Kickstart your career with our placement opportunities
We’re pleased to announce that we have joined the U.K governments Kickstart scheme and will be providing paid job placement opportunities for young people across Wales.
These placements are for a duration of 6 months and are open to 16-24 years old’s who are on Universal Credit whose job and career opportunities have sadly been impacted by the current economic and public health crisis.
Why join #TeamNRW?
As Wales largest environmental body, we have a huge remit and a really important role to play in looking after the environment – from marine, forestry and fishery to our flooding, education and industry waste and regulation teams.
There are lots of opportunities to come and work with us as we tackle some of the biggest issues of our time and help make a real difference to the environment and people of Wales.
We’re also passionate about helping people to develop. When you join #TeamNRW, we’ll help you to build on your existing skills and qualifications, to help you develop your future career.
What Kickstart placements are available?
A list of the Kickstart placements that are currently available to apply for can be seen below. If you think you have what it takes, we’d love for you to speak to your Kickstart work coach to find out more.
We’ll be updating this blog as new Kickstart placements become available, so please check back and keep an eye on our social media pages for new updates or subscribe to our newsletter
Remember - you don’t need loads of experience to be able to apply - we’re looking for enthusiastic candidates who are willing to learn, are passionate about the environment and want to help our teams make a real difference
Reserve Assistant – (Cors Caron Nature Reserve) Nr Aberystwyth
In this role you will work with Paul and his team who care for Cors Caron peat bog. This unique and special place is one of our National Nature Reserves. This role is practical, hands on and field based. You will be working at the reserve in Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JF.
We will provide training so that you have recognisable qualifications and great experience for your next job. You will learn practical conservation skills and help us carry out surveys and monitoring work of key species and habitats. You will be part of our front-line team engaging with visitors to the reserve and responding to enquiries about Cors Caron.
Research / Administrative Support (Chair’s Office - home-based)
In this role you will work with Gwenno and Julia in the Chair’s and Chief Executive’s Office. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in a high-level busy office environment.
This role is practical and hands on. You will fulfil the role of an Administrative Assistant, ensuring that the office is running smoothly. You will be predominantly home- based but expected to work in the office occasionally. Your occasional office of work will be at Natural Resources Wales,Ty Cambria, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0TP. We will provide you with a laptop to undertake your work and communicate with colleagues.You will develop a range of databases to strengthen working relationships internally and externally with all key stakeholders.
You will provide interpretation and analysis of a range of information. You will support the Chair’s and Chief Executive’s Office with other administrative activities such as desk research and database management.
Operations Assistant (Home-based with occasional working from Monmouth)
In this role you will work with Rob and his operations team. You will be part of our front-line team who work to reduce the risk of flooding and respond to environmental incidents.
Covid has affected the way we work. We are spending less time at our depot and need your help improving our systems so that we can access information from any location. You will scan and save training certificates. We also want you to store training details on ‘smart cards’ so that our staff can access this information out on site. We are always looking to improve efficiency and would like you to add to our suite of Microsoft forms used for safety inspections
Kickstart - Administrative Support - Asset Performance South West.
In this role you will work with Gareth and his team in the Asset Performance South West team.
This is a hands-on role and you will support the Asset Performance team with the delivery of administrative duties and other supporting activities. You will be both home-based and office-based. Your office location will be at Natural Resources Wales, Heol Parc Mawr, Cross Hands, Llanelli SA14 6RE. We will provide you with a laptop to undertake your work and communicate with colleagues.
Catering Assistant
In this role you will work with Jenn and her team who ensure the smooth running of the Visitor Centre at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. This unique and special forest is well-known for its long-established tradition of daily feeding of red kites, and has trails for walkers, mountain bikers, runners and horse riders. Bwlch Nant yr Arian makes an exceptional effort to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for its visitors.
Field based team member
In this role you will work with Claudia and her team in the Forestry Operations South West team. This role is practical, physical, hands on and field based. You will be working at Resolven, Neath, SA11 4DRWe will provide training so that you have recognisable qualifications and great experience for your next job.
You will work on re-stocking and tree planting programmes. You will work on weeding and cleaning programmes. You will carry out maintenance and any other required tasks such as tree shelter removals and surveys. You will be part of our front-line Forestry Operations team at our Resloven office in the Neath Valley.
