4041 - Environmental Support Officer

Job summary

Join Us and Help Shape the Future of Wales

Are you passionate about delivering excellent customer service and making a meaningful impact on the environment and communities across Wales? Rural Payments Wales (RPW) are recruiting enthusiastic, motivated individuals to join their high‑performing, well‑established teams.

RPW is the largest operational delivery division within the Welsh Government, supporting Wales’s rural economy and administering around £300 million of funding each year. Following the launch of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (2026), this is an exciting moment to get involved in work that directly shapes the future of farming, sustainability and land management in Wales.

We are recruiting 2 Environmental Support Officer roles, each offering varied, rewarding work within a fast‑paced environment. With potentially more roles becoming available.

Join the Environmental Technical Support Team within Rural Payments Wales (RPW) and play a key role in shaping the future of sustainable farming in Wales.

This is your chance to work directly with farmers, turning environmental ambition into real‑world impact through the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

You’ll spend time out on farms discovering opportunities to deliver genuine environmental benefits—spotting important habitats, identifying nature‑positive actions, and helping farmers unlock the full potential of the scheme’s Optional Layer.

Job description

Within RPW, you’ll be the trusted specialist colleagues turn to, providing expert insight, producing management plans, appraising applications, undertaking desk-based habitat assessments and advice that help keep Wales’ land, habitats, and rural communities thriving.

This is a rare, hands‑on role where you’ll make a visible difference—bringing the Sustainable Farming Scheme to life and helping deliver Wales’ ambitious Sustainable Land Management goals.

The post holders will work as part of a team alongside other Technical Support Officers across Wales and will be expected to travel regularly. A full, valid UK driving licence is essential, as the role may require visits to remote locations where access by public transport is limited or impractical.

Benefits of Working with Us

• Competitive salary with annual pay progression.
• Generous pension scheme and secure employment within the Welsh Government.
• Hybrid and flexible working options, including flexi‑time and job‑share opportunities.
• Excellent annual leave entitlement plus public holidays.
• A strong focus on wellbeing, including access to support services and staff networks.
• A welcoming, inclusive culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Comprehensive training and development, including opportunities to progress your career.

Want to Learn More?

We’re hosting an online information session where you can:

• Meet the teams
• Ask questions
• Explore what the roles involve
• Learn about development and progression opportunities

Online via Microsoft Teams on 20/08/2026 at 10:00 (Welsh)

Online via Microsoft Teams on 20/08/2026 at 11:00 (English)

To secure your place at either of these events, please email: [email removed]

Person specification

• Undertake on farms assessments, identifying habitats, their management needs and other environmental opportunities that could be delivered.
• Produce management plans to support farmers in the delivery actions to achieve environmental outcomes. For example, improving biodiversity through improved habitat management, creating habitats and adjusting land management practises to protect environmental features e.g. Water courses.
• Map habitats and associated management actions onto RPW systems.
• Provide technical advice, guidance, and act as a point of contact for farmers to answer questions and resolve issues and problems relating to the Sustainable Farming Scheme, habitat management and other environmental matters.
• Analysis of complex information such as customer evidence in support of requests to change habitat management requirements, applications for funding or appeals to deliver value for money and ensure environmental outcomes are achieved.
• To undertake financial and technical due diligence in the development of management plans and on applications for grant funding.
• To provide accurate advice and recommendations to senior managers on technical environmental issues relating to the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
• Ensure that IT systems are used effectively, records are maintained in accordance with the Welsh Government requirements.
• Managing your own work and prioritising cases in line with predetermined deadlines.
• Support the delivery of training on the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
• Ensuring Quality Standards are met in line with rules and requirements.
• Take care for the health and safety of yourself and others and to comply with all health and safety legislation as appropriate.
• To assist with other divisional priorities when required.

On farm assessments require individuals to walk considerable distances across uneven and sometimes challenging terrain in a variety of weather conditions throughout the year. Individuals will work in close proximity to both small and large livestock (including sheep and cattle) and may be required to undertake some physical interaction with animals.

Licences

Full UK driving license

Qualifications

Experience or relevant qualification in Ecology, Environmental Management, or Conservation alongside an understanding of agricultural practices this will be assessed through Experience 1 at Stage 1 and 2 and Technical at Stage 2

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be asked a technical question which will cover farming practices and their positive and negative impacts on habitats, species and the wider environment.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,754, Welsh Government contributes £8,909 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (