Outdoor Access and Recreation Specialist

Outdoor Access and Recreation Specialist

Closing Date: 7 September 2025

Salary: Grade 6: £41,132 - £44,988

Location: Flexible

Contract type: Permanent

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome)

Interview Date: Week commencing 22 September 2025

Post number: 203816

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to make your mark to contribute to NRW's ambition to better connect people with nature, reporting to the Outdoor Access and Recreation Team Leader, within the Integrated Approaches Nature, Climate and People Group, and Natural Resource Management Department. We know how important being outdoors is for personal well-being but it is also vital that people care about their environment if it is to influence the decisions they make every day.

As Specialist Outdoor Access and Recreation Advisor with a focus on responsible recreation, you will contribute to a team which works through others to promote access more often for more people from diverse backgrounds and with different access needs to enjoy responsibly, the varied and rich environments of Wales to undertake recreational activities.

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.

What you will do

• Prepare specialist/technical assessments, drawing on a range of complex information and data sources.
• Manage the preparation of material to inform the development of NRW, WG and other Partners policy, advice, and guidance documents;
• Manage the development of procedures, national tools and guidance including supporting legislative change and lead the delivery of new ways of working.
• 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.
• Develop and maintain engagement with partners, Wales & UK Government, relevant sector policy leads, stakeholders, networks, and partnerships; you will represent NRW and be the lead point of contact for national and local access forums, your other specialist/technical area and for customer queries.
• Maintain knowledge of the assigned specialist sector(s) identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector(s).
• Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required.
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Sgwrs plan.
• 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).

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. Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to outdoor access and recreation. Welsh, UK Government policy drivers related to outdoor access and recreation and the issues and opportunities within Wales.
2. Specialist technical knowledge relating to one of more of the following: responsible recreation, countryside codes, National Trails, Countryside and Rights of Way Act, open access and recreational access to freshwater and inland coastal waters, and public rights of way.
3. Experience of specialist/technical analysis and interpretation of a range of complex environmental and relevant information and data sources.
4. Working with/in outdoor access & recreation sector, local authorities, landowners, and managers; representatives of outdoor/countryside organisations, forums, and voluntary bodies.
5. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
6. Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.