Environmental Data Collection Officer (Hydrometry & Telemetry) 2025

Natural Resources Wales • Full-time • Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom • 2d ago

Our Hydrometry and Telemetry (H&T) Officer role is a predominantly field-based position where you'll be at the forefront of environmental data collection for Natural Resources Wales (NRW). As part of the South Hydrometry and Telemetry team within the South Flood Risk and Water Resources department, you'll be responsible for maintaining and operating monitoring equipment across the region.

Your work will involve measuring key environmental parameters-such as river levels and flows, rainfall, and groundwater levels-using a range of specialised instrumentation. The data you help collect plays a vital role in flood forecasting, water resource planning, and environmental protection.

If you enjoy practical, hands-on work in the outdoors and want to contribute directly to safeguarding communities and the environment, this role offers a unique and rewarding opportunity.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location 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 held on Microsoft Teams.

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

This role is part of the South Hydrometry and Telemetry Team and is primarily field-based across South Wales. You'll be directly involved in collecting and maintaining high-quality water quantity data-such as river levels, rainfall, and groundwater measurements.

This data supports some of Natural Resources Wales' most critical work, including flood risk management, water resource planning, and long-term environmental monitoring. The team also maintains an important archive that contributes to NRW's understanding of how climate change is impacting our water environment

What you will do

Ensure that all hydrometric data is acquired and transferred in a secure, timely and accurate manner for customers.
Ensure the Wellbeing Health and Safety of yourself, team and public in every aspect of working within H&T supporting others within the H&T team in all aspects of hydrometric network management.
Calibration of monitoring equipment; channel flow measurement; site maintenance; installation of monitoring equipment; data input to hydrometric archive. (WISKI)
Working to a defined team workplan to meet the team objectives and Service Level Agreements in place, but with scope to change operationally on day.
Respond as instructed from within the team to assist in the coordination of fault finding and repair of telemetry outstation equipment when there is disruption to the Flood Warning Service or Water Management sites.
Develop and maintain a strong internal/external customer focus; build effective relationships and work well within the team and with partners to achieve environmental goals to meet the priorities required by NRW.
Support the H&T Team as required in delivery and development of annual work plans, standards and working practices by working closely with Team Members as required.
Assist with onsite installation of new small scale hydrometric sites, ensuring all customer needs are met in a timely, safe and efficient manner, and in line with CDM regulations.
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 .

You do not require any specific qualifications, but it is expected you will have achieved the equivalent to a first year of a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, or you will have the equivalent level of knowledge.
You'll need to be a good communicator, be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and be a strong team worker.
A sound awareness and understanding of Health and Safety and relevant regulations working safely within the role.
Understanding of Hydrometry and Telemetry work, systems and how the team fits into the NRW's approach to Water Management and Flood Risk applying the principles of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.
Demonstrate a flexible approach to work and be able to prioritise workload to fit the need of the team, working with others and alone to undertake tasks.
The role will require regular travelling to and from sites within a defined area Must have full UK driving licence.
A basic awareness of the British, European and International Standards relating to Hydrometry and its mechanisms, enabling NRW to deliver appropriate hydrometric data.
An awareness of Welsh culture, and a positive attitude to linguistic and cultural diversity.

Welsh language level requirements

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.

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

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.