Flood and Coastal Risk Management Advisor
Flood and Coastal Risk Management Advisor
Number of jobs available
1
Region
East of England
City/Town
Huntingdon, Ipswich, Norwich
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP DRAGONFLY HOUSE, NR3 1UB, DEFRA GRP EA BRAMPTON OFFICE, PE28 4NE, DEFRA GRP EA ICENI HOUSE, IP3 9JD
Grade
Staff Grade 5
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Environment & Sustainability, Geography, Planning, Risk Management
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time
Salary Minimum
£43,198
Closing Date:
20/10/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile - – 181KB Opens in a new window
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack - – 2043KB Opens in a new window
Converted File Candidate Pack - – 720KB Opens in a new window
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
Help Shape a Flood-Resilient Future
Flooding is a growing challenge as climate change and economic development reshape East Anglia. The Environment Agency leads the strategic response to all sources of flooding, helping communities and the environment adapt and thrive.
We're looking for a passionate and proactive Flood and Coastal Risk Management Advisor to join our Partnerships and Strategic Overview (PSO) Team. In this dynamic, varied and rewarding role you'll help better protect people, property, and places across East Anglia from the impacts of flooding. You'll have the opportunity to make a real difference — not just in how we manage flood risk today, but in how we prepare for tomorrow.
As a technical leader, you will:
* Use flood risk data, modelling, and your experience to influence complex planning decisions.
* Evaluate flood risk assessments and provide expert advice to reduce flood risk and ensure the safety of new developments.
* Influence Local Plans and Strategies to ensure flood resilience is built into future development.
* Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to build understanding and drive action.
* Confidently represent the Environment Agency when challenged through written representation, hearings or inquiries.
* Use your experience and technical leadership skills to mentor and coach more junior team members.
* Seek and embed innovative solutions and new ways of working.
* Take part in incident response when flooding occurs.
In East Anglia we want to create a diverse workplace where people are respected, valued and listened to. We're all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where jointly we all grow and learn together.
It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.
Find out more about working with us:
The team
The Partnerships and Strategic Overview (PSO) Team, part of Local Operations, works with communities and partners to better understand and manage flood risk.
Our 4 main work areas include: using evidence (data, modelling, mapping); providing strategic direction; developing and delivering projects; and regulating activities like planning and permitting.
Our aim is to help our communities and environment be climate resilient - so when flooding happens, it causes less damage and recovery is quicker for everyone.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
* Experience in flood and coastal risk management and spatial planning
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team to make decisions and achieve outcomes.
* Excellent communication skills to convey complex information clearly, accurately, and persuasively.
* Excellent influencing and engagement skills to quickly develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers.
* Effective time management, ability to work under pressure and at pace, reprioritising as work comes in.
* Delivery of work to time and quality.
* Good problem-solving capabilities, including developing and embedding innovative solutions and new ways of working.
* Desire to progress your own learning and development, and that of others.
Helpful:
* Practical knowledge of GIS software.
* Degree in a relevant field such engineering, geography, or science.
* Full UK driving licence.
The candidate pack and generic role profile should be read along with the advert.
Contact and additional information
Regular office attendance is expected at Norwich, Ipswich or Brampton (Huntington, PE28 4NE) and there is flexibility to work from home at times.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Please see the candidate pack for more on how you will support with this. Also detailed is our benefits package, including an attractive salary, flexible working, 27 days annual leave, and an award-winning Pension Fund.
The post is full-time although we support requests for flexible working patterns.
This role does NOT qualify for skilled worker sponsorship. Visit for advice.
Interviews are planned to be held in early November, in person in Brampton (Huntingdon) but may be subject to change.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathryn Pettit –
Competence 1
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Description
Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these competency questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses. You have up to 250 words so please do use them to tell us what we need to know about you. See Candidate pack for more details and a link to our capability dictionary.
Describe a time when you identified a piece of work or a process that could be improved, took responsibility for it, and implemented changes to improve accuracy and efficiency going forward.
Competence 2
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Please describe a time when you have had to pick a preferred approach to a problem from a range of options.
Competence 3
Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Describe a time when you had to allocate tasks and resources across your team to meet changing priorities. How did you ensure the work was delivered efficiently, accurately, and with team buy-in?
Competence 4
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Describe a time when you had to influence and persuade a professional partner, customer or stakeholder to come around to your way of thinking and change their decision
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.