Flood Risk and Drainage Officer

The Planning Team are seeking a Flood Risk & Drainage Officer to join the team at level B. This level attracts a salary that is mid-point of the range. You will have related experience and be able to demonstrate applied and developed knowledge, experience and skills to be effective in this role. All elements of level A and B listed within the person specification are essential. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Work in partnership with water management stakeholders, including Water Companies, the Environment Agency, Local Authorities, and key water users to promote effective and efficient water management in the county and develop and embed water management policy in plans and strategies. Identify opportunities to fund and deliver projects with partners to demonstrate innovative water management.

In addition to this provide support where necessary to The Planning Service, Highways, Emergency Planning and Regeneration through:

Manage land drainage systems. Through assessing development proposals Supporting the wider Planning Team and collaborating on landscape, urban design, and sustainable drainage issues related to planning applications. It involves processing and assessing Sustainable Urban Drainage Applications (SAB), administering Land Drainage Consents, and supporting the determination process through liaison with applicants and external partners.

Identifying critical structures and features contributing to local flood risk and managing the necessary asset information for maintenance and improvement programs.

Carry out investigations into flood incidents, working cross service with Emergency Planning

And Highways, and with external partners (Environment Agency and Water and Sewerage

Companies) to investigate suitable solutions and lead and support where possible to flood

and drainage problems.

Including some out-of-hours work as required.

Liaise with stakeholders in a way that promotes the vision and values of the Council

Provide flood risk and drainage advice and guidance to the public and professional representatives, in line with Medway’s Pre-Application service standards, including telephone, and written advice to ensure consistency and accurate advice is recorded and provided to service users.

Manage and progress a range of pre-planning application enquiries, planning application consultations, Land drainage consents, Sustainable Urban Drainage applications and appeals, to ensure transparency and consistency in decision making.

Communicate and negotiate effectively with Members, developers, agents and members of the public on issues relating to flooding and drainage to manage the impact of development on land drainage systems in Medway.

To maintain effective working partnerships with the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, Southern Water, Highways and other relevant authorities to secure a collaborative strategic, integrated approach to flood risk management in Medway.

Coordinate and support community engagement activity including organising and running community-based events (venues, support publicising, letters, facilities, equipment, refreshments etc), handling public queries about flood risk management.

Participate in appropriate development and training opportunities to ensure you are aware of current changes in planning practice, technical, legislative and procedures of flooding and drainage issues.

Provide advice to Council services on relevant legislation, government advice and the activities. To ensure collaborative working and effective professional relationships maintained.

Support the preparation of planning policies and guidance in relation to flood and drainage. To manage the risks of flooding and the impact of development on land drainage systems in Medway.

Support the production of the Flood Risk Strategy, Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Surface Water Management Plans. To manage the risks of flooding and the impact of development on land drainage systems in Medway.

At the discretion of the Head of Service, such other activities as may from time to time be agreed consistent with the nature of the job described above.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Gabrielle Bussley on gabrielle.bussley@medway.gov.uk

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:
Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.