Senior Geomorphologist

Team / Directorate: Hydrology, Geomorphology & Water Resources Management / Operations

Starting salary:  £41,132 rising to £44,988 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type: Permanent

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

Interview Date: 23/09/2025

Post number: 203605 ENV

The role

As Senior Geomorphologist, you’ll play a key role in shaping the natural environment of North Wales. You will apply your expert knowledge to provide a comprehensive technical fluvial geomorphology support service, to internal customers and partners. You’ll provide expert technical support on river processes and restoration to a wide range of internal teams and external partners. Your work will directly influence the delivery of high-profile river restoration projects—helping to bring rivers back to life, restore natural habitats, and reduce flood risk.

You’ll also offer specialist advice on Flood Risk Activity Permits and Water Abstraction Licences, ensuring that environmental regulations are met while promoting sustainable water management. Through your work, you’ll help build ecosystem resilience and support the wellbeing of communities and wildlife across Wales

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Rob Bissell (robert.bissell@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk) or Oly Lowe (oliver.lowe@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk)

Interviews will take place at the Natural Resources Wales office in Buckley CH7 3AJ.   

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

About us

You’ll be joining the Hydrology, Geomorphology and Water Resources Management Team in North Wales, within our Flood and Water Management Department. We are a multi-functional team that covers North and Mid Wales. You’ll be working on some of Wales most iconic rivers including the Dee, Conwy and Severn. The role will include a mixture of site and office-based work, and you’ll have the opportunity to provide practical solutions that will help us address the Nature and Climate Emergency.

 

What you will do

• Respond to planning applications (including for nationally significant infrastructure projects), permits, consents, licences and enforcement action on internal and external works to promote geomorphologically responsible works and advise on compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and other relevant legislation.
• Act as a specialist technical advisor on river restoration, bioengineering and natural flood management (NFM) measures.
• Develop best practice and operational guidance notes, for geomorphology, as well as provide technical input into guidance for Flood Risk Management, Hydropower, Restoring Sustainable Abstraction, and Fisheries projects.
• Share, promote and seek new industry best practice through national NRW representation at technical advisory groups.
• Provide expert advice on the development of future geomorphological practices, particularly focussing on its role in the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.
• Provide technical support to NRW colleagues on complex geomorphological issues.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
• Be committed to your own development  through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills

In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.

1. Degree in relevant scientific subject (e.g. physical geography, environment science or civil engineering), or the ability to demonstrate a significant level of relevant, practical geomorphological experience.
2. Member of appropriate professional body (e.g. CIWEM or ICE) or willing to work towards becoming chartered.
3. Good understanding of hydromorphological elements of the Water Framework Directive, as well as the ability to write complex technical reports on such aspects.
4. Experience of supervising, coaching and mentoring.
5. Ability to undertake fieldwork in sometimes physically demanding environments.
6. Expert knowledge of geomorphological methods, techniques and calculations.
7. Must have a full UK driving licence.

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 - Entry level (able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh

Please note if you do not meet the A1 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:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
• generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
• commitment to professional development
• health and wellbeing benefits and support
• weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose

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

Please keep reading

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.  

We are committed to equal opportunities and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.

We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.  

We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards.  Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills. 

Apply for this role

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