Development and Flood Risk Senior Advisor

Team / Directorate: Development and Flood Risk / 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: 15/09/2025

Post number: 202851

The role

Play a key role in safeguarding communities and supporting sustainable development by joining our Development and Flood Risk team—is one of nine key service areas in flood risk management. As a Senior Advisor, you'll be part of a knowledgeable and committed team of ten, working across the North and Mid Wales (North Ops).

In this pivotal role, you'll provide expert advice on flood risk matters for planning applications and infrastructure consents, helping to ensure that development aligns with the Welsh Government TAN 15 (2025) policy on flood risk and coastal erosion. Your insight will be vital in shaping resilient, climate-conscious planning decisions across the region. Influencing others at a senior level and developing strong working relationships.

Beyond planning, you'll assess emergency works, review permit applications, and support enforcement actions under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (Wales) (Flood Risk) 2016. This is an opportunity to apply your technical knowledge while influencing external stakeholders and using regulatory tools to protect people, property, and the environment.

You’ll be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to climate adaptation, and your work will directly contribute to delivering the aims of the Natural Resources Wales Corporate Plan by 2030. If you're ready to take the lead on critical flood risk challenges and want your expertise to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

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 Charlotte Ames  Charlotte.Ames@cyfoethnaturiocymru.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

• Provide professional, strategic and expert technical leadership in the application of planning and flood risk activity permitting, including the provision of advice and direction to senior managers, NRW Leadership Team and Welsh Government officials. 
• Actively contribute to National FRM Sub Groups to advise, build consistency, develop policy & guidance and provide technical expertise.
• Build relationships with professional partners and the WLGA, to help the delivery of Local Authority flood schemes and raise awareness of flood risk. 
• Deliver our response to planning consultations for developments in flood risk areas including Strategic Flood Consequence Assessments, LDP’s & NSIPs.
• Lead on responses to planning appeals and enquires.
• Lead the team in the delivery of Flood Risk Activity Permits for the area, including assessing and checking compliance under the requirements of the EPR and Land Drainage Act. 
• Support Health & Safety best practice by actively promoting awareness and ensuring the provision of safe working practices to comply with NRW’s policy and standards.
• 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. Relevant Qualifications – Educated to degree level in a science or engineering discipline.
2. Member or working towards membership of a relevant professional body.
3. Comprehensive understanding of WG Technical Advice Note 15 and Planning Guidance Wales to lead the team on complex and contentious sites, including the interpretation and implementation of Welsh Government policy. 
4. Thorough understanding of engineering principles, construction techniques, engineering drawings and complex work method statements.
5. Thorough understanding of the EPR Regulations and NRW Flood Risk Activity Permit process.
6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write clear and concise documents and able to present information in a professional manner.
7. Experienced in engaging and influencing senior internal and external stakeholders. 

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: Lefel A1 - Lefel Mynediad  (y gallu i ddeall a defnyddion ymadroddion a chyfarchion syml, dim gallu i sgwrsio yn Gymraeg) 

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. 

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