Overview

Closing date: Monday 22 August 2022
Salary: £28,223 – £29,505 depending on level of experience
Contract type: Fixed term
Working hours: Full time
Location: North Wales Wildlife Trust, Head Office, Llys Garth, Garth Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2RT
Remote working is possible but you must be willing to travel within Wales

We are currently seeking to recruit a Marine Planning Officer to help deliver The Wildlife Trusts’ belief that development in the marine environment should be the right technology in the right place and not at the expense of the natural environment.

Full time position fixed term of two years.

The Wildlife Trusts is a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, who believe that we need nature and nature needs us. Each Wildlife Trust is an independent charity formed by people getting together to make a positive difference to wildlife and future generations, starting where they live. We believe that a healthy, wildlife-rich natural environment is not only valuable in its own right; it is fundamentally important for human health, wellbeing, and our prosperity.

By working in partnership, we can have a bigger impact for wildlife and the Wildlife Trusts here in Wales are working together to help ensure that our seas are managed to recover and thrive from past damage, disturbance and neglect. However, with the demands on our seas for resources and energy, the scale of future development is increasing. Achieving ecological sustainability of marine industries – existing and new – at a time when economic growth is considered a priority is a challenge but one that can be met with the right approach.

We are currently seeking to recruit a Marine Planning Officer to help deliver The Wildlife Trusts’ belief that development in the marine environment should be the right technology in the right place and not at the expense of the natural environment by:

  • Leading on responses to marine energy development applications around Wales
  • Building connections with the relevant networks, advisory groups and individuals.
  • Maintaining a flow of information within the Wildlife Trusts in Wales, with other Trusts and with RSWT.

Main responsibilities

  • Influence marine renewable energy developments (including offshore wind and floating offshore wind) through all stages of the planning process.
  • Proactively engage with Marine Planning colleagues at RSWT to develop an aligned work programme and to establish one voice on marine renewables to ensure alignment in national and Welsh legislative and policy changes.
  • Attend RSWT renewables meetings and seek support from the RSWT when needed.
  • Ensure regular dialogue with RSWT marine planning team to share information and knowledge.
  • Engage with developers from an early stage through direct discussions and within Expert
  • Topic and Advisory Groups to inform and influence commercial scale casework.
  • Respond to consultations and pro-actively promote any necessary policy changes to Welsh
  • Government and partners. Develop and deliver an advocacy programme to support this work in conjunction with RSWT Marine Planning Manager.
  • Facilitate two-way supporting action by individual staff, volunteers and groups of Wildlife
  • Trusts by providing and collating advice, resources and training.
  • Work closely with colleagues in Wales and at the UK level to coordinate knowledge of potential developments and strategic-level work needed.
  • Keep abreast of developing issues and research relevant to marine spatial planning, marine protected area designation and renewable energy in the marine environment.
  • Represent the Welsh Trusts at relevant networking groups including the WEL Marine
  • Working Group and CSAG and garner support into cases for local developments.Working alongside external NGOs to make best use of organisational experience.
  • Contribute to and establish Wildlife Trusts policies and position statements.
  • Seek and develop opportunities to champion marine biodiversity both internally and externally.
  • Build links with relevant individuals and groups such as the NRW marine consenting team and Marine Energy Wales.

In order for the organisation to work effectively, you may be required to assist with other areas of work, and therefore, you should be prepared to undertake other duties appropriate to the post and any other reasonable duties required.

All staff are ambassadors for the organisation both internally and externally and are expected to act in a professional manner at all times. They are required to abide by organisational rules, policies and procedures as laid down in the staff handbook. Adopt environmentally friendly working practices. Set and maintain high personal standards of efficiency and customer care and foster a ‘can do’ culture based on ownership, initiative, teamwork and exchange of information.

Experience – Essential

  • Marine planning and the planning consent process, preferably in Wales
  • Knowledge of marine biodiversity, marine ecosystems and maritime industries
  • Knowledge of the Welsh MPA network and the designated species and habitats they support
  • Ability to work with a wide range of partners
  • Excellent written language skills
  • Experience in written and spoken communication for a wide range of audiences
  • Project management

Experience – Desirable

  • Experience in working within the voluntary sector and with volunteers
  • Experience in networking processes (e.g. sharing information, seeking consensus)
  • Substantial knowledge of marine biodiversity, marine ecosystems and maritime industries
  • Substantial knowledge of marine planning and related Welsh legislation
  • Experience in managing large projects, including handling and disseminating information
  • Welsh language speaker and/or willing to learn.

Key Competencies

  • Highly organised and able to summarise complex documents and distill into information that can be understood by a broad audience
  • Self-discipline and an ability to meet tight deadlines
  • Self-motivation, enthusiasm and initiative
  • Takes ownership and responsibility
  • Articulate communicator
  • Respect for confidentiality and discretion

 

Please send in the Job Application Form and Covering Letter to Nia Jones nia.jones@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Closing Date: 22nd August 2022

Interviews will be held on: 30th August 2022

About North Wales Wildlife Trust

Together with our members and volunteers, we work to protect wildlife across north Wales, both on our 35 nature reserves and through our work with others.

North Wales Wildlife Trust manages over 750 hectares of land for wildlife across North Wales, including some of the region's top nature reserves and land belonging to other individuals and organisations.