Exciting new job opportunities to join #TeamNRW in our flood and coastal risk management team

We’re hiring! Do you think you have what it takes to join our Flood Risk Management team and help make a difference to the environment and people of Wales?

We’re looking to recruit to a number of exciting new roles, from flood warning and informing to flood risk asset management,  to join our amazing Flood Risk team out on the ground and in our offices across Wales.

Meet Richard Kelland, our Flood and Coastal Risk Management lead for skills and development. In this blog, he tells us more about the incredible work our team does to help protect homes and communities across Wales from flooding, and what it’s like being part of #TeamNRW.

Why join our Flood Risk team?

I’ve been a part of #TeamNRW working in our Flood and Coastal risk team for over 20 years. It’s a really important part of the work we do - the impact of climate change means that we can expect to see more severe and frequent storms, higher sea-levels, and increased rates of coastal erosion in the future. This unfortunately means an increase in the risk of flooding and the negative impacts that is has on our people, our economy and our biodiversity.

We’re committed to making sure that we are in the best shape we can be to meet these future challenges. As part of that, we’re looking to expand our Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) team. We have a number of exciting and challenging posts available that cover the breadth of flood risk management work and we hope there are opportunities for people with a range of skills and experience to come and join the team over the coming weeks.

What’s Flood and Coastal Risk Management all about?

The work of FCRM is extremely wide ranging. The vital work that we do reduces the risk of flooding in Wales, here are just a few examples of how we do this:

• Building and maintaining flood defence assets and removing obstructions from our rivers
• Identifying the level of flood risk for locations across Wales by using new mapping and modelling technology
• Monitor and forecast river and tidal levels. We use this information to warn the public so that they can take appropriate action.
• We have teams on standby 24/7 to close flood gates and to operate pumps when needed.
• We run flood awareness campaigns to raise the issue of the risks of flooding and what actions you should take to reduce the risk.

Why work at NRW?

At NRW we’re at the heart of making sure Wales’ natural resources are being used sustainably so that future generations can benefit from them. FCRM has its part to play and we look to manage flood risk by using natural flood risk management techniques to store water in the landscape and to slow the flow of water reaching areas of risk downstream. We’re also passionate about helping our staff to develop. When you join the team, it’s my role to help you to build on your existing skills and qualifications and to develop your future career in the team.

What posts are available?

A list of the roles that are currently available to apply for can be seen below. We’ll be updating these as new positions become available so please check back and keep an eye on our social media pages for new updates!

We welcome applications for multiple posts (one application form per post) as well as applications for secondments. If you are interested in a secondment, please discuss with your employer and contact NRW as soon as possible.

Asset Performance Engineer

NRW owns and maintains over 4000 flood risk assets in Wales that include over 500km of flood defences such flood embankments and walls. We have an exciting engineering opportunity in the team where you will make sure that our flood risk assets are performing to the levels needed now and are able to adapt to the future challenges of climate change. You will work alongside other engineers in the team in helping to manage flood risk. You will collect and analyse flood risk asset data and use this information to determine current and future asset management needs.

Flood Risk Analysis Senior Advisor 

We have an exciting opportunity in the Flood Risk Analysis (FRA) team based in North Wales. As a senior advisor in the FRA team you will produce timely and accurate flood risk information that underpins NRW’s flood risk work.We are looking for someone who has significant experience within FRM and will provide professional/technical leadership across the programme of flood risk modelling work undertaken by the FRA Team and wider within NRW. You will lead and influence work with our professional partners, senior managers and Welsh Government, and actively contribute to specialist FRM sub-groups in developing policy and guidance. Project and budget management experience in delivering large complex projects is important and you will have excellent knowledge of hydraulic modelling and hydrological analysis (expert practical knowledge of 1D/2D fluvial or coastal modelling software)

Flood Warning & Informing Advisor

The post holder will be working as part of the team in the delivery of our flood warning service. They will be responsible for improving, maintaining and providing new service to communities identified at risk across North and Mid Wales. They will be responsible in preparing, planning and manage our response to flood incidents by ensuring local procedures are kept up to date. They will also be able to prepare and contribute to our incident management training and exercise plan to enable our duty officers and external partners to be better prepared for floods as part of their response.