Lead Forest Operations Advisor

Team / Directorate: Estate Standards Team / Evidence, Policy and Permitting

Starting salary:  £45,367 rising to £50,877    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: 18 September 2025

Post number: 204000

The role

To provide the expert technical lead on Timber Harvesting and/or Forest Management operations for how we manage the land in our care by managing the preparation of NRW policy, programmes, plans, strategies and guidance.  These will translate Welsh & UK Government policy, UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) requirements and industry standards into practical approaches to the point of delivery.  You will work with colleagues from other teams in Evidence, Policy and Permitting, Commercial, and Operations, officials from Welsh Government and sector representatives.

As an organisation 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.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Sally Tansey sally.tansey@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk 

Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams  

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.

What you will do

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes.
• Retain ownership and oversight of forest operations functional policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches in relation to UKWAS requirements, regulatory and industry standards.
• Commission and deliver monitoring procedures and audits.
• Advise and define knowledge and competency gaps, commission resources, training and programmes to fill the gaps; manage projects, in line with the agreed programme.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the forestry sector, identifying the implications of legislative, technological and market changes for NR
• Lead or contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Land Stewardship Business Board, to prepare defined products as required. 
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed personal objectives.  
• 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. Knowledge of: Welsh and UK legislation and policy drivers related to forestry and the issues and opportunities for sustainable forest management in public forestry in the UK. 
2. Knowledge and experience of timber harvesting operations and/or sustainable forest management. 
3. Knowledge and understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved with the forestry sector and sustainable land management in public forestry in the UK and how to apply this in Wales. 
4. Working with companies in the Forest Industry and where necessary with, local authorities, environmental non-governmental organisations, and National Park Authorities.
5. Experience of a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications. 
6. You will have Professional membership or will be working towards professional membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters or another relevant professional body
7. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
8. Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.  

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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