and peers and an understanding of NRW policy, the impact of which is likely to be wider than the immediate function or department and medium term in nature. Has an appreciation of the consequences of making wrong decisions and the adverse effect they may have on the organisation in relation to external stakeholders, such as partner organisations, lenders, service users etc. Able to contribute to the setting of strategic direction for themselves, their area and others. Ability to develop organisation strategy and policies with some autonomy in the implementation of organisational policy. Can adapt and respond to decisions made which lead to changes in established procedure/practice for dealing with issues within the post holder’s area of work, which may not be immediately clear or apparent. Some decisions may need to be taken without reference to others.
Impact	Demonstrates an appreciation of how their decisions and actions will influence others both internally and externally. Must have an awareness of the consequences of their decision making, which will have a moderate level of impact and influence and be medium term in nature.
Communication and Relationships with Others	Ability to interact and link with others across the business, engaging the organisation in delivering polices and work plans in the most efficient way. Communications will be both with internal colleagues and external stakeholders which may include specialist input and influence in relation to policy and strategy or implementation. Some interactions may be emotionally challenging where individuals are angry or upset, requiring the need for tact, patience and the ability to remain calm to try and resolve the issue. The work will involve written and verbal communications and/or leading projects, requiring good communication and persuasive skills. Ability to facilitate and/or present at internal or external meetings, giving advice and input as required. Able to foster and maintain good relationships and networks. Ability to produce documents, reports, accounts, contracts, etc., with some complexity, containing elements of advice, guidance or opinion which the recipient will act upon or use, and which would have detrimental consequences if incorrect or poorly drafted. Ability to source data and content from multiple locations, entailing some external research and professional judgment in how such research should be interpreted. The impact of such documentation is likely to be generally medium term in nature.

Benefits of working for us

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 well-being hour to use as you choose
Competitive financial rewards to enhance your monthly pay

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

How to apply

Please send a completed application form to: Applications@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk using the post number as the email reference

Before completing your application, please read our Guidance on completing a job application form

Application closing date: 12 February 2023

Interviews will take place on: 1 March 2023 through Microsoft Teams

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Vicky Schlottmann at Victoria.schlottmann@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk or 07767481367

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. We have a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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