Job title: Specialist Air Quality Monitoring Advisor
Role ID: 201309
Location: Flexible
Grade/Salary range: 6: £41,132 - £44,988
Working pattern: Full time
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 08/10/2025
The role
Are you passionate about protecting Wales' environment and public health? Join Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and help shape the future of air quality monitoring across the country.
We're looking for a skilled and motivated individual to:
* Support the development of NRW's approach to air quality monitoring, creating practical guidance and tools that support consistent and effective delivery.
* Provide expert advice and support to NRW teams, applying your technical knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation and regulation.
* Stay ahead of sector developments, identifying emerging trends and assessing their implications for NRW's strategy and operations.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in a role that combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
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 via Microsoft 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
This exciting role is based within Natural Resources Wales' Air Quality and Noise Team, part of the Integrated Evidence Group in the Knowledge and Evidence department. You'll report directly to the Team Leader, working alongside passionate specialists who are committed to delivering high-quality evidence and expert advice that shapes environmental policy and practice across Wales.
What you will do
* Support the Lead Advisor Air Quality by leading the development of advice and guidance for air quality monitoring at sites we regulate, to ensure that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) adopts a proportionate and risk-based approach to the provision of statutory advice and regulation in line with the purpose of NRW.
* Provide technical support to staff in Operations for air quality monitoring guidance, commonly used international and national standards in emissions monitoring, and provide technical support and advice to staff in Welsh Government.
* As part of the Air Quality Team provide advice in relation to monitoring emissions to air from regulated sites including common aerial chemical pollutants, examples of process abatement, monitoring strategies, commonly used monitoring techniques and quality assurance schemes employed.
* Advise on specific application in relation to emissions monitoring for intensive farming, bioaerosols, noise, odour and incident response when required.
* Support NRW compliance teams in areas such as Operator Monitoring Assessment and the review of periodic monitoring reports carried out as part of their operating permit requirements or in response to process changes/incidents.
* Be the point of contact within NRW for the monitoring component of air quality with the relevant UK and Welsh Trade Associations, Environment Agency, SEPA and NIEA to share and work together on the development of advice and guidance.
* Required to take part in incident response 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
1. In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.
2. Direct experience of monitoring emissions to air from a regulated site, either as a regulator, consultant or operator.
3. Detailed knowledge of the MCERTS scheme including the technical endorsements associated with manual stack emissions monitoring
4. A minimum qualification of MCERTS Level 1 (preferably Level 2) along with the technical endorsements is desirable, this will provide the required practical experience of implementing the monitoring techniques in the field.
5. Knowledge and experience of implementing BS EN 14181:2014 & BS EN 15259:2023 is desirable plus a knowledge of relevant Guidance Notes.
6. A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent knowledge
7. Excellent communication and effective interpersonal skills and be a strong team worker
Welsh Language level requirements
Essential: Level A1 - Entry level (able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh)
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.