Flood Risk Planning and Projects Officer

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Stafford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Staffordshire is seeking a Flood Risk Planning Officer to provide planning advice, develop flood management strategies, and investigate flood incidents. Candidates should have a strong background in flood risk management, knowledge of relevant policies, and experience with Local Authorities. This role supports flexible working and promotes a collaborative environment to enhance flood risk management activities.

Benefits

Flexible working

Supportive working environment

Access to employee rewards and benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering flood risk services and engaging with partner organisations.
• Knowledge of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
• Understanding of administrative and statutory procedures in flood risk management.

Responsibilities

• Providing formal technical advice on planning applications related to flood risk.
• Developing local flood risk management strategies.
• Investigating significant flood incidents and proposing solutions.

Skills

Knowledge of flood risk management

Experience working with Local Authorities

Excellent knowledge of design standards

Experience in drainage mapping

Knowledge of industry software

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].

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council.

Our values, built from colleague feedback and national best practice, drive how we think and act collectively. We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together and we are ambitious to create a better future.

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 maintain 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.

Recruitment and Equality

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award 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.