Lead Air Quality Specialist

The role

Are you ready to lead and make a real impact? We’re looking for a dynamic expert to drive and deliver specialist advice in Air Quality and Noise Modelling across Wales. Your insights will directly inform Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and UK-wide policy and guidance, helping shape a healthier, more sustainable future.

This is your opportunity to:

• Lead a high-impact service that influences environmental decision-making at the highest levels.
• Apply your expertise to complex modelling challenges with real-world consequences.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders across government and environmental bodies.

Join us in making a difference—where your knowledge becomes policy, and your leadership drives change.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, contact Ji Ping Shi, [email protected]

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.

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

• Lead the development and provision of the advice and guidance on all aspects of an Air Quality and Noise modelling service for Wales, ensuring that local decisions are consistent and are in line with agreed government approach.
• Lead on the complex and HPI permitting/compliance cases and development planning consultation cases in relation to the impact assessment of air quality, odour, heavy metals/dioxins on health and ecosystem. Be able to shadow EA on the nuclear air emissions dose exposure assessment and carry out modelling assessment for non-nuclear radiological emissions.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the principles and application of air dispersion modelling in the risk assessment for regulation. Using a variety of air quality and noise modelling software to model impacts on health and the environment from new and existing industrial/commercial installations.
• Have the ability to develop/appraise complex technical information and data to a range of audiences from technically proficient to non-technical. You will require experience of working with industry to analyse and improve air quality or noise impact.
• Support with the development of tools and procedures to facilitate data analysis and processing enabling interpretation and reporting on environmental data, and turning data into locally relevant evidence.
• Able to work with UK wide relevant organisations including UK and Welsh Governments on air quality and noise modelling risk assessment guidance, approaches and implementation of good practice.
• 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

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

1. Advanced specialist knowledge in modelling approaches, and substantial previous experience in regulatory air quality impact risk assessment, including the use of computer software for modelling dispersion of airborne pollutants (e.g., ADMS, AERMOD), noise sound propagation (e.g., CadnaA, SoundPlan) and radiological isotope decay, dispersion and exposure (e.g., PC-CREAM).
2. Experience of acting as an expert in all aspects relating to air quality, noise and radiological modelling.
3. Complex terrain micrometeorology knowledge and Computer language programming skills.
4. Experience of developing bespoke tools and methodologies for highly complex data analysis, visualisation and screening including provision of support and production of suitable supporting documentation.
5. An excellent communicator with experience of liaising with stakeholders and software vendors to update existing software and review new software and tools for integration into the business.
6. Effective interpersonal skills and strong team worker.
7. Degree or equivalent experience in a numerate subject or a degree with a significant amount of numerate content.

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.

Benefits

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
• generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
• commitment to professional development
• health and wellbeing benefits and support
• weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

Please keep reading

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.

We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.

We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.