Technician / Assistant Engineer (Flood Risk)

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary

Pension

Annual leave

Flexible/hybrid working

Learning & development

Health & wellbeing

Cycle to work

Car scheme

Discounts

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Flood Risk Engineer to support flood risk management, land drainage and highway drainage across Gateshead. You will investigate incidents, manage drainage improvement programmes and contribute to resilience for local communities.

You will work with Risk Management Authorities, partners and residents, applying civil engineering knowledge, GIS and asset management systems to deliver practical solutions and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of civil engineering and drainage practices, plus public sewer networks.
• Understanding flood risk legislation and statutory duties.
• Experience in flood risk, drainage or civil engineering environments.
• Experience using ICT systems, asset management databases and GIS.
• Strong partnership working and stakeholder engagement skills.
• HNC or Incorporated Engineer status, with a valid driving licence or mobility support.
• Customer-focused, flexible and proactive approach with good communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of flood risk management, land drainage and highway drainage responsibilities.
• Investigate and report flooding incidents and maintain records/databases.
• Prepare and manage minor drainage improvement programmes arising from flood investigations.
• Support development and delivery of flood risk management schemes and projects.
• Manage routine inspection programmes for culverts and drainage infrastructure.
• Collaborate with Risk Management Authorities and partners to develop solutions.
• Engage with residents, businesses and providers, communicating flood risk clearly.
• Contribute to service improvement and best practices.

Skills

Civil engineering

Flood risk management

GIS / ICT systems

Partnership working

Communication skills

Driving licence

Education

HNC in a relevant discipline

Tools

GIS

Job description

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match. We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Help protect communities, infrastructure and the environment by supporting the management of flood risk across Gateshead.

Our Flood Risk Management team plays a vital role in helping to protect communities, businesses and infrastructure from flooding across Gateshead. Working closely with internal services, partner organisations and local communities, we manage flood risk, land drainage and highway drainage responsibilities, investigate flooding incidents and develop solutions that improve resilience. We are a collaborative and forward-thinking team, committed to continuous improvement, innovation and delivering practical engineering solutions that make a real difference to people’s lives.

Build your engineering career while helping shape a more resilient future for local communities.

What You Will Get To Do

• Support the delivery of Gateshead Council's responsibilities relating to flood risk management, land drainage and highway drainage.
• Investigate and report on highway, surface water and ordinary watercourse flooding incidents and maintain flood incident records and databases.
• Prepare and manage programmes of minor drainage improvement works arising from flood investigations.
• Support the development and delivery of flood risk management schemes and improvement projects.
• Manage routine inspection programmes for culverts, land drainage assets and critical highway drainage infrastructure.
• Work collaboratively with Risk Management Authorities and partner organisations to develop effective solutions and promote joined-up working.
• Engage with residents, businesses and infrastructure providers, providing clear communication and support on flood risk matters.
• Contribute to service improvement, innovation and the development of best practices.
• Represent the service at meetings, working groups and partnership forums as required.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and council policies.
• Work collaboratively as part of a supportive team, sharing knowledge and contributing to service objectives.

What You Will Bring

• Knowledge of civil engineering and construction practices, together with highway drainage, land drainage, sustainable drainage systems and public sewer networks.
• Understanding of flood risk management legislation, statutory duties and responsibilities relating to flood risk, land drainage and highway drainage.
• Experience of working within a flood risk, drainage, civil engineering or similar technical environment, with responsibility for delivering engineering or infrastructure-related activities.
• Experience of using ICT systems, asset management databases and geographical/graphical information systems.
• Strong partnership working skills and the ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, communities and external organisations.
• An HNC in a relevant discipline, Incorporated Engineer status, or equivalent relevant experience, together with a current driving licence or an alternative means of mobility support.
• A customer-focused, flexible and proactive approach, with excellent communication skills, a commitment to learning and development, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Please note:

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.

Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.