Specialist Air Quality Advisor

We’re looking for a skilled and motivated individual to:

• Support the development of NRW’s approach to regulatory air quality and noise impact modelling assessment, creating practical guidance and tools that support consistent and effective delivery.
• Provide expert advice and support to NRW teams, applying your technical knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation and regulation.
• Stay ahead of sector developments, identifying emerging trends and assessing their implications for NRW’s regulation in terms of air quality.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in a role that combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and collaboration.

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 contact Jiping Shi at [email protected]

Interviews will take place through 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.

This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Natural Resources Wales welcomes applications from non-UK citizens who are eligible to apply under this route, subject to confirmation by the Home Office.

Please note that while we may be able to support the Certificate of Sponsorship required for a visa application, the organisation does not cover the cost of the visa itself, including any associated fees for dependants.

The applicant must still meet the UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility and Requirement. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

About us

This exciting role is based within Natural Resources Wales’ Air Quality and Noise Team, part of the Integrated Evidence Group in the Knowledge and Evidence department. You’ll report directly to the Team Leader, working alongside passionate specialists who are committed to delivering high-quality evidence and expert advice that shapes environmental policy and practice across Wales.

What you will do

• Provide support on the development and provision of modelling advice and guidance on all aspects of an air quality modelling service for Wales. Using a variety of air quality and noise modelling software to model impacts on health and the environment of aerial emissions from new and existing industrial/commercial installations.
• As a member of the Air Quality and Noise Team act as an expert. This will require knowledge and experience in the principles and application of air dispersion modelling in the risk assessment for regulation. It also requires the ability to analyse and interpret complex data and technical information.
• Co-ordinate and provide technical advice and guidance to NRW staff ensuring that local decisions are consistent and are in line with agreed government approach.
• Have the ability to disseminate complex technical information and data to a range of audiences from technically proficient to non-technical. You will require experience of working with industry to analyse and/or improve air quality.
• Support with the development of tools and procedures to facilitate data analysis and processing enabling interpretation and reporting on environmental data, and turning data into locally relevant evidence.
• 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).
• Required to take part in incident response activities.
• 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. Have substantial previous experience in all aspects of air quality and noise modelling in regulatory impact assessment.
2. Be an expert in regulatory air quality and noise modelling.
3. Have good analytical skills and modelling results interpretation.
4. Be an excellent communicator, be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and be a strong team worker.
5. Have a degree in a numerate subject or a degree with a significant amount of numerate content is essential.

Welsh Language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 – Entry level

Welsh language levels

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 the 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.