Development Planning Advisor

We are looking for passionate people with a background in an environmental science, sustainability or planning and want the opportunity to help shape the future of Wales, to join our Development Planning Advice Service. The Service is responsible for influencing both strategic land use plans and projects seeking planning consent. The work is varied, rewarding, and provides the real opportunity to influence sustainable development in Wales.

This role is flexible across North Wales but regular attendance at our Bangor office is expected.

As a member of our “Once for Wales” development planning Service, you will engage directly with Planning Authorities and developers on a wide variety of proposals including, energy, transport, housing, economic regeneration, tourism and agriculture. You will collaborate with technical experts across NRW to create and provide accurate, robust and influential advice on a wide range of topics including conservation sites, European Protected Species, flood risk, water quality, air quality, contaminated land, and landscape.

We’re looking for a collaborative individual with strong organisation and communication skills and a keen interest in environmental protection and planning. Whether you’re looking to build experience in a meaningful and influential sector, or play a part in environmental protection through the planning system, this role offers professional development in the environmental and planning sector, contributing to improving the economic, social, environmental and cultural well‑being of Wales.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment, however regular attendance at the Bangor office is required. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Bryn Jones at [email protected]

Interviews will be face to face (details of location will be shared in advance).

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

• Produce advice to Local Development Plans, including advice on their Strategic Environmental Assessment (with senior support where necessary) ensuring the advice is robust, evidence based and delivered to deadline.
• Produce advice to preapplication enquiries, development management consultations, Developments of National Significance and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (with senior support where necessary) ensuring NRW advice is robust, evidence based and delivered to deadline.
• Preparation of information in relation to challenges against NRW development planning advice, including attendance at Appeals and Inquiries.
• Develop and maintain effective customer relationships (internal and external) and ensure a good understanding of customer needs.
• Identify opportunities to influence local Development projects and plans at the earliest opportunity.
• Maintain auditable records of actions and outcomes to justify and demonstrate that all legal and procedural requirements have been met.
• 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. Experience in development planning processes or environmental management and legislation working with the development sector.
2. Experience of contributing to, applying and/or reviewing environmental impact assessments.
3. Able to communicate effectively with Local Planning Authorities, business and the public, explaining complex issues and gaining support by influencing.
4. Strong and effective self-management and organisational skills.
5. Able to analyse complex information and situations, solve problems and make sound judgements.
6. Able to work well as part of a team and lead virtual task groups.

Welsh Language level requirements

• Essential: Level A2 – Elementary Level
• Desirable: level B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you do not meet the Essential Welsh language level requirements for this role your application will not be shortlisted. Those who meet the essential but not the desired Welsh Language level, if appointed will be expected to develop their Welsh Language skills whilst in role.

Welsh language levels

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.

Unless otherwise stated in the ‘Role’ section of this advert, Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route.

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.