Development Planning Advice Service Assistant

The role

Are you highly organised, detail-oriented and passionate about protecting Wales' natural environment?

Natural Resources Wales is looking for a Development Planning Assistant to join our Development Planning Advice Service. In this important role you will provide essential support to specialist advisers who review planning proposals and give expert environmental advice. You will manage planning consultations, maintain accurate records and systems, produce reports and management information, and respond to customer enquiries, ensuring the team can deliver an efficient and effective service.

This is far more than an administrative role. Your work will directly support advice that influences how places are planned and developed across Wales, balancing environmental protection with sustainable growth.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and an interest in planning, the environment or public service. Whether you are beginning your career or building on existing experience you will develop valuable skills while making a meaningful contribution to Wales' sustainable future.

It is a fixed‑term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of a permanent position if the role is successful. We support flexible working and you will be based at an NRW office in your chosen location with a suitable hybrid working pattern.

• Provide effective administrative and business support to the Development Planning and Advice Service.
• Monitor and maintain business information systems (hardcopy and electronic) including the planning IT system.
• Enter application data accurately onto the planning data management systems, using judgement to identify when additional information is required and responding appropriately.
• Triage incoming case work and identify when matters fall outside of our remit, using a provided decision‑making framework. Communicate to the customer when the matter is not for NRW to review.
• Produce information from IT systems.
• Handle and respond to customer inquiries.
• 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).
• Required to take part in incident response activities.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

• Education to GCSE level standard or relevant work experience.
• Able to work well as part of a team.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work under pressure and use your initiative to meet tight deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate confidently, with excellent customer service skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload and deliver results to tight timescales.
• Accurate data entry skills and attention to detail.
• Strong working knowledge of the MS Office suite – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and other software/applications required for your area of responsibility.

• Essential:
  Level A1 – Entry level.

• 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.

We are passionate about creating a diverse workforce and 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 guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet…