4041 - Environmental Support Officer

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.

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: RPW.DivisionalReturns@gov.wales

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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:2 stage process

Stage 1Application Form

Stage 2Interview

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 (interview)

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

Reserve Candidates will need to specify their preferred location at application. Reserve candidates will be contacted if further identical or comparable roles become available.

Merit Order: In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, the below list will determine the merit order, and which candidate will be appointed. Please note that posts will be offered based on the applicant’s nearest location, which will be confirmed at the application stage. Each location will maintain its own reserve list, created using the weighted criteria outlined below,

• Technical
• Experience 1
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating & Influencing

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.