Development & Flood Risk Advisor

ICE Recruit; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Development & Flood Risk Advisor to play a key role in safeguarding communities against flooding. The role includes providing technical advice on planning applications and ensuring compliance with regulations. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field, be a member of a professional body, and possess strong analytical and communication skills. The position supports hybrid working, making it ideal for proactive individuals looking to make a difference in climate adaptation.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Continuous professional development

Access to learning resources

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a science or engineering discipline.
• Member of appropriate professional body and working towards chartered status.
• Understanding of flood risk mechanisms and fluvial hydrology.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage own workload as part of the team.
• Provide responses to planning consultations.
• Advise on flood resilient design.
• Support Health & Safety best practices.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Self-management skills

Organisational skills

Knowledge of GIS systems

Report writing skills

Education

Degree in a science or engineering discipline

Membership in relevant professional body

Job description

The role

Natural Resources Wales have an exciting opportunity to join our organisation as a Development & Flood Risk Advisor. By joining our Development & Flood Risk Team you will have a key role in safeguarding communities at risk from flooding in North and Mid Wales.

We have two roles available, one Flexible in North Wales and one Flexible in North East Wales.

As one of our key Advisors, you’ll be part of a knowledgeable and committed team, supplying authoritative, evidence-based advice on flood risk matters for planning applications and infrastructure consents. You’ll ensure that development proposals align with Welsh Government Technical Advisory Note 15 (2025) policy on flood risk and your insight will be vital in shaping resilient, climate conscious planning decisions. You will work collaboratively across our flood risk management portfolio.

Beyond planning, you’ll review permit applications, support enforcement actions and consider emergency works under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (Wales) (Flood Risk) 2016. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your technical knowledge whilst 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 and objectives of Natural Resources Wales Corporate Plan by 2030.

If you’re ready to lead on critical flood risk challenges and want 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.

Interviews will be onMicrosoft 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.

About us

Working atNRW means being part of an organisation that’s committed to innovation, inclusivity, and making a real impact. We value continuous learning and development—you’ll have access to a wide range of resources and support to grow in your career, including further education day release in accordance with your individual development plan. This role offers the chance to influence not just the current environmental landscape, but the legacy we leave behind.

What you will do

• Plan and manage own workload as part of a wider programme of work delivered by the team.
• Lead in providing responses to planning consultations in accordance with current legislation, government guidance and NRW Operational Guidance Notes.
• Provide technical advice to individual planning applications requiring Flood Consequence Assessments.
• Advise Welsh Government through our Development Planning Advisory Servcie function regarding applications that may require “call-in”.
• Provide technical advice to encourage the implementation of flood resilient design using experience to identify risks and identifying effective solutions.
• 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 WalesEqual 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.
• Required to take part in incident response activities.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills

In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using theSTAR method.

1. Educated to degree level in a science or engineering discipline.
2. Member of appropriate professional body (e.g. CIWEM or ICE) and working towards becoming chartered in the near future.
3. Excellent communication and analytical skills.
4. Understanding of flood risk mechanisms/sources of flooding and fluvial hydrology with some engineering experience.
5. Strong and effective self-management and organisational skills.
6. Good knowledge and experience of GIS systems and data management.
7. Good report writing skills.
8. Must have a full UK driving licence.

Welsh Language level requirements

Essential: Level A1 - Entry level. Desirable: Level B2 - Intermediate