Senior Fisheries Officer

Job context

Do you want to make a long-term difference to the environment of South East Wales?  Are you passionate about tackling the nature emergency and in particular protecting and restoring our fish populations?

The latest salmon and sea trout stock assessments are driving the need to renew/replace current rod fishing byelaws for the Wye and Usk catchments, both of which expire in December 2021. 

In this role you will lead, coordinate and be a key part of a virtual technical team comprising of operational and policy members.  It’s an exciting opportunity to deliver a priority and high profile piece of work that will include the following: -

• Technical case development;
• Informal stakeholder liaison;
• Options review;
• Technical case completion;
• Statutory advertisement and statutory consultation;
• Addressing all representations;
• Application to Welsh Government (plus liaison with the Environment Agency);
• Determination process;
• Completion, publicising and implementation.

This critical activity is identified in our strategic and local business plans and is integral to the local delivery of the Salmon and sea trout plan of action for Wales 2020.

The successful candidate will also provide a wider technical fisheries advice and support role within South East Operations and lead our engagement with Local Fisheries Groups.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, driven and adaptable person with a good technical knowledge of fisheries to join our Environment Team as a Senior Officer. 

If you can help us make a difference then apply now!

Applying for this post

The following categories 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.

• Forward Thinking
• Analysing and Judgement
• Collaborating with others
• Advising and Influencing
• Customer Focus
• Qualifications and Skills

What you will do

You will provide specialist expertise to the functions across NRW which are involved in the provision of services of a technical or specialist operational nature to internal and external customers including regulation and environmental monitoring (including NRM).

You will act as the local expert or specialist lead for a small sector and work in an advisory capacity and your input will have an impact both internally and externally, and you will influence at an operational level.

You will make decisions and take action that will influence others and there will be a reliance on your input.

You will lead and project manage specific areas of work, taking responsibility for managing project budgets and teams and will be responsible for the success and delivery of the project.

You will deliver significant programmes of work.

You will analyse and interpret a wide range of complex information, extracting key points and communicating this to others, at all levels.

You will undertake research as required and produce documents that have some complexity and will provide advice, guidance or opinion which others will use and act upon.

You will interpret developments in your area of expertise and contribute to business planning and the design and delivery of work programmes.

You will be responsible for a small budget for the delivery of a specific project and will have responsibility for checking the validity of documentation relating to the procurement of good and services.

Who you will be working with

You will interact with colleagues across the organisation, collaborating with others to provide the efficient delivery of policies and work plans, and draw upon their skills to support the achievement of objectives.

You will communicate with others both internally and externally at an operational level in an advisory or functional specialist capacity.

You will have operational responsibility for leading specialist/technical staff through non-complex technical/ specialist programmes through a matrix management structure.

You will facilitate and deliver presentations for internal and external meetings, giving input and advice, as required.

You will mentor less experienced colleagues.

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.

What knowledge and skills you need

You will have a recognised qualification, degree or equivalent knowledge.

You will have substantial experience working in the relevant field and the ability to manage projects, project budgets and teams.

You will have specialist knowledge and will be an expert in a range of subjects relating to your area of specialism enabling you to work as a local expert.

You will have good inter-personal skills and able to develop and maintain good relationships and networks.

You will have analytical skills enabling you to analyse and interpret a wide range of complex information.

You will have good communication skills enabling you to give technical and specialist advice to others.

You will have the skills to manage your workload and prioritise tasks in relation to conflicting objectives and targets.

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 the candidate 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.