Senior Flood Management Officer

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Flood Management Officer to join their dedicated Strategic Flood Management Team. This role focuses on implementing innovative flood risk management strategies while engaging with communities and managing statutory duties. You'll work collaboratively with partners to build resilience against flooding and climate change, and your expertise will help shape critical infrastructure projects. This position offers a supportive and inclusive culture, with flexible working arrangements and a variety of benefits to reward your hard work and success.

Benefits

Flexible working

Pension schemes

Gym memberships

Travel discounts

Health and well-being initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in flood or water management with local authorities.
• Strong knowledge of water law and regulation.
• Ability to engage effectively with communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver statutory LLFA duties including flood investigations.
• Engage with communities to support flood action plans.
• Manage feasibility for flood mitigation projects.

Skills

Flood or water management experience

Understanding of flooding sources

Knowledge of surface water drainage

Hydraulic modelling and drainage software

Communication skills

Relationship building

Analytical skills

Project management experience

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Professional membership

Tools

CAD software

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 individuals, is dedicated to managing local flood risk in BC’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority. We are responsible for fulfilling the statutory duties (outlined below) of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), delivering flood management projects, developing new flood alleviation initiatives, and guiding flood management on large infrastructure projects.

We recently updated our LFRMS, which will guide our team’s direction over the coming years, including building community resilience to flood risk and climate change through supporting community flood action groups.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council, a relatively new organisation, combines the expertise of five previous councils to create positive change for residents, communities, and businesses. We are committed to serving residents better and providing stronger representation for Buckinghamshire both locally and nationally.

About the role

This role is ideal for someone with experience in flood or water management, gained through working with local authorities, risk management authorities, or consultancies.

The Senior Flood Management Officer will lead and deliver statutory LLFA duties, including flood investigations, land drainage consents, enforcement, and responding to enquiries. The role focuses on managing actions from our LFRMS, engaging with communities, and potentially managing small pipeline capital projects through feasibility and business case development.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver statutory duties of the LLFA, including flood investigations, land drainage consenting, enforcement, and community engagement.
• Implement actions from the LFRMS collaboratively with partners.
• Engage with communities to support flood groups and action plans.
• Build relationships with diverse stakeholders to manage local flood risk.
• Potentially manage feasibility and options appraisal for flood mitigation projects.

Any-Desk: As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need network access from home or an office, with some office presence required weekly depending on team needs.

About you

Skills & Experience

• Relevant experience and technical skills in flood or water management.
• Understanding of flooding sources, including groundwater mechanisms.
• Knowledge of surface water drainage and fluvial flood management best practices.
• Experience with hydraulic modelling, drainage software, or CAD is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of water law, regulation, and policy.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with the public and stakeholders.
• Ability to build relationships and represent the service area professionally.
• Self-motivated, with good prioritisation skills.
• Customer service skills, including handling challenging situations.
• Analytical, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant field is essential; professional membership is a plus.
• Project management experience is advantageous.

Applicants must declare unspent cautions or convictions, as the role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Our values and culture

We embody Pride, Ambition, Collaboration, and Trustworthiness. Joining us offers a fair, inclusive culture, health and well-being initiatives, development opportunities, and social activities. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring all colleagues feel valued and engaged. Flexible working arrangements support work-life balance.

About the Business Unit

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

We recognise and reward you

We value hard work and success, offering benefits like flexible working, discounts, pension schemes, gym memberships, and travel discounts, among others.