Flood and Climate Resilience Senior Engineer

Leeds International; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible and hybrid working

Career development opportunities

Staff benefits

Job summary

Leeds City Council invites applications for a Senior Engineer in Flood Risk Management. You will lead asset management for critical flood assets across the city, overseeing inspections, maintenance and incident response to reduce flood risk for residents and infrastructure.

The role operates in a hybrid environment (office, site and home-based) with a permanent full-time contract and a PO3 salary. You will supervise teams, liaise with partners, and ensure health and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk assets.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate multiple schemes and adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience in asset management, flood risk, or infrastructure maintenance is essential.
• Knowledge of CDM/H&S and environment legislation.
• Ability to communicate clearly, write reports and present findings.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop AMX-type databases; inspect and report on assets.
• Support flood incident planning, response and recovery.
• Lead inspections and coordinate repairs of flood assets (Leeds FAS focus).
• Raise works orders and manage contractor relationships.
• Ensure all activities comply with policy, procedures and safety rules.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Problem solving

Health and safety

Education

HNC/HND or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Senior Engineer - Critical Asset Management - Flood & Climate Resilience Management

Salary: PO3 £44,253 - £47,665

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Waterside, Merrion House, Calverley Flood Storage Reservoir, Hybrid, Site Locations. Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role

As a Senior Engineer in Flood and Climate Resilience Management, you will play a key role in reducing flood risk across Leeds. Through the effective operation and maintenance of critical assets, you will help protect residents, businesses, and vital infrastructure.

To watch videos on the impact of our schemes and see some of the assets FCRM manage, operate and inspect visit: Leeds Flood and Climate Resilience Team Impacts and Projects

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

About You

As a Senior Engineer, you will bring to the role:

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in the delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management or related assets.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of schemes and adapting to changing and challenging circumstances and priorities.
• Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.
• Strong organisational skills, with a track record of meeting deadlines, managing competing priorities and maintaining high standards.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

About the role

This is a senior role which offers a diverse and challenging workload. You will lead, support, advise and assess the work of others both within the council and external parties, including consultants and contractors to ensure we protect against present and future flood risk. We're seeking a proactive and detail-oriented engineer with experience in asset management, flood risk, or infrastructure maintenance.

As the Senior Engineer in the Asset Management Team, you will be involved in:

• Maintaining and developing databases such at AMX, inspecting and reporting on existing assets accurately and in a timely manner.
• Actively support the Council's flood incident planning, response, and recovery efforts.
• Lead inspections and coordinate repairs of flood assets, with a strong focus on the Leeds FAS scheme. Identify maintenance needs, raise works orders, and manage contractor relationships.
• Adhere to Leeds City Council policies and procedures in all aspects of your work.
• Ensuring all operational activities are delivered in line with Leeds City Council policies, procedures and health and safety requirements.

Working across office, site and home environments, you will support a flexible and collaborative team culture. This is an opportunity to play a key role in maintaining and improving flood resilience across Leeds, within a supportive team with opportunities for development.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To work as a Senior Member of the Flood Risk Management Team engaged in all works to reduce flood risk in Leeds also to engage in the delivery, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets, undertake activities as required and supervise the work of other staff within the team.

Principal Responsibilities

• Work with a small group of staff and the supply chain engaged in the delivery, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets, including the Leeds FAS.
• To motivate and coach staff to achieve Corporate Plan, Service Plan and Divisional Plan Objectives.
• Supervision, appraisals and support for members of the team
• Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focusing on equality of outcome.
• Represent the Service, the Department and the Council as a Senior Officer at various meetings.
• Good awareness of Health and Safety legislation.
• Undertaking other duties of a similar nature and responsibility as may be determined.
• To abide by the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.

It should be noted that this job description is subject to occasional changes in response to organisation change/review or to assist flexibility. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list. Other duties may be undertaken which are commensurate with the grade and within the spirit of the post as specified by the Manager after consultation with staff concerned/trade unions.

Responsibilities for Grade

• Undertake delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets, including the Leeds FAS and as a senior team member manage schemes, contracts and supervise staff.
• Provide a high quality and cost-effective asset management service to support the inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets with particular focus on the Leeds FAS.
• Support the development of policies to ensure efficient service delivery, continuous improvement and corporate objectives.
• Represent the Service, the Department and the Council as a senior officer for matters relating to the management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets.
• Experience of working within the requirements of the CDM regulations, H&S and environmental legislation.
• Ensure that all work is produced in accordance with legislation and to the appropriate local, national and corporate standards, policies and practices.
• An understanding of working within the framework of highway and flood risk management legislation and statutory procedures.
• Assist in the development of partnership working.
• Continually develop and maintain specialist knowledge of contemporary issues associated with the preparation and delivery and management of flood risk management assets and schemes.
• Undertake the role of Supervisor on maintenance and construction contracts when required.
• Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council schemes and supporting the Flood Risk Management Team.
• Plan and carry out flood incident management activities including a particular focus on the Leeds FAS.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

HNC/HND or similar relevant qualifications or can demonstrate relevant experience at a senior level.

Essential Requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while providing leadership to achieve positive outcomes and deliver a flexible, responsive service.
• Commitment to continued professional development.
• Ability to monitor and coach more junior members of staff.
• Achievement of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
• An understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery.
• Ability to contribute to initiatives to improve standards and performance.
• Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.
• A working knowledge of CDM, H&S and environmental Legislation.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of schemes and adapting to changing and challenging circumstances and priorities.
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in the delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management or related assets.
• Well-developed computer skills in relation to the delivery of highway and flood risk management schemes and asset management.
• Ability to plan and carry out flood incident management activities with particular focus on the Leeds FAS.
• Experience of delivery and managing schemes and assets to meet customer needs using scheme management techniques and reporting recommendations.
• Appreciation of the public sector and its relationship with the private and third sectors.
• Ability to interpret corporate vision and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
• Ability to communicate key issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to write reports and carry out presentations, including post flood investigations and Section 19 reports.
• Awareness of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
• Ability to work in close liaison with Flood Risk Management Senior Officers, and members of the public.
• Possess a current driving licence.

Desirable Requirements

• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to resolve conflict
• Awareness of public sector issues
• Ability to develop and contribute to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes
• Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence
• Ability to be practical and hands on where and when necessary
• Experience and skills to manage contractors acting as the Engineers Representative on behalf of the Council
• Knowledge of hydrological processes and modelling
• Detailed knowledge of national guidance and procedures in relation to flood risk
• Knowledge of drainage law and responsibilities

The postholder will be required to liaise with:

• Staff of Highways & Transportation
• Client Departments of the City Council
• External clients, contractors, and consultants
• Elected representatives
• Members of the public

The postholder may be required to have contact with:

• The Departmental Management Team
• Staff of external partner organisations - e.g. Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and neighbouring Lead Local Flood Authorities

Experience Required:

• Leadership and technical experience in flood risk management or wider civil engineering and environmental disciplines.
• Of an awareness of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
• Of managing in an office environment.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.