Forest Operations & Land Management Graduate Placement - Natural Resources Wales

Scotlink; Welshpool; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental organization is seeking a graduate for a placement in Welshpool. This fixed-term role involves support in Forest Operations and Land Management, ideal for recent graduates with qualifications in environmental fields. Candidates will gain practical experience while working with expert team leaders in a flexible environment. This position offers a salary range of £33,755 to £36,693, fostering a great opportunity for development in the forestry and land management sector.

Qualifications

• Graduate qualification completed within 18 months in an environmental-related course.
• Good understanding of land and forestry management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Full UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Support NRW across Forest Operations and Land Management.
• Assist in managing operational contracts.
• Contribute to work programmes and collate forestry information.
• Maintain GIS data and carry out site surveys.
• Shadow senior members to understand the breadth of work.

Skills

Environmental qualifications

Customer service skills

ICT skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Undergraduate or masters qualification related to environmental science

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Job description

Role ID: 204141
Location: Welshpool - Coed y Gororau
Grade/Salary range: 4: £33,755 - £36,693
Working pattern: Full time
Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)
Contract end date: 31/08/2028
Welsh Language level: A1 – Beginner
Closing date: 01/02/2026

The role

This is a graduate placement role for individuals who have recently (within 18 months) gained an undergraduate or masters qualification in an environmental related course, such as forestry or forest management, woodland management and conservation, environmental science, environmental management, geography, or a related subject.

The role will provide support to NRW across Forest Operations, Land Management, Land Stewardship and wider operational teams. The purpose of the role is to develop the practical experience, knowledge and skills to establish your career in the forestry and land management sector.

You will work closely with and be mentored by the Forest Operations and Land Management Team Leaders and their Specialist Advisors.

As an organisation we support flexible working.

• You will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location 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 candidates will be invited to attend a first round interview which will be on (week of) and will take place through Microsoft Teams in the week beginning 23rd February.

A final round of interviews will follow the week beginning 16th March these will be face to face (details of time and location will be shared 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

The forest operations and land management teams are responsible for the sustainable management of the Welsh Government Woodland Estate. We practice multifunctional forestry, working with other teams across NRW to deliver sustainable timber production within NRW’s vision of nature and people thriving together. One day you might be monitoring pine marten boxes, the next a harvesting contract.

You will work alongside the Technical Support Officers, Contract Management Officers, Senior Officers and Team Leader to contribute to the busy programmes of work we deliver.

The role is based in Welshpool but the teams you will work with cover a wide area, extending to Dyfnant Forest in the North to Radnor and Presteigne Forests to the South, Talybont forest in the West, to the Welshpool blocks in the East. Your work will be focussed in specific forest blocks but you will be expected to travel across the whole area.

Throughout the placement you will have the opportunity to work with other teams across NRW, who are involved with other aspects of forestry and land management.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location 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

• Apply your professional training in real world situations
• Develop good working relationships internally and externally
• Deliver work plans and agreed actions to contribute to business planning.
• Participate in NRW technical groups.
• Contribute towards the teams delegated responsibility for delivery of work programmes such as:
  • Assisting in the management and supervision of operational contracts.
  • Collating forestry and conservation information.
  • Maintaining GIS data.
  • Carrying out site surveys and evaluation.
  • Assisting with the creation of documents of a technical nature.
  • Plan and deliver work related to forest regulations
• Have responsibility for direct delivery of delegated aspects of programmes.
• Interact with peers in NRW to promote consistent industry and specialist subject practices.
• Shadow more senior members of staff, both within and outside your direct team, to understand the breadth of work undertaken by NRW
• 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.

• A graduate qualification (completed within 18 months of the job advert) in an environmental and sustainability related course, such as forestry or forest management, woodland management and conservation, environmental science, environmental management, geography, or a related subject (essential).
• Good understanding of working in land and forestry management disciplines, including sustainable forest management.
• Good written and verbal skills and the ability to communicate confidently, with excellent customer service skills.
• Good inter-personal skills with the ability to work under pressure using your own initiative in order to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong ICT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Full UK driving licence (essential).

Welsh Language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 - Entry level

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.

Apply Here