Senior Specialist Lawyer
| Posting date: | 16 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £54,212 to £59,873 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 February 2026 |
| Location: | Cardiff - Cathays Park |
| Company: | Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 204098 |
Summary
The role
As the environmental regulator of water and wastewater in Wales, NRW plays a vital role in ensuring that water discharge permits deliver the best outcomes for the environment - both now and for the future.
We are looking to appoint a lawyer to provide advice and support primarily to our Environmental Permitting department but also to our wider Policy and Regulatory functions. The focus will be on water quality and related matters, reflecting the growing need to protect Wales' waterbodies and the significant investment being directed towards this area.
A central aspect of this role will be to deliver clear, pragmatic, and risk based legal advice on complex issues relating to the permitting of storm overflows and other high profile water discharges. You will also play a key part in ensuring NRW's decisions are robust and able to withstand scrutiny. This may include representing NRW in legal proceedings such as judicial reviews or appeal to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).
Give the high level of public and media attention surrounding water quality in Wales, political awareness and sensitivity would be highly desirable.
About us
Our Legal Advisory Team provides expert advice and support across Natural Resources Wales. We advise on a wide range of areas, from industry regulation and conservation issues to planning, environmental permitting, commercial and procurement matters.
As the environmental regulator of water and wastewater in Wales, NRW plays a vital role in ensuring that water discharge permits deliver the best outcomes for the environment - both now and for the future.
We are looking to appoint a lawyer to provide advice and support primarily to our Environmental Permitting department but also to our wider Policy and Regulatory functions. The focus will be on water quality and related matters, reflecting the growing need to protect Wales' waterbodies and the significant investment being directed towards this area.
A central aspect of this role will be to deliver clear, pragmatic, and risk based legal advice on complex issues relating to the permitting of storm overflows and other high profile water discharges. You will also play a key part in ensuring NRW's decisions are robust and able to withstand scrutiny. This may include representing NRW in legal proceedings such as judicial reviews or appeal to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).
Give the high level of public and media attention surrounding water quality in Wales, political awareness and sensitivity would be highly desirable.
About us
Our Legal Advisory Team provides expert advice and support across Natural Resources Wales. We advise on a wide range of areas, from industry regulation and conservation issues to planning, environmental permitting, commercial and procurement matters.