The role
As Specialist Advisor Terrestrial Species you will lead on the development of guidance, tools and best practice for approaches to terrestrial protected species planning casework; supporting NRW’s Protected Species Team in providing expert advice on terrestrial protected species in relation to planning casework; engage with internal teams and external customers to deliver clear, practical advice to support their decision making; work with NRW’s terrestrial mammals and herptile specialist to advise on evidence needs and opportunities for the promotion of species conservation in Wales.
This role has been created to support NRW’s responses to development planning in relation to terrestrial protected species, with a focus on mammals, reptiles and amphibians and will sit within the Terrestrial Species Team working with other technical specialists. We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of these species and their requirements when dealing with development applications including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
About us
The Terrestrial Species Team is a multi-disciplinary group of technical specialists with expertise across all major terrestrial species groups. We provide strategic and operational advice—both within Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and to external partners—to help protect and enhance biodiversity across Wales.
We are part of the newly formed Sustainable Land and Nature Group, which plays a key role in delivering NRW’s vision of nature and people thriving together. Our work focuses on terrestrial ecosystems and species, and on promoting sustainable land, forestry, and woodland management.
As a team, we shape NRW’s environmental policy and strategy in these areas. We lead the development of technical guidance, policy positions, and strategic outcomes, and work closely with teams across NRW—including Regulation and Permitting, Evidence, and Land Stewardship—to deliver joined-up, impactful environmental action.
What you will do
* Manage the development of guidance, procedures and tools and lead the delivery of new ways of working to support NRW’s planning service.
* Provide terrestrial protected species advice to NRW’s Development Planning Advisory Service on planning applications, drawing on a range and interpretation of complex information and data sources.
* Manage the preparation of material to inform the development of NRW, WG and other Partners policy, statutory advice and guidance documents.
* Liaise with external stakeholders such as Welsh Government, sector representatives and partners to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project, policy or strategy obligations.
* Advise on evidence needs and opportunities and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
* Support engagement with sectors, partners, WG, JNCC and other Environment bodies in the UK; and be the lead point of contact for customer queries.
* Maintain knowledge of the technical specialist area identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector.
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
1. Detailed knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to terrestrial protected species and development planning; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in biodiversity; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
2. Excellent knowledge and experience of the ecology and conservation of Welsh protected species and approaches to mitigation and compensation for development planning, in particular in relation to mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
3. Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with stakeholders at all management levels.
4. Experience of technical analysis and interpretation of a range of complex environmental information and data sources; analysing large data sets.
Good written and spoken communication skills and an ability to represent both the technical and strategic aspects of Protected Species work to non-specialists, both within NRW and externally, in a concise and effective way.