Location: Aylesbury
Overview
Would you like to be part of a dynamic team that ensures that new developments throughout Buckinghamshire are designed to account for and manage surface water flood risk? We are looking for a Senior Sustainable Drainage Officer to join the Sustainable Drainage Team.
About us
The council’s Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. It delivers planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property management services.
The Directorate’s key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. It also aims to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.
The Flood Risk Management Team (managed by the Climate Change Programme and Partnership Manager) manages flood risk in fulfilling the council’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). The Team is comprised of the Strategic Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Team, Project Groundwater, and the Capital Flood Programme; with officers that are enthusiastic and passionate about managing local flood risk.
The Flood Risk Management Team delivers the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), development and delivery of a number of flood management and research projects, and guiding the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.
The Sustainable Drainage Team is responsible for mitigating, as far as practicable, negative flood risk impacts arising from new developments. This is achieved through responses to consultations on new developments, imposing planning conditions, providing pre planning application advice, and helping shape sustainable drainage planning policy.
It’s a great time to join our team. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
About the role
Would you like to be part of a dynamic team that ensures that new developments throughout Buckinghamshire are designed to account for and manage surface water flood risk?
Working as part of a team, you will review flood risk data and surface water drainage schemes and provide comments on behalf of the LLFA to planning application consultations. You will be advising the Local Planning Authority (LPA) on how development proposals are in line with best practice as well as both national and local policy. This role will allow you to engage with planning officers, developers and their drainage consultants as well as other Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) to ensure a sustainable approach to managing surface water runoff.
The successful candidate will join the team in shaping how sustainable drainage is promoted across the county through the delivery guidance documents and projects.
Any-Desk:
As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.
About you
Relevant experience within the flood management, planning or environmental sector is essential within this role, and you should apply if:
1. Substantial relevant experience and technical skills in flood risk and surface water drainage assessments within the planning process, which you may have gained while working in a previous consultancy, local authority or other Risk Management Authority.
2. Excellent understanding of best practice guidance and tools for surface water drainage and flood risk management
3. Excellent ability to communicate authoritative specialist advice to a range of audiences in both written and verbal contexts, e.g. attending planning committees
4. Well developed customer service skills, with an ability to deal with challenging situations or escalated complaints, utilising significant persuasion and influencing skills.
5. Ability to manage and prioritise work to meet deadlines
6. Project management skills and experience