Senior Flood Risk Officer

The SuDS and Watercourses Team, contribute to reducing flood risk while supporting sustainable growth within Hertfordshire and ensuring the Council meets its statutory responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, primarily in its role as a statutory consultee in the planning system.

Our ambition is to ensure that sustainable growth in Hertfordshire can be achieved without increasing flood risk elsewhere and ideally, reducing flood risk to existing properties where possible.

Please follow these links to see more information on the work that we do.

Website https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/recycling-waste-and-environment/water/flooding-in-hertfordshire.aspx

About the role

We are looking for an individual with the ability and expertise to provide timely, high-quality advice and expert consultation on the flood risk, engineering designs and sustainable drainage aspects of Major planning proposals and applications. You will also input into flood risk management within the county through the regulation, inspection and enforcement of ordinary watercourses. You will have an important role in the Council’s response to flooding events. The successful applicant will be expected to support the Flood Risk Management Team following major flood events through desk and field-based flood investigations, liaison with affected residents and other stakeholders such as the Environment Agency and Thames Water.

About you

You will already have a good working knowledge of relevant national policy and legislation covering flood risk/sustainable drainage, spatial planning, and a relevant qualification. You'll be adept at communicating ideas persuasively, both orally and in writing, and at collaborating with a diverse group of colleagues, consultants, professionals, partners, and members of the public. You will enjoy working as part of a team and have examples of where you have negotiated with external parties to achieve justified and appropriate outcomes within set timeframes. 

You'll demonstrate enthusiasm for raising awareness of the benefits and importance of sustainable drainage and flood risk management and see them reflected in placemaking, with an ambition to make a difference in Hertfordshire’s environment. Through this role you get to progress your career in Flood Management, whilst contributing to sustainable growth in Hertfordshire.

A full current driving licence is essential with access to a vehicle for site visits, and you will be expected to work in rural locations with difficult terrain.