Waste Permitting Assistant


Company:	Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru
Salary:	£33,755 to £36,693 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Cardiff - Cathays Park
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	23 Oct 2026
Closing date:	4 Nov 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

The role

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your technical knowledge to make a real difference to the environment in Wales? As an assistant within our Waste Permitting Team, you will play a key role in assessing and determining waste permit applications, helping to ensure that activities are carried out in a way that protects people, wildlife and the environment. Drawing on your scientific or technical expertise, you will make evidence-based decisions in line with legislation, policy and regulatory guidance, balancing environmental protection with the needs of applicants and stakeholders.

Working as part of a collaborative permitting service, you will undertake technical assessments, prepare screening reports, provide clear and robust recommendations, and issue, vary or refuse permits as appropriate. You'll build strong relationships with customers and partners, respond to enquiries, and ensure decisions are accurately recorded and legally compliant.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys problem-solving, analysing technical information and making informed decisions. You'll be expected to manage your workload effectively, contribute to continuous improvement, and provide expert advice within your area of expertise while helping to deliver an efficient, consistent and customer-focused permitting service.

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.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Huw Davies at Huw.Davies@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.

Interviews will take place on week commencing 04/11/2026 through Microsoft Teams.

About us

Join a team at the forefront of environmental regulation in Wales, where your work will have a direct impact on protecting communities, supporting sustainable development and helping businesses operate responsibly.

The Waste Permitting Team plays a vital role in regulating a diverse range of waste activities across Wales. We determine applications for new permits, variations to existing permits, permit transfers and surrenders, and mobile plant deployments. Our work is varied, technically engaging and often involves tackling complex environmental challenges that require sound judgement and specialist expertise.

Beyond determining permit applications, we are a team of technical specialists who provide expert advice and guidance across the organisation, support customers through the permitting process, contribute to the development of policy and regulatory improvements, and represent Natural Resources Wales on technical and sector working groups. This means you'll have the opportunity to influence how environmental regulation is delivered while developing a broad and rewarding skillset.

At Natural Resources Wales, you'll find a collaborative and supportive environment where knowledge-sharing, continuous learning and professional development are actively encouraged. You'll work alongside experienced specialists who are passionate about the environment and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes for Wales.

This is a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise with meaningful environmental impact, helping to shape a more sustainable future while building a rewarding and varied career in one of Wales' most important public sector organisations.

What you will do

Determine the outcome of Environmental licence/permit applications through sound decision making for applications for their assigned regime by carrying out appropriate technical assessment in accordance with NRW policies and procedures where available, and issue, refuse or vary permits to time and budget.
Support and work collaboratively with the permitting service to ensure process efficiency and consistency of approach.
Undertake technical screening reports to inform on applications in relation to your subject area.
Develop and maintain effective customer relationships (internal and external) to ensure good understanding and the efficient delivery of fit for purpose licences and transition into compliance activities.
Produce appropriate records of decisions, actions and outcomes to justify and demonstrate that all legal and procedural requirements have been met.
Produce and provide regular accurate information to managers on progress, to adapt and ensure delivery of work to time and cost.
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.

Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant scientific discipline.

Level 4 qualification within the Credit and Qualifications Framework (or equivalent).

Proven customer service experience, with the ability to influence and persuade effectively to achieve positive outcomes.

Understanding of the Environmental Permitting Regulations and their application within the permitting process.

Experience using technical software and modelling programmes to support decision-making.

Ability to identify opportunities for efficiencies and continuous improvement in processes and ways of working.

Welsh Language level requirements

Essential: Level A1 - Entry level

Welsh language levels

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.

Additional Information

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.

Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route.

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.

You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English, and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who want to work full-time, part-time, or job share.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the closing date to apply.

Apply for this job