Senior Flood Mitigation Programme Officer

Overview

Are you passionate about making a difference to the environment and climate change?

We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated and experienced project manager to implement exciting and innovative nature-based solutions (for flood risk management) and property flood resilience projects. This role involves progressing diverse schemes through required project life cycle stages (including feasibility, design, development, delivery and review).

About us

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. 

The Strategic Flood Management Team (managed by the Climate Change and Flood Risk Manager) manages local flood risk to ensure the delivery of statutory responsibilities of Buckinghamshire Council’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). The Team is comprised of the Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Team,

The Strategic Flood Management Team delivers the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), develops and delivers a number of flood management and research projects, and guides the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.

About the role

The role will be principally responsible for managing the on the ground delivery of two high profile aspects of the Resilience – Property flood Resilience and Placemaking – Nature-based Solutions workstreams under Project Groundwater from the client perspective. This role will also have scope to develop the designs and to appoint a contractor for delivery of these workstreams as well as working with external and internal partners (including the Environment Agency and water companies) to identify additional funding through bid applications into suitable funding pots to support projects delivery within the two workstreams.

This is a non-statutory area of work which is critical to achieving the following objectives in our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy:

• to improve innovation, skills and resourcing in flood risk management in Buckinghamshire.
• to manage flood risk through our capital programme, using sustainable techniques, nature-based solutions and adaptive pathways in delivering our flood risk management activities, projects, and schemes.

Project Groundwater is a one of the country’s leading flood risk innovation projects in groundwater flooding.  It is part of the Flood and Coastal Resilience & Innovation Programme, a six-year programme working with communities in nine high-risk areas from groundwater flooding across the Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs. Led by Buckinghamshire Council in partnership with five other lead local flood authorities and local flood/ community groups. Project Groundwater aims to forever transform how communities prepare and respond to groundwater flooding.

The Capital Flood Programme develops and delivers a range of flood risk mitigation schemes from the more engineered solutions such as culvert replacement to catchment resilience options like natural flood management, SuDS and property flood resilience as well as temporary defences within community in

Alex Beckett, Climate Change & Flood Risk Manager said “This substantial role leads on the implementation and pioneering high impact projects that will make a huge difference to communities at risk of flooding.  It is a great opportunity for a dynamic self-starter with an impressive background in flood risk management and project delivery.”

About you

This applicant will have substantial flood risk and project/programme management experience. As such the applicant will:

• Have relevant experience and technical skills in property flood resilience/nature-based solutions and project management role.
• Has a good understanding of flood mechanisms, especially groundwater flooding
• Has good understanding of public procurement policies.
• Has excellent planning and organisation skills with ability to manage and prioritise work to meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage and prioritise work to meet deadlines.
• Has excellent interpersonal and experience of building and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders, and ability to represent professional service area both internally and externally.
• Strong, negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Has project management skills and experience in budget and contract management.
• Able to provide authoritative specialist advice under pressure.
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline is essential.
• Membership of a relevant professional organisation is welcomed.

For additional details, please see the attached job summary.

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 at least twice a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

The role is likely to require some days or occasional evenings out on site or in the community – for example, attending flood group meetings, flood forums or multi-agency events.

Other information

Number of positions available: 1 fixed-term contract.

Interview-type / process: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA or via MS Teams.

For additional information or an informal conversation about this role or the team’s work, please contact Luciano Lopes ([email protected]; 01296 387 686) or Louise Bower (

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim 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.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. 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.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/