4065 - Head of Operations (Inspections) - Disused Tips Authority

Establishing the Disused Tips Authority

The Disused Tips Authority (DTA) will become fully operational on 1 April 2027. We are recruiting now for a number of senior leadership roles to help shape the organisation, build its capability and culture, and prepare the Authority to assume its statutory responsibilities from day one.This is a unique opportunity to join the DTA during its formative stages and play a key role in establishing a new public body for Wales.

Important: The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies, or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for the information relevant to this vacancy.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the operational foundations of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as both a trusted regulator and a recognised centre of excellence in inspection, operational capability and public safety.

To learn more about the Authority's purpose, ambitions, culture, values, benefits and recruitment journey, please review the Candidate Information Pack and recruitment video.

Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales

General Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign

Help build the inspection capability behind one of Wales' newest public bodies.

The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend on the quality, consistency and professionalism of our operational inspection capability.

As Head of Operations (Inspections), you will play a critical leadership role in developing and leading the Authority's national inspection service. You will ensure inspections are delivered consistently, proportionately and in accordance with statutory requirements, providing the evidence and assurance needed to identify, assess and manage risks to communities across Wales.

This is a broad strategic leadership role. Alongside leading the Authority's inspection function, you will shape operational standards, inspection methodologies and workforce capability, ensuring inspection activity is aligned to the Board's strategic vision and Corporate Plan while supporting effective regulation and public confidence.

Beyond the organisation itself, you will play a pivotal role in developing the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence in inspection practice and operational capability. Working with Welsh Government, local authorities, technical specialists, professional institutions and industry partners, you will help strengthen professional standards, share good practice and develop the capability needed to support the long-term management of disused tips across Wales.

The role is both inward and outward facing:

• Internally, you will build a professional, consistent and high-performing inspection service where colleagues are empowered to apply sound technical judgement, work safely and continuously improve operational delivery.
• Externally, you will work collaboratively with local authorities, regulators, landowners, technical experts and other partners to strengthen inspection capability, promote consistency and support effective risk management across Wales.

A degree in engineering, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, environmental science or a related discipline; OR a HNC/HND (or equivalent) supported by significant relevant operational experience in inspection, engineering, environmental or infrastructure disciplines

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 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

Assessment

A degree in engineering, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, environmental science or a related discipline; OR a HNC/HND (or equivalent) supported by significant relevant operational experience in inspection, engineering, environmental or infrastructure disciplines.

Our assessment process is designed to evaluate candidates against three core areas: technical capability, values and leadership.

Stage 1 - Technical capability to be tested via CV and Statement of Suitability

Stage 2 - Technical Capability and Our Values to be tested via interview (with presentation)

Please refer to the candidate pack for further detail.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for these opportunities.Candidates offered reserve status will remain on the reserve list until the Disused Tips Authority is established in April 2027. Those placed on the reserve list will only be considered for opportunities within the Disused Tips Authority and will not be considered for Welsh Government vacancies.

Desirable

The following qualities are desirable and will only be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage:

1. Welsh Language - the Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and to providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and to play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace.We welcome applications from Welsh speakers and from individuals who are committed to developing their Welsh language skills. We will support colleagues at all levels to learn, use and increase their confidence in Welsh as part of their day-to-day work, helping to build a truly bilingual organisation.

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