Lead Marine Water Quality Modelling Specialist Advisor

Natural Resources Wales; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural Resources Wales seeks a Lead Marine Water Quality Modelling Specialist Advisor to drive the programme of work for marine water quality modelling across Wales. You will develop capabilities, lead complex issues, and provide statutory advice to Welsh and UK bodies while collaborating with government and external partners.

The role offers a fixed-term appointment with a flexible hybrid pattern, with interviews via Microsoft Teams and a closing date in late 2026.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation, policy drivers, and environmental regulation relating to marine water quality.
• Substantial experience in the development and application of marine water quality modelling for regulation and water planning purposes.
• Advanced knowledge of marine water quality modelling software and its application to assess environmental and public health impacts from discharges and activities.
• Understanding of key partners, stakeholders and delivery mechanisms associated with marine water quality policy and objectives in Wales.
• Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or numerate discipline, with regulatory, water industry or academic experience in marine water quality modelling.
• Ability to analyse and communicate complex technical information and data effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working within programme and project management environments, with project management skills and/or qualifications.
• Membership of, or working towards membership of, a relevant professional body (e.g. CIWEM), with strong communication, stakeholder engagement and collaborative working skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues, including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest in relation to our approach to modelling marine water quality impacts.
• Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
• Influence multidisciplinary teams, providing technical direction through a matrix management approach where required, and mentor colleagues to build organisational capability in marine water quality modelling.
• Represent NRW as a recognised technical authority on marine water quality modelling, including providing specialist evidence and support to public inquiries, hearings, appeals, and other regulatory or legal proceedings where required.
• Retain ownership and oversight of NRW marine water quality modelling policy to ensure integrity with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
• Ensure appropriate liaison with the Environment Agency, academic institutions and other marine water quality modelling experts in Wales and the UK to promote consistency where required in cross border catchments, develop best practice and maintain expertise by growing a professional network.
• Lead the requirements for, and commission the assessment of, marine water quality models and plans, including providing or commissioning audits. Acting as the intelligent client for these assessments as appropriate.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, identify and secure resources, commission evidence and modelling projects, and project manage agreed programmes of work to support policy development, environmental planning and regulatory decision making.
• Maintain and enhance your extensive knowledge and experience in marine water quality modelling and the principles and applications of marine water quality modelling for regulation and planning purposes. Also, maintain a working knowledge of marine water quality modelling in the water industry and other sector(s).
• Support 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.
• Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Groups, to prepare defined products as required.
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.
• 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.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

MWQ modelling

Modelling software

Stakeholder engagement

Data interpretation

Project management

Professional body member

Welsh language awareness

Education

Relevant degree in science or numerate field

Tools

Marine water quality modelling software

Job description

Lead Marine Water Quality Modelling Specialist Advisor

Role ID: 204359

Location: Flexible

Grade/Salary range: 07: £47,055 - £52,770

Working pattern: Full time - 37 hours per week

Working hours: 37

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)

Contract end date: 31/03/2030

Welsh Language level: A1 – Beginner

Closing date: 22/11/2026

The role

Would you like to lead Natural Resource Wales' (NRW's) knowledge and expertise in marine water quality (MWQ) modelling?

This is a new role that complements our freshwater quality modelling resource and will help enable NRW to improve marine water quality across Wales.

Using your experience and expertise, you will develop our programme of work to ensure NRW has the capability to use modelling to secure marine water quality improvements, helping to enhance and protect Wales's marine environment. You will work across all levels of NRW and contribute to a broad range of marine water quality-related work, with opportunities to learn from the wider activities and expertise within your team. You will work across strategy, policy and operational teams to develop, deliver and evaluate marine water quality modelling. You will have scope to develop new approaches as well as support resolving current issues using your knowledge. You will also work with external stakeholders such as Welsh Government and national partners such as the Environment Agency.

This role is a fixed-term position until 31/03/2029. This appointment may be extended or become a permanent position at a later date, however this cannot be guaranteed.

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.

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams.

About us

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), as Wales's environmental regulator, has a duty to deliver the sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR). The Integrated Water Planning Team (IWP) sits within the Strategy, Policy and Evidence Directorate. As a member of IWP, you will be part of a team whose remit includes River Basin Management Planning, delivery of the Water Framework Directive Regulations, input to Ofwat's Price Reviews through management of the National Environment Programme, and delivery of projects funded through Welsh Government's Nature and Climate Emergencies (NaCE) Fund.

What you will do

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues, including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest in relation to our approach to modelling marine water quality impacts.
• Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
• Influence multidisciplinary teams, providing technical direction through a matrix management approach where required, and mentor colleagues to build organisational capability in marine water quality modelling.
• Represent NRW as a recognised technical authority on marine water quality modelling, including providing specialist evidence and support to public inquiries, hearings, appeals, and other regulatory or legal proceedings where required.
• Retain ownership and oversight of NRW marine water quality modelling policy to ensure integrity with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
• Ensure appropriate liaison with the Environment Agency, academic institutions and other marine water quality modelling experts in Wales and the UK to promote consistency where required in cross border catchments, develop best practice and maintain expertise by growing a professional network.
• Lead the requirements for, and commission the assessment of, marine water quality models and plans, including providing or commissioning audits. Acting as the intelligent client for these assessments as appropriate.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, identify and secure resources, commission evidence and modelling projects, and project manage agreed programmes of work to support policy development, environmental planning and regulatory decision making.
• Maintain and enhance your extensive knowledge and experience in marine water quality modelling and the principles and applications of marine water quality modelling for regulation and planning purposes. Also, maintain a working knowledge of marine water quality modelling in the water industry and other sector(s).
• Support 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.
• Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Groups, to prepare defined products as required.
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.
• 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. Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation, policy drivers, and environmental regulation relating to marine water quality.
2. Substantial experience in the development and application of marine water quality modelling for regulation and water planning purposes.
3. Advanced knowledge of marine water quality modelling software and its application to assess environmental and public health impacts from discharges and activities.
4. Understanding of key partners, stakeholders and delivery mechanisms associated with marine water quality policy and objectives in Wales.
5. Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or numerate discipline, with regulatory, water industry or academic experience in marine water quality modelling.
6. Ability to analyse and communicate complex technical information and data effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
7. Experience working within programme and project management environments, with project management skills and/or qualifications.
8. Membership of, or working towards membership of, a relevant professional body (e.g. CIWEM), with strong communication, stakeholder engagement and collaborative working skills.

Welsh Language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 - Entry level

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.