Job Title: Technician (Flood and Climate Resilience Management)
Salary: C1 £28,598 - £31,022
Hours: 37hrs
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House
Could you make a difference to the future of our city?
The impacts of a changing climate are challenging for countries and cities across the world. The Flood & Climate Resilience Management (FCRM) team here in Leeds is doing innovative and important work to make Leeds a more climate resilient city. If you’re motivated to help protect Leeds from the impacts of climate change both now and in the future, we’d love for you to join us.
Following the completion of one of the largest and most innovative flood schemes in the country this year, we are seeking to recruit to a number of roles across our team, and we have opportunities at a range of grades and in different specialist areas. Although traditionally flood risk management is a civil engineering discipline, our FCRM team here in Leeds is looking for a diverse group of people that can bring skills and experience from a broad range of disciplines, such as (but not limited to) geography, project management, infrastructure operation and maintenance, data management, and environmental management.
To find out more about some of our ongoing and completed schemes visit:
To watch videos on the impact of our schemes and what it’s like to work in the FCRM team visit: Leeds Flood and Climate Resilience Team Impacts and Projects
Leeds is a growing, vibrant and diverse city, and Leeds City Council is the second largest local authority in England, as well as being an inclusive, modern and flexible employer. We are also one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
To see what roles we have available, please click here. Please also note that we are conducting a coordinated recruitment campaign and may consider candidates for a number of roles.
About you
As a Technician in Flood & Climate Resilience Management, you will bring to the role:
1. Ability to work as an effective member of a team in order to achieve positive outcomes and provide a flexible and responsive service.
2. An understanding of drainage, sewerage systems and basic drainage law
3. An understanding/appreciation of Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and other related flood risk management legislation
4. Ideally have relevant experience in the inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management or related assets
5. Exceptional customer service and communication skills with a focus on achieving the best outcome for the community.
6. Good organisation skills and capable of achieving agreed deadlines and targets whilst maintaining quality.
7. Ability to actively identify problems and suggested solutions.
About the role
We have a rewarding opportunity for a Flood Risk professional working with other teams across Flood and Climate Resilience Management and the wider Civil Engineering service area. This is a role which offers a diverse and challenging workload. You will support, the work of others both within the council and external parties, including contractors to ensure we protect against present and future flood risk.
With a multitude of innovative schemes currently underway to help support the city’s ambition to be ‘The Best’, this is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-looking workforce.
As the Technician in the Investigations Team, you will be involved in:
8. Helping to maintain council owned ordinary watercourses and flood risk assets, identifying maintenance needs, raising works, working closely with contractors and making sure equality in service delivery.
9. Completing flooding investigations and surveys using GIS mapping and asset management systems to collate data.
10. Using drainage cameras to complete condition and connectivity surveys, recording, and producing results. Using Levelling equipment to produce topographical surveys.
11. Liaising with residents, businesses, councillors and other LCC teams, to advise on legal responsibilities and to regulate, using legislative powers given to us as Lead Local Flood Authority.
This role is an integral part of our Investigations Team, we carry out a wide variety of tasks, that will take you all over the city, from working onsite, to the office and flexible home working. The team, as a whole is expanding and with the completion of the FAS2 scheme this year, it’s an exciting time for FCRM, with lots of opportunities to develop and progress.
No direct engineering qualifications are required for this role.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
12. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
13. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
14. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
15. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
16. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose
To work as a member of the Flood and Climate Resilience Management Team engaged in all works to reduce flood risk in Leeds.
Responsibilities
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assisting Flood and Climate Resilience Management Senior Staff in the delivery of services by providing technical support including:
17. Receiving and checking of invoices passing onto the appropriate Flood Risk Engineer, for final checking and signing off.
18. Data input and management on a range of systems relating to planning applications, the Land Drainage Database System, work instructions and using the GIS Mapping system.
19. To assist in the activity of the Flood and Climate Resilience Management section to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council’s Corporate Plan and comply with Government Standards.
20. To assist in the delivery of specified elements of the Divisional Plan, Service Plan and Corporate Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.
21. To assist in the promotion and delivery of positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focusing on equality of outcome.
22. Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council schemes and supporting the Flood and Climate Resilience Team.
23. To assist Flood and Climate Resilience Management in the maintenance of good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.
24. Maintaining positive and productive team relationships, with in Flood Risk Management encouraging initiative, innovation and effective communication.
25. Deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working and the acceptance of responsibility.
26. Assisting Flood and Climate Resilience Management Senior Staff in the delivery of services by providing administrative support within the office including:
27. Assisting Flood and Climate Resilience Management staff in co-ordinating the flood alleviation scheme incident response information.
28. Management of diaries schedule appointments and organise meetings to prioritise and ensure the most effective use of time.
29. To schedule meetings, to prepare agendas and reports and to produce minutes of meetings to a high standard and a set deadline.
30. To receive and direct incoming and outgoing mail, to pass correspondence onto the appropriate Flood Risk Officer for attention and reply.
31. First line of contact for screening and prioritising telephone calls and correspondence.
32. Filing and record keeping; establishing and maintaining effective manual and computerised systems.
33. Dealing with arrangements for the Flood and Climate Resilience Management Team for attending conferences including booking of places, accommodation and travel arrangements using Click travel.
34. To work with the Flood and Climate Resilience Management Team to provide seamless support service.
35. Undertaking other duties of a similar nature and responsibility as may be determined.
36. To abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
It should be noted that this job description is subject to occasional changes in response to organisation change/review or to assist flexibility. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list. Other duties may be undertaken which are commensurate with the grade and within the spirit of the post as specified by the Manager after consultation with staff concerned/trade unions.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
37. To ensure the team delivers against its KPIs, including supervision of junior staff including trainees.
38. Support the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure efficient service delivery, continuous improvement and corporate objectives.
39. Prepare documents and information relating to the work of the Flood and Climate Resilience Management Team as directed by Senior Staff.
40. Assist with Flood Risk Inspections on site as required.
41. Undertake scheme and general administration as required.
42. Assist in the development of partnership working.
Work co-operatively with other teams in the Department to effectively respond to cross-cutting issues within the Council as defined by the Flood Risk Manager.
Qualifications
NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification or can demonstrate relevant experience at a senior level.
Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
43. Ability to listen actively, ask questions, clarify points and check understanding.
44. Awareness of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
45. Good organisation skills and capable of achieving agreed deadlines and targets whilst maintaining quality.
46. Ability to work in close liaison with Flood and Climate Resilience Management Officers and members of the public.
47. Ability to produce correspondence/reports to a proficient standard using a variety of computer software, e.g. GIS Mapping, Word, Excel, Outlook etc.
48. Ability to produce presentational material electronically.
49. Ability to prioritise and organise workloads with a minimum of supervision, to work on own initiative.
50. Ability to deal with sensitive and confidential information.
51. Ability to work to deadlines.
52. Ability to actively identify problems and suggested solutions.
53. Ability to promote a professional image of self, to the Department and the Council.
54. Able to modify style and response depending on the audience and the situation.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
55. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
56. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
57. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
58. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
59. Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
60. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
61. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
62. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
63. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements
64. Possess a current driving licence
65. Ability to work as an effective member of a team in order to provide a flexible and responsive service.
66. Ability to organise diaries and arrange meetings in an effective way using a computerised diary system.
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