Calling all marine specialists or those with an interest in offshore renewable energy – we have opportunities you may want to consider!
As part of Natural Resources Wales’s (NRW’s) efforts to ensure Wales meets ambitious renewable energy and decarbonisation targets to tackle the climate emergency, our marine advisory and regulatory services are looking for ambitious and passionate people to work with us - and we hope you may be interested.
We need specialists in the marine environment or regulation to help us do that, making a difference for Wales, our environment and energy security.
We are recruiting for a number of roles in a range of specialities, all of which come with a suite of excellent staff benefits.
The variety of roles on offer include people to work on advising developers making applications for renewable energy developments on the potential environmental impacts, people who can develop guidance to ensure marine habitats are protected, to people who can work on improving our marine regulatory services and lots of things in between.
So, what’s it all about?
Offshore renewable energy is an area of high political, public and policy interest in Wales, driven by ambitious decarbonisation goals, a move towards a low carbon economy and declaration of a “Climate Emergency”. NRW is committed to addressing the climate and nature emergencies and meet renewable energy targets.
Offshore wind development already makes a significant contribution to meeting these renewable energy goals and there is huge potential for further growth. For example, opportunities for offshore seabed leasing from the Crown Estate is well under way offering scope for innovation within marine renewables sector.
The Welsh Government has adopted the Welsh National Marine Plan (WNMP), which provides an over-arching framework for the sustainable management of Welsh seas and marine energy is a top priority.
Harnessing the vast wave and tidal resource around Wales is already in development with areas of interest in North and South Wales. Testing of prototype and full-scale wave and tidal stream devices has commenced and there are several prospective applicants in the pipeline.
Sounds exciting! But why should I join NRW?
Well in addition to having a role which offers you job satisfaction, challenge and being part of a team making a real difference, all the roles come with a range of benefits, including:
Benefits:
· Agile and flexible working (role dependent)
· Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 26.6% to 30.3%
· 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
· Generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
· 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.
Is there anything else I should think about?
If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch. We’d love to have a chat and see if the opportunity is right for you.
We are 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 and gender presentation, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, or religion.
Ok, I’m in! What are the jobs and how do I apply?
Here are the roles we are recruiting for with links to our online jobs page.
Come on… what are you waiting for? We can’t wait to hear from you.
We welcome applications for multiple posts (one application form per post) as well as applications for secondments. If you are interested in a secondment, please discuss with your employer and contact NRW as soon as possible.
Renewable Energy Team Leader: As the renewable energy advice team leader you will lead and manage a team of 7 or more marine specialists to deliver renewable energy advice, guidance and evidence. The team includes technical specialists on a range of receptors, such as marine mammal, marine birds, fish and benthic habitats. You will likely have experience of supervising and supporting multiple staff, either as a team leader, or overseeing a virtual delivery team and experience of working in a programme and project management environment.
2 x Senior Marine Advisors: As one of NRW’s senior marine advisors, you'll be responsible for coordinating and case managing NRW advice on development proposals including offshore renewable energy. You will likely have expertise on environmental assessment, marine biology, ecology or coastal processes and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.
Marine Ornithology Specialist Advisor: As one of NRW’s marine ornithology specialist advisors, you'll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.
Marine Mammals Specialist Advisor: As one of NRW’s marine mammals specialist advisors, you'll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.
Marine Ecology Specialist Advisor: As one of NRW’s marine ecology specialist advisors, you'll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.
Marine and Estuarine Fish Specialist Advisor: As one of NRW’s marine and estuarine fish specialist advisors, you'll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment. You will likely have expertise in environmental assessment and be able to critically analyse technical reports and data.
Marine Regulatory and Policy Approach Team Leader: As NRW’s marine regulatory policy and approach team leader you will lead and manage a new team who are leading the development and continuous improvement of Marine Licensing. You will likely have expertise in supervising staff and a technical understanding of regulation, with strong communication and work planning skills.
Marine Regulatory Policy and Approach - 3 x Lead Specialists: As NRWs Lead Specialist for Marine Regulatory Policy and Approach, you'll be responsible for influencing policy development, working with internal and external customers, reviewing processes, developing guidance and training and providing expert advice on marine regulation. You will likely have knowledge of Welsh and UK legislation and Policy drivers that relate to marine regulation, and expertise in continuous improvement.
Process Analysis and Fees Review Lead Specialist Advisor: As NRWs Lead Specialist Advisor, Process Analysis and Fees Review, you will lead on a review of marine licensing fees. Using data and evidence you will contribute to the setting of fees and charges and ensure that the way we work is as efficient as possible. You will also identify and deliver process improvements. You will likely have experience of working with charging regimes, strong analytical skills, delivering continuous improvement and managing successful programmes.
Marine Renewable Energy Programme Manager: As the marine renewable energy programme manager, you'll be the expert lead on Offshore Renewable Energy Programme management and manage the preparation of NRW policy, programmes, plans, strategies and guidance. You will also be responsible for working across NRW to pull together other NRW staff working within the OREP, working with internal and external partners, including Welsh Government and representatives of the renewables sector, translating evidence and policy into practical approaches. You will likely have knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to the planning, management and regulation of the marine environment, and experience of working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.