• Specialist Forestry Advisor – 202662
• Location: Flexible in South Wales
• Grade/Salary range: 6: £42,662 – £46,662
• Working pattern: Full time (37 hours per week)
• Contract type: Permanent
• Welsh Language level: A1 – Beginner
• Closing date: 22/02/2026

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping commercial projects across the NRW managed estate in South Wales.

As a Specialist Advisor within the Communications, Customer and Commercial Directorate, you’ll provide expert forest management advice that enables sustainable, commercially viable projects to progress. Working as part of a small, collaborative team—including environmental specialists, project managers and business support colleagues—you’ll contribute your technical expertise while influencing outcomes on the ground.

Site visits are a central part of the role, giving you the chance to work directly within the forest estate and see the impact of your advice first‑hand. This position offers a strong professional focus with no line management responsibilities, allowing you to concentrate on delivering high‑quality technical and advisory support.

The role covers South Wales and reports to the Team Leader, Programme Development and Governance, who is based in Aberystwyth.

If you’re motivated by making a tangible difference to forest management and commercial delivery, and value collaborative working within a specialist team, this role offers both variety and impact.

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.

Interviews will be face to face in Aberystwyth, date to be confirmed.

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

• Act as the Technical lead to deliver an effective forestry service
• Undertake site-based walkovers, assessment, monitoring and supervision of forestry operations (e.g. tree clearance) communicating regularly with Project Managers and Developers and identify risks and issues
• Review, analyse and interpret complex information and provide timely advice on forestry issues such as valuations
• Procure forestry contract resource and manage contract resources as necessary
• Participate in the development of team work plans and deliver any agreed actions to contribute to the facilitation of commercial projects
• Contribute to NRW technical / strategic groups ensuring that policy and delivery are consistent and appropriate
• Influence the work of others through representation at team and Developer events and build and maintain relationships and lines of communication
• 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. Degree in forestry or related subject and / or relevant experience of forest management and working towards professional membership
2. Extensive knowledge and experience of all aspects of forest practise, including forest planning, forest operations, forest inventory, tree crop valuation and UKWAS
3. Good interpersonal skills, team working skills and the ability to deal appropriately with people of all levels
4. Ability to communicate effectively with Developers, explaining complex issues and gaining support by influencing
5. Ability to be self-motivated and lone work
6. Good written and spoken communication skills
7. Full Driving Licence.

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.