Flood Management Officer

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Do you want to help us, our partner organisations, and our communities to better manage flood risk? We have a great opportunity for a Flood Management Officer to gain experience in the delivery of statutory flood management duties of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), including land drainage consenting, enforcement, responding to enquiries, developing our asset register, and undertaking flood investigations. The role will involve working with a diverse range of partners (internal and external) and members of the community to manage local flood risk, including out on site and in the community.

About us

The Flood Risk Management Team (managed by the Climate Change Programme and Partnership Manager) manage flood risk in Buckinghamshire Council’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). The Team is comprised of the Strategic Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Team, Project Groundwater, and the Capital Flood Programme; with officers that are enthusiastic and passionate about managing local flood risk.

The Flood Risk Management Team deliver the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), development and delivery of a number of flood management and research projects, and guiding the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.

The Strategic Flood Management Team, which this role is situated within, is responsible for the non-planning statutory role of the LLFA (including Flood Investigations, Land Drainage Consents and Enforcement, and responding to enquiries).

We have recently updated our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, which includes a number of exciting actions, including building the resilience of our communities to flood risk and climate change through planning and delivering flood resilience engagement and supporting community flood action groups.

About the role

Are you keen to be involved with delivering a wide variety of the duties of the LLFA duties, focusing on working with internal and external stakeholders on delivering statutory responsibilities such as undertaking flood investigations, land drainage consenting and enforcement, providing flood management advice to customers, and improving our asset register?

This is an exciting opportunity for someone keen to begin their career and develop in the area of Flood Management, and who wants to be involved in a proactive and exciting part of the Council. This work will be delivered through working with internal and external stakeholders, members of communities and other Risk Management Partners to manage local flood risk. There is also potential to support the team in working with Flood Action Groups and helping communities build their own resilience to flooding.

Any Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office at least twice a week.

The role will require occasional site visit work out on site or in the community, such as collecting observations and investigating flooding issues, engaging with stakeholders and assisting with providing flood management advice.

About you

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team with a passion for making a difference in our communities by reducing the risk of flooding to people and property through a wide variety of work.

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals with a technical aptitude and strong initiative to join our team and help improve the management of flood risk within Buckinghamshire. You’ll be supported in developing your skills and experience on the job through a broad range of flood risk management work, focusing on but not necessarily limited to the statutory duties listed above.

Key Accountabilities

• Work in a dynamic team to deliver the statutory duties of the LLFA (including consenting, enforcement, and responding to enquiries), with a particular focus on being out in the community where flooding has occurred
• Work with a diverse range of partners (internal and external) and members of the community to manage local flood risk
• Visit sites of flooding and communities where there are flooding issues and undertake flood investigations (e.g under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010) to establish the causes of flooding and determine potential mitigation

Skills & Experience

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, or relevant experience and technical skills in a flood or water management role
• Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of the Lead Local Flood Authority
• Good understanding of flood risk and drainage principles
• Ability to manage and prioritise work to meet deadlines
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders, and an ability to represent professional service areas both internally and externally
• Confident and articulate in engaging with the public and other stakeholders
• Aptitude for communicating technical issues to professional partners, elected members and the general public.
• Able to provide specialist advice under pressure
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication and presentation skills.

For full details please see the attached job summary.

Please note that a driving licence and access to your own vehicle will be an essential requirement of this role. However, we may consider interviewing suitable candidates who plan to take their driving test in the near future and who can demonstrate a commitment to obtaining their own vehicle.

Other information

Number of positions available: 1 permanent contract.

Interview will take place TBC.

Interview-type / process: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.