Senior Flood Management Officer

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Flood Management Officer with Buckinghamshire Council, focusing on flood risk management through innovative actions and community engagement. Ideal candidates should possess significant experience in flood or water management, with responsibilities including delivering statutory duties, community initiatives, and coordinating with partners. A degree in a relevant discipline is essential, and project management skills are advantageous. The role offers a competitive salary and benefits in a supportive, collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working

Pension schemes

Gym memberships

Travel discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in flood or water management gained in local authorities, risk management agencies, or consultancy.
• Understanding of all flood sources, including groundwater.
• Strong knowledge of water law, regulation, and policy.
• Project management experience welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Deliver statutory duties of the Lead Local Flood Authority, including flood investigations and land drainage consenting.
• Plan and execute community engagement initiatives, establishing flood action groups.
• Manage relationships with diverse stakeholders to effectively manage flood risks.

Skills

Flood or water management experience

Knowledge of flood sources

Surface water drainage best practices

Hydraulic modelling

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Customer service skills

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Drainage software or CAD

Job description

Do you want to help us, our partner organisations, and our communities to better manage flood risk, with a focus on implementing innovative actions from our forthcoming Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS), including engaging with communities? We have a great opportunity for a Senior Flood Management Officer to join the Strategic Flood Management Team on a permanent basis.

The Strategic Flood Management Team, a group of fifteen passionate professionals, is dedicated to managing local flood risk in BC’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority. We are responsible for delivering the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), executing flood management projects, developing new flood alleviation initiatives, and guiding flood management on large infrastructure projects.

We recently updated our LFRMS, which will direct our team's efforts over the coming years, including actions to bolster community resilience to flood risk and climate change by supporting community flood action groups.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that consolidates the expertise of five previous councils in the county to create positive change for residents, communities, and businesses. We are committed to serving residents better and ensuring strong representation both locally and nationally.

About the role

This role is ideal for someone with experience in flood or water management, possibly gained in a local authority, risk management authority, or consultancy. The Senior Flood Management Officer will lead and deliver statutory responsibilities of the LLFA, such as flood investigations, land drainage consents, enforcement, and responding to enquiries.

The role emphasizes managing and implementing actions from our LFRMS in collaboration with partners, including community engagement and possibly managing small pipeline capital projects through feasibility and business case stages.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver statutory duties of the LLFA, including flood investigations, land drainage consenting, enforcement, and community engagement.
• Coordinate actions from our LFRMS with internal and external partners.
• Plan and execute community engagement initiatives, such as establishing flood action groups and developing action plans.
• Build relationships with diverse stakeholders to manage flood risk effectively.
• Potentially manage feasibility studies and options appraisal for flood mitigation projects.

Any-Desk:

This role requires connectivity to our network for digital access, which can be from home or the office, with occasional office visits as needed.

About you

Skills & Experience

• Experience and technical skills in flood or water management, gained in local authorities, risk management agencies, or consultancy.
• Understanding of all flood sources, including groundwater mechanisms.
• Knowledge of best practices for surface water drainage and fluvial flood management.
• Experience with hydraulic modelling, drainage software, or CAD is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of water law, regulation, and policy.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging with the public and stakeholders.
• Ability to explain complex technical issues clearly.
• Relationship-building skills with stakeholders and representation abilities.
• Self-motivated with good time management and initiative.
• Customer service skills, including handling challenging situations.
• Analytical, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Degree in a relevant discipline is essential; membership of a professional body is a plus.
• Project management experience is welcomed.

For more details, see the attached job summary and focus on the key requirements above.

Other information

For informal inquiries, contact Andrew Waugh at [emailprotected] or 01296 382621.

This role requires declaration of unspent cautions or convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We may close the vacancy early once sufficient applications are received, so apply promptly.

Our values and culture

Our values are Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy. We offer a fair, inclusive culture with health and well-being initiatives, support networks, and development opportunities. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, promoting equality, fairness, and accessibility in our workplace.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate shapes Buckinghamshire’s future through services in planning, economic growth, regeneration, infrastructure, transport, and property. We focus on creating jobs, delivering infrastructure, and supporting community development.

We recognise and reward you

We value our employees’ efforts with benefits including flexible working, pension schemes, discounts, gym memberships, and travel discounts, fostering a healthy work-life balance.