Flood Risk Planning and Projects Officer

Staffordshire County Council; Lichfield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Lichfield is looking for a Flood Risk Planning Officer to enhance its Flood Risk Management Team. The role involves providing technical planning advice, developing management strategies for flood risks, and engaging with various stakeholders, including Local Authorities and the public. Ideal candidates should have relevant experience and a solid understanding of statutory flood risk management procedures. This position offers opportunities for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Access to employee rewards and benefits

Supportive working environment

Commitment to equal opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in day-to-day flood risk services and collaboration with partners.
• Strong understanding of flood risk management legislation and compliance.
• Proficiency in assessing planning applications for flood risk.

Responsibilities

• Provide formal technical advice on planning applications regarding flood safety.
• Develop local flood risk management strategies and surface water management plans.
• Investigate significant flood incidents and propose solutions.
• Offer guidance on drainage and flood risk to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures

Experience with drainage and flood risk mapping

Excellent knowledge of flood risk management policies

Experience working with Local Authorities

Knowledge of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Familiarity with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Ability to engage with the public and stakeholders

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification

Tools

Drainage Design Packages

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting development opportunity in the Council in the Flood Risk Management Team?

You will have the opportunity to work across a wide range of disciplines including, Highways, Planning, Environmental and Emergency Planning disciplines and with various external partners.

Our Flood Risk Service has a proven track record and is nationally recognised for its work and excellent achievement of delivering priorities including the provision of a flood risk management service to a number of neighbouring Lead Local Flood Authorities.

We are a Lead Local Flood Authority and provide a number of flood-related functions including providing statutory responses to planning applications, undertaking flood investigations, land drainage consents and scheme/project delivery. We act as the lead and co-ordinating body to reduce flood risk to residents and businesses within Staffordshire.

This role is largely about undertaking the role of Flood Risk Planning Officer - under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010

Working from our Lichfield Highways, Trent Valley Road Lichfield, WS13 6EU

Main Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Planning Advice: Acting as a statutory consultee, providing formal technical advice on planning applications to ensure developments are safe from flood risk.
• Strategy & Policy: Developing and delivering local flood risk management strategies and Surface Water Management Plans.
• Flood Investigations: Investigating significant flood incidents and outlining solutions with other authorities.
• Technical Advice: Offering expert guidance on drainage, flood risk, and nature-based solutions to internal teams (e.g., Highways) and external partners.
• Acting on behalf of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) by preparing formal written responses, attending committee meetings, and engaging with developers, landowners, and members of the public
• Development advice: Experience in assessing sites in regards to flood risk and potential sustainable drainage options.
• Pre-Application advice: Delivering pre-application development advice to developers, Landowners

The Ideal Candidate

You will have experience of the day to day delivery of flood risk services and working with other partner organisations and highway services to promote joined up and efficient flood risk management, together with:

• Knowledge and understanding of the administrative, statutory and legal procedures relating to highway, planning, land drainage and flood risk management
• Experience and use of drainage and flood risk mapping
• Excellent knowledge of policies & design standards in relation to flood risk management and drainage systems.
• Experience working with Local Authorities, Environment Agency, Water Companies; handling public queries; engaging with general public, landowners, Council members.
• Knowledge and experience reviewing planning applications and commenting
• Knowledge concerning The National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
• Knowledge of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
• Knowledge of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG)
• Knowledge of industry Software & Best Practice: e.g.Drainage Design Packages

We're happy to talk flexible working

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 26th January 2026.

Don't feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so consider applying anyway or for an informal chat about the role please contact Andrew Brett, Principal Flood Risk Engineer (Acting Flood Risk Manager) at: [e-mail]

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our Benefits

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a GoldAward Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.