Land Management Officer - Waterfall Country Project

Natural Resources Wales; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental environmental agency is seeking a Land Management Officer for the Waterfall Country Project to improve visitor safety and manage the effects of increasing foot traffic. The role requires strong organizational skills, experience in land management, and collaboration with stakeholders to implement safety initiatives. Applicants should possess a valid UK driving licence and demonstrate effective time management and teamwork abilities.

Qualifications

• Experience managing visitor safety in a forest setting.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills and active team-player.

Responsibilities

• Implement team work plans and delivery of agreed actions.
• Participate in NRW technical/strategic groups or represent NRW.
• Direct delivery of delegated programmes within agreed budget.

Skills

Experience of working across a wide range of land management disciplines

Extensive knowledge of designated sites

Knowledge of sustainable forest management

Experience with community liaison

Full and valid UK driving licence

Job description

Land Management Officer - Waterfall Country Project

Role ID: 203699

Location: Neath - Coed y Cymoedd

Grade/Salary range: £36,246 - £39,942

Working pattern: Full time

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)

Closing date: 19/11/2025

The role

Natural Resources Wales are seeking an experienced, self-motivated, organised and passionate Land Management Officer to join the high-profile Waterfall Country Project in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. This role is a Fixed-Term appointment until the 31/03/2028. Over recent years, Waterfall Country has experienced a significant rise in visitor numbers, largely driven by social media, which has led to a marked change in visitor behaviour and trends, with visitor numbers now in the region of 300,000 per year. Such an increase has led to a rise in reported incidents, the deterioration of site infrastructure and protected features, and has also impacted significantly upon local communities.

Improving visitor safety is a key objective of the Waterfall Country project, and one that requires a holistic approach. Working in collaboration with the project manager and stakeholders from a range of organisations, the Project Officer will play an integral role in supporting the development and implementation of visitor safety initiatives including infrastructure improvements, upgrading on-site interpretation, and developing stronger messaging and pre-visit communications.

The successful applicant will play an integral role in supporting the Project Manager in the effective delivery of this nationally significant project, working within the busy Land Management Team, and therefore will need strong interpersonal skills, and be an active team-player. Applicants will need proven strong time-management skills, the ability to prioritise work to good effect. The applicant must be experienced in managing visitor safety in a forest setting including undertaking recreation inspections, mapping of defects and planning infrastructure improvements, writing works specifications, and mapping using a GIS platform. Experience of managing contracts involving rural path construction and vegetation management will be required.

Office base for the Project Officer will be the NRW Resolven office.

Interviews will take place in person (time, date and location 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

• Implement team work plans, and delivery of agreed actions.
• Participate in NRW technical/strategic groups or represent NRW on external forums.
• Interact with peers in NRW to promote consistent industry and specialist subject best practice.
• Have responsibility for direct delivery of delegated programmes within agreed budgetary control, ensuring relevant compliance and adherence to procurement procedures, health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
• Key Job Qualifications or Knowledge: Experience of working across a wide range of land management disciplines.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of designated sites, and all aspects of forest practise, including land liabilities, forest planning, forest operations, recreation asset management, including visitor centre management (where relevant).
• Knowledge of sustainable forest management, UKWAS and forest certification schemes.
• Experience of community liaison and public engagement activities.
• 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

• Experience of working across a wide range of land management disciplines.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of designated sites, and all aspects of forest practise, including land liabilities, forest planning, forest operations, recreation asset management, including visitor centre management (where relevant).
• Knowledge of sustainable forest management, UKWAS and forest certification schemes.
• Experience of community liaison and public engagement activities.
• Full and valid UK driving licence.

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

Welsh Language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1

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.

Applicants will need strong communication skills and experience working with stake