National Forest Woodland Advisor

Natural Resources Wales; United Kingdom; Presencial; GBP 38.000 - 41.000; Tempo integral

Resumo da vaga

Natural Resources Wales is seeking a National Forest Woodland Advisor in Wales. You will build relationships with farmers, landowners and communities to support woodland creation, management and public access. A fixed-term role with hybrid work options and travel across the South Central Wales region, 37 hours weekly.

You will advise on funding, create high-quality woodland plans, and act as a trusted adviser across diverse projects to deliver lasting environmental and community benefits.

Qualificações

• Experience in forestry/woodland creation and public access.
• Ability to engage external stakeholders and the public; influence outcomes.
• Member of a professional body or commitment to CPD.
• Proven project management experience.
• Ability to lead virtual task groups within a team.
• Experience in managing contentious issues and public engagement.
• Strong self-management, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyse complex information and make sound judgments.
• Able to write clear and concise documents.

Responsabilidades

• Engage and enthuse stakeholders across Wales on woodland opportunities and benefits.
• Provide regulatory guidance, identify funding streams and promote best practice.
• Act as the main contact for National Forest proposals and queries; navigate complex issues.
• Advise on additional National Forest sites and woodland creation opportunities.
• Coordinate with NRW staff to ensure timely project delivery and policy obligations.
• Support engagement with stakeholders and act as first point of contact for queries.
• Undertake health and safety duties as required.
• Support NRW Equal Opportunities and staff development through Sgwrs.

Conhecimentos

Forestry knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Public speaking

CPD commitment

Team leadership

Conflict management

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Welsh language (A1)

Descrição da vaga

National Forest Woodland Advisor

Role ID: 203244

Location: Flexible South Central Wales

Grade/Salary range: 05: £37,594 - £41,428

Working pattern: Full time - 37 hours per week

Working hours: 37 per week

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)

Contract end date: 31/03/2027

Welsh Language level: A1 – Beginner

Closing date: 18/11/2026

The role

Join the National Forest team and play a key role in helping to grow and connect the National Forest for Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to work with farmers, landowners, communities, forestry professionals and partners across Wales, supporting the creation, enhancement and sustainable management of woodlands that deliver lasting benefits for people, nature and the economy.

The post holder will act as a trusted adviser and first point of contact for stakeholders seeking guidance on woodland creation, woodland management, public access and community engagement. Working across a diverse range of projects, the role will help identify opportunities for new National Forest sites, provide advice on funding and best practice, and support the development of high-quality woodland creation and management plans.

This role offers a unique blend of relationship building, project management and problem solving. The post holder will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, helping to navigate complex issues, influence positive outcomes and develop innovative approaches that support the sustainable management of Wales' natural resources. No two days are the same, and the role provides the opportunity to make a visible and lasting contribution to one of Wales' most ambitious environmental programmes.

This post is fixed term until 31/03/2027 with the possibility of extension or permanency.

A full, current UK driving licence is essential for this role, as regular travel to sites across the South Central area is required.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the 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 take place on week commencing 30/11/2026 through Microsoft Teams.

About us

At Natural Resources Wales, you'll find a rare opportunity to do meaningful work that makes a real difference to Wales' environment, communities and future generations. We are the organisation responsible for looking after Wales' natural resources, helping to ensure they are managed sustainably for the benefit of both people and nature.

The National Forest team is at the heart of one of Wales' flagship environmental initiatives. Working collaboratively with landowners, communities, public bodies, forestry professionals and Welsh Government, the team is helping create a connected network of woodlands across the nation that enhances biodiversity, tackles climate change, improves public access and supports local economies.

This is a welcoming and supportive team that values innovation, collaboration and professional development. The work is varied, engaging and highly rewarding, offering the chance to build relationships across sectors, influence environmental outcomes at a national scale and contribute to projects that leave a lasting legacy for Wales. Combined with flexible working arrangements and a strong commitment to staff wellbeing and development, this is an opportunity to be part of something genuinely unique.

What you will do

• Engage and enthuse new and existing stakeholders including farmers, communities, and landowners from across Wales on how new woodland can deliver their aspirations while also delivering multifunctional benefits to the environment, society, and the economy.
• Provide advice to comply with the regulatory requirements, source funding streams and promoting best practice for woodland management and creation. Alongside supporting landowners and forestry agents in identifying consultees, sources of information and relevant contacts to facilitate the preparation of high quality UKFS compliant woodland creation design plans and woodland management plans.
• Act as the point of contact for National Forest proposals and queries. The Liaison Officers will proactively deal with complex and contentious issues relating to people and woodland interests, leading to the delivery of project outcomes and development of work areas as necessary.
• Advise on recommendations for additional National Forest sites outside of the Welsh Government Woodland Estate through a mixture of enhancement and new woodland creation.
• Liaise with relevant NRW staff regarding interactions between teams to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project, policy or strategy obligations.
• Support engagement with sectors, partners, Welsh Government, Llais Y Goedwig, Farming Connect and other stakeholders in Wales; and be the lead point of contact for customer queries.
• 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

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

1. Knowledge and experience of forestry/woodland creation/public access/community engagement at all stages of project development from inception to delivery.
2. Ability to communicate effectively with external stakeholders and the public, explaining complex issues and gaining support by influencing.
3. Member of relevant professional body or visible commitment to your own CPD (or be prepared to join).
4. Proven project management experience.
5. Able to work well as part of a team and lead virtual task groups.
6. Experience of managing contentious issues and community liaison and public engagement activities.
7. Have strong and effective self-management, organisational and interpersonal skills.
8. Able to analyse complex information and situations, solve problems and make sound judgements.
9. Able to write clear and concise documents.

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.