Principal Surveyor

Team / Directorate: Principal Surveyors Team / Evidence, Policy & Permitting

Starting salary: £59,547 rising to £65,004 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)

Post number: 201642

The role

As a key member of the Management Team at Natural Resources Wales (NRW), you will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving the strategic direction of the organisation. In addition to your core functional responsibilities, you will be instrumental in supporting NRW's transformation, ensuring the effective delivery of sustainable natural resource management. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and make a significant impact on the future of environmental stewardship in Wales.

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 contract Rachel Chamberlain.

rachel.chamberlain@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Successful external applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. We aim to make offers of appointment within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you will do

• Provide NRW Directorates with professional support, advice, guidance and assurance on all aspects of Surveying.
• This is a strategic Head of Profession role for Surveying services where most routine casework is largely undertaken by other property professionals within NRW with certain approvals and quality assurance provided by the Principal Surveyor.
• Lead on developing and embedding a strategic steer for surveying approaches across all NRW functions that require legal agreements to support sustainable management of land and property, (whether owned by NRW or others).  This includes Land Stewardship (how we achieve Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate and the National Nature Reserves in our direct care), Flood Risk Management (how we manage the flood risk assets for which we are responsible), Natural Resources Management Policy (how we intervene on land owned by others to promote nature) and support for these as per the surveying aspects of our management of NRW facilities.
• Lead for setting and implementing direction and ensure that professional standards are maintained among property professionals across all Directorates.
• Act as Head of Profession for Surveyors in NRW supporting professional development of Estates staff, representing NRW in dealings with Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other relevant professional bodies and ensuring the Estate delivers in line with SMNR principles.
• Oversee, provide and maintain all internal estates guidance ensuring that they are up to date in terms of legislation and case law.
• To undertake higher level approval/recommendation for all property related legal and valuation transactions, in line with relevant schemes of delegation, including acquisitions and disposals, to ensure a consistent approach and to provide an assurance function.
• Liaise with Legal Services and provide advice to all Directorates on property related matters.
• Act as intelligent client of external legal services relating to land and property.
• Lead on the purchase of bought in surveying and associated specialist services.
• Management of public liability and compensation claims arising from land and property including instruction of solicitors and the contract for external surveyors services including capital flood schemes.
• Work with and influence key sectors, stakeholders and senior external colleagues, Ministers, politicians and officials (at Wales, UK and international levels) to ensure that NRW fulfils its roles and duties in this area, and successfully influences the policy and strategy of other organisations, operators and other groups to support the sustainable management of natural resources and the flow of benefits.
• 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 and that of your staff 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. You will be a chartered surveyor (MRICS or FRICS) with demonstrable experience of working and delivering at senior level in the land and property sector.

2. Registered Valuer accreditation or willingness to obtain accreditation is preferable.

3. Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to Surveying Professional Standards alongside Welsh &  UK Governments policy drivers in land and estate management.  

4. Knowledge and practical understanding of how to overcome the complex priorities, drivers and barriers faced by NRW, partners and stakeholders involved in delivering Sustainable Natural Resource Management outcomes in Wales through land and estates management. 

5. In-depth understanding of land and estates management and drivers and how to further liberate delivery.

6. Working with other landowners and with local authorities, environmental non-governmental organisations, National Parks and other relevant organisations

7. Working in a programme and project management environment with project management experience and/or qualifications. 

8. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.

9. Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business as required. 

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: 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%
• 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

If you think you have what it takes to do this role, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch and we will be happy to discuss the role with you in more detail.

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, or religion.   We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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