Sustainable Drainage Officer

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 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 & Flood Risk 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), develops and delivers a number of flood management and research projects, and guides the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.

The Sustainable Drainage Team is responsible for ensuring that the impacts of new development is mitigated, as far as practicable, in accordance with the requirements of national and local policies relating to flooding and drainage. This is achieved through responses to consultations on proposed 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.

About the role

You will be joining a 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.

About you

You should apply if you have:

 

• Relevant experience and technical skills regarding sustainable drainage and flood management; and awareness of the planning process
• Planned and organised work to date to support the delivery of technical/consultancy services, such as those involved in assessing drainage
• Knowledge of the relevant systems, regulations, legislation, best practice, and policies etc. regarding surface water drainage and flood risk management
• Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills; and can provide authoritative advice, guidance and challenge to colleagues, customers and stakeholders
• Proven research and analysis skills
• Good planning and organisational skills 

Other information

This is a full time permanent role.

Interview: via MS Teams

For additional information or an informal conversation about this role, please contact Alexander Beckett ([email protected]; 01296 382 495)

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/