Forest Operations Officer

• Role ID: 200169
• Location: Flexible Northwest Wales
• Grade/Salary range: 5: £37,594 – £41,428
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Welsh Language level: A1 – Beginner
• Closing date: 28/01/2026

The role

Are you passionate about forestry and sustainable land management? We’re looking for an enthusiastic professional to join our welcoming and driven Forest Operations Team in North West Wales, working across some of the country’s most stunning landscapes, including Coed y Brenin, Dolgellau, and Bala.

As a Forest Operations Officer, you’ll play a vital role in delivering sustainable forest management across one of Wales’ most diverse woodland areas. This is a hands-on role where you’ll lead on the contract management and implementation of forest operations from clear-felling and restocking to managing low-impact silvicultural systems ensuring the successful delivery of our Forest Resource Plans.

You’ll work within a small, supportive team, collaborating with internal colleagues and external partners, and assisting a Senior Officer in your allocated geographic area and/or silvicultural specialism. Day-to-day, you’ll prepare bespoke contracts using GIS and IT tools, liaise with customers and contractors to identify constraints and opportunities, and make sure work on the ground is carried out safely and to the highest standards.

If you have an eye for detail, thrive on practical site management, and want to make a real impact on Wales’ forests, we’d love to hear from you.

As an organisation we support flexible working.

You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place above and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

Interviews will be face to face in Maes y Ffynnon, Bangor LL57 2DW

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

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) manages the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, and our work is all about protecting and enhancing Wales’ natural environment for future generations. Our team area stretches from Harlech in the north, through Coed y Brenin and Dolgellau in the south, to Bala in the east a truly spectacular part of the country.

We’re part of the North West Wales Place Team, a small, friendly group of nine who work closely with colleagues in land management, recreation, and conservation. This role is one of four Contract Management Officers supporting the team leader and is key to delivering our sustainable forest management programme.

NRW is a great place to work, offering progressive employment conditions, a supportive culture, and the chance to make a real difference to Wales’ environment.

What you will do

• Support technical advice for specific sector or technical issues
• Implementation of team work plans, and delivery of agreed actions to contribute to business planning
• Participate in NRW technical or represent NRW on external forums as a technical representative
• Interact with peers in NRW to promote consistent industry and specialist subject practices
• Have responsibility for direct delivery of delegated programmes and agreed delegated budgetary control, including all relevant compliance and adhering to procurement process
• 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 *and that of your staff*through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs)
• Required to take part in incident response activities (For roles with exact or strong link only)
• 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:

• Experience of working across a wide range of land management disciplines
• Knowledge of sustainable forest management, UKWAS and forest certification schemes
• Experience of community liaison and public engagement activities
• Knowledge and experience of designated sites, and all aspects of forest practise, including land liabilities, forest planning and forest operations

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.