River Lea Project Officer

About the job
Salary: £37,938 - £40,476 a year pro rata
Hours per week: 37
Contract type:Fixed term until31/03/2026

This position is available as a secondment opportunity until the 31/03/2026. If you are a permanent LBC employee, you must have written approval (an email will suffice) from your manager prior to applying and a copy will need to be submitted with your application. Please note: we will not be able to proceed with your application form without your manager's permission.

We are seeking a highly experienced individual to lead and manage complex projects with a strong focus on environmental management and sustainability. In this role, you'll be working on projects that address flood risk, river restoration, biodiversity, blue/green infrastructure, and climate adaptation, playing a key part in shaping a sustainable future of Luton and showcasing the unique character of the River Lea and its tributaries. Your role will involve everything from stakeholder engagement and management to developing detailed project plans, business cases, and reports. You'll be responsible for analysing complex data, identifying trends, and producing meaningful statistics to inform decisions and project outcomes.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, so you will also be working closely with a diverse range of partners and colleagues. With your expertise, you'll lead multidisciplinary teams, offering innovative solutions to environmental challenges. You'll also have the opportunity to shape policy, applying your knowledge of flood risk, biodiversity net gain, and sustainability issues in both practical and theoretical ways. This role may occasionally require site visits and attendance at meetings outside of regular office hours, but it promises a dynamic and engaging environment where your contributions can make a real difference.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
About you
You bring with you in-depth experience managing complex projects and a proven track record of effective stakeholder engagement. You are enthusiastic about the natural world and especially the water environment. Your strong background in flood risk management, environmental sustainability, or a related field ensures that you are equipped to handle the specific challenges that come with this role. You're able to communicate confidently and persuasively with a wide range of people, from senior stakeholders to team members, and you're skilled in developing strong, positive relationships.

Your analytical skills are second to none, and you're comfortable dissecting complex data, spotting trends, and presenting insights in clear and concise reports. You have a deep understanding of project management methodologies and tools, and you're equally comfortable writing business cases and coordinating multifaceted initiatives. You're proficient with Microsoft Office applications and are always ready to leverage technology to support your work.

You have a strong grasp of equality issues, understanding their importance in service delivery, and you work to integrate them into every aspect of the projects you manage. If you're looking for an opportunity to use your expertise in a role that combines challenge, responsibility, and purpose, we'd love to hear from you. Let's make a positive impact together!
About us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision - that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty - is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council - and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
Benefits
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:

- From 25 to 32 days' annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel