Contract type: Fixed Term 12-month Higher Education Placement
Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
Post number: 203427
As an organisation we support flexible working. This role allows hybrid working (a mix of home and office working) and a working pattern suitable for you can be discussed on appointment if you are successful.
You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home, of which you will be required to attend for regular meetings, training and for one-to-one meetings with your manager. These will be planned in advance.
Job description
Natural resources in Wales are fantastic – rugged mountains and woodlands, beautiful landscapes and coastlines, and amazing wildlife.
They are vital for our survival and provide us with the basic things we need to live: clean air, clean water, and food. They create jobs for thousands of people like farmers, foresters, and tourist operators, creating wealth and prosperity.
They give us all a better quality of life and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors against a backdrop of Wales’ natural beauty and heritage. People come from far and wide to experience them. They are intrinsically linked with Welsh culture and language.
It’s our job in Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to look after these natural resources and what they provide for us: to help reduce the risk to people and properties of flooding and pollution; to look after special places for well-being, wildlife and timber; and to work with others to help us all to manage them sustainably. The people who work here in NRW have the knowledge, expertise, and passion to help make the sustainable management of natural resources a reality.
About the Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Further Education Placement programme
The climate emergency is something that will affect us all. It’s predicted that Wales can expect more severe and frequent storms, higher sea-levels, and increased rates of coastal erosion in the future.
To make sure that we’re in the best shape we can be to meet these future challenges and protect communities across Wales from flooding, our FCRM team are looking to develop the next crop of flood risk management specialists.
We have four exciting 12 month paid placement opportunities available, for students who have recently qualified at HNC, HND and degree level, or are looking to undertake a year in industry as part of a sandwich degree course in flood risk management related subjects.
About the role
This is a one-year placement role for someone who has recently qualified (within 18 months) at HNC, HND or degree level, or is currently undertaking a higher education sandwich course requiring a year placement, in flood risk management related subjects such as engineering, earth sciences, geography, ecology or a related subject.
This is a great opportunity to work and gain experience across a range of FRM Operational teams here at NRW.
You’ll work closely with FRM specialists in helping to deliver our varied work programmes and will include both office and field-based tasks. In your role you will make sure that the principles of SMNR and Well-being of Future Generations Act are considered in your decision making.
You will spend time in the following operational teams:
- Asset Performance
- Flood Risk Analysis
- Flood Warning and Informing
Responsibilities
Your responsibilities include:
- Supporting delivery of work plans, created by the team, which contributes towards the delivery of business plans.
- Assisting with site visits, survey work and data collection, including post flood event surveys.
- Maintaining records and information in line with regulations/legislation and agreed standards.
- Attending site meetings with internal and external customers
Qualifications, experience and knowledge
Knowledge and experience of the following:
- Recently qualified (within 18 months) at HNC, HND or degree level, or is currently undertaking a higher education sandwich course requiring a year placement, in flood risk management related subjects such as engineering, earth sciences or geography.
- A good understanding of flood risk management principles including natural flood risk management.
- Good communication and inter-personal skills with a customer focus. Ability to build effective working relationship with colleagues and partners.
- Good ICT skills (Essential)
- Full UK driving licence (Essential)
- Ability to undertake fieldwork in sometimes physically demanding environments.
Welsh language requirements
Essential: Level 1 – able to pronounce Welsh and use basic phrases
Desirable: Level 4 – fluent in spoken Welsh
Please note if you do not meet the level 1 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.
Competencies
Applications to this role will be assessed based on the following competencies, both at shortlisting and interview. Please give examples of how you demonstrate these competencies when completing your application form.
| Essential Knowledge and Skills | Demonstrates the ability and willingness to attain NVQ Level 2 within 1 – 2 years of appointment. Previous relevant practical experience is desirable, but not essential; gained through an apprenticeship or similar work in another environment.Reasonable literacy, numerical and communication skills. |
| Evaluation of Information | Ability to record work activities accurately.Ability to follow H&S instructions and understand risk, is essential. |
| Decision Making and Autonomy Requirements | Demonstrates the ability to follow an agreed work plan and undertake basic prioritising of tasks.The post holder may be alone on site and will need to make routine decisions appropriate to the role, deciding when to escalate issues to a supervisor.Post holders will have a duty of care to themselves and others. |
| Impact | The work will generally be within a specific area, with some aspects having the potential, if carried out incorrectly, to impact on the team, people and property.The impact would be known fairly immediately and could be rectified and addressed quickly without any longer-term issues arising. |
| Communication and Relationships with Others | Able to communicate with colleagues and with the general public and third parties, providing information, asking questions or answering basic queries, politely and courteously.Ability to complete basic written documents and records that may need to be reviewed and signed off by others. |
Benefits of working for us
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
- Agile and flexible working (role dependent)
- Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 26.6% to 30.3%
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
- Generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
- Health and wellbeing benefits and support
- Weekly well-being hour to use at your choice
See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.
How to apply
Please send a completed Application form to Applications@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk using the post number as the email reference.
Before completing your application, please read our Guidance on completing a job application form
Application closing date 31 January 2023
Interviews will take place in February 2023 through Microsoft Teams.
If you have any queries about the role, please contact Richard Kelland at Richard.Kelland@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Natural Resources Wales embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
We welcome and encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented, including women, black and ethnic minority groups and people with a disability. We have a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.