Kickstart - Assistant Monitoring Officer
In this role you will be working with Joel and his team supporting environmental monitoring for the LIFE Dee River project. The project aims to restore the river Dee and protect the species and habitats found within the Dee.This role is practical and hands on. You will be working closely with members of the multidisciplinary team to carry out a range of monitoring work across the catchment to understand the impacts of the interventions carried out through the project.
You will also have the opportunity to carry out environmental monitoring – including electric fishing, assisting with tagging of fish and associated field work, habitat surveys. You will collate, validate, and input monitoring data and other monitoring evidence into relevant programs, assisting with other aspects of the project as required.
Operations Assistant, Welshpool (x2)
In this role you will work with Keith and his operations team. You will be part of our front-line team who work to reduce the risk of flooding and respond to environmental incidents.
Covid has affected the way we work. We are spending less time at our depot and need your help improving our systems so that we can access information from any location. You will scan and save training certificates. We also want you to store training details on ‘smart cards’ so that our staff can access this information out on site. We are always looking to improve efficiency and would like you to add to our suite of Microsoft forms used for safety inspections. You will also provide support ordering new equipment.
Recreation and access team member – Newborough forest and National Nature Reserve
In this role you will be working with John and his team who care for Newborough Forest and National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Anglesey. Newborough is one of the largest and finest dune systems in Britain. The dunes, coastal marshes, sandy and rocky shores have been shaped over thousands of years by the wind and sea and are home to a dazzling array of plants and animals. Today it is a popular area for recreation and home to wildlife, especially red squirrels.
This role is practical, hands on and field based. You will support the Recreation Team with enabling more people to enjoy the benefits of access to the natural environment in a safe and responsible manner. You will work at Newborough Forest and National Nature Reserve, Anglesey.You will assist in the promotion of safe and responsible access at Newborough Forest and the National Nature Reserve. You will also be a point of contact for visitors ensuring that all interactions with the public present Natural Resources Wales in the best possible manner through good customer care and service provision.
Laboratory Assistant x 2
In this role you will work with Andrew and his team in the Natural Resources Wales Analytical Services (NRWAS) team. As an integral part of Natural Resources Wales, the laboratory helps deliver the Welsh Government’s statutory obligations to the European Union’s Water Framework, Bathing Water and Habitats Directives.
Project Support Officer - Swansea Environment Team.
In this role you will work with Hamish and his team in the Swansea Environment Team.
This is a hands on role, and you will support the Environment team and associated project work with administrative and project-related activities. You will be home-based, we will provide you with a laptop to undertake your work and communicate with colleagues. You will support the project work within the Swansea Environment Team.
You will provide support to the team’s contribution to the Swansea Wellbeing Assessment and Plan. You will support the delivery of the team’s contribution to the project work undertaken as part of Swansea Environmental Forum
Project support officer Healthy Hillsides
The Healthy Hillsides Project is a partnership between numerous organisations, including Natural Resources Wales, Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This exciting new partnership in is aiming to better manage our hillsides for wildlife, and in doing so, better support the local communities in the Rhondda.
This is a hands on role, and you will work with Haf to support activities across the Healthy Hillsides Project. This is a home-based role, but the Healthy Hillsides project is based in South Wales, so some travel across South Wales (vehicle will be provided as required) will be expected. We will provide you with a laptop to undertake your work and communicate with colleagues.
Waste Assistant
In this role you will work with Carys in the North East Industry and Waste Regulation team. You will provide a range of administrative and business support to the Waste Regulatory function. You will be home-based; we will provide you with a laptop to undertake your work and communicate with colleagues. This role is practical, hands-on and you will play a key role in supporting the work of a team that plays a critical role in the effective and efficient delivery of the regulatory remit of Natural Resources Wales at Place level.
Tasks will include waste return monitoring, minutes & tracking actions from meetings, tracking of compliance actions for the team, ordering Personal Protective Equipment, team Health & Safety Tracking – training/E-learning/Personal Protective Equipment, monthly vehicle checks, Document Management System (DMS) storage of compliance documents and digitalising old permit documents.
What if I don’t meet the Kickstart criteria but am still interested in a placement opportunity?
We’re proud to offer range of placement opportunities at #TeamNRW – from Apprenticeships and Higher Education Placements through to Volunteer opportunities. Find out more on our Placements page here