Assistant Flood Risk Officer

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Background

Bedford Borough Council is now the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for the Bedford Borough area as defined by the new Flood and Water Management Act 2010. We are able to provide an exciting opportunity for a graduate to gain invaluable experience in this continuously evolving new and exciting work area.

Objective

The purpose of the role is to support the Borough Council to meet the technical responsibilities conferred on it by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and related legislation.

Benefits of this opportunity

Work on this project will allow the graduate to gain valuable, relevant experience if they are keen to work in the environmental and water management sectors in the future, or within Local Authorities. This field is a high growth area and relevant work experience is a pre-requisite of most positions. Accompanying this is the on-going training and support offered through CHANGE AGENTS UK to successful candidates. 

Future employment potential and options

This project will give a graduate excellent work experience in both the Flood Risk and the wider environmental and resilience sectors, as well as networking opportunities within this area including working with partners such as the Environment Agency, Water Companies and Internal Drainage Boards.  The opportunity offers potential for the graduate to develop a career in flood risk, sustainability or resilience. 

Numbered Lists:  Please note all numbered lists start with the most important through to least important Output or Key Task.

Output 1
In conjunction with relevant partners, contribute towards the production of the Borough Council Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).  

Output 2
Assist in the development of a Sustainable Drainage Policy to enable the Council to fulfil its role as SuDS Approval Body (SAB) in April 2014 as required by Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act.  Development of best practice and the ability to apply it effectively within the organisation.

Output 3
Contribute towards the ability of the Council to meet its technical responsibilities required by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and related legislation.

Key Task 1
To support the Flood Risk Officer in developing policy and procedures for processing, determining and adopting Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) applications.  In particular, this includes developing a SuDS policy document for the approval and adoption of SuDS and developing awareness information for partners and customers.

Key Task 2
To collate, analyse and manage data and input into GIS (ESRI ArcGIS) to support the work of the Flood Risk Officer and inform development of Flood Risk policy.

Key Task 3
To assist the Flood Risk Officer with development of a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy in compliance with section 9, Flood and Water Management Act including community engagement, public consultations and communications.

Key Task 4
Manage the flood reporting system, collate flooding information and data, prioritise and risk assess flood events and publish flood investigations to meet our requirement under section 19, Flood and Water Management Act (2010).

Personal Specification

Essential Selection Criteria 1       Weighting:  5
A relevant degree level qualification in a related field such as Environmental Sciences, Geography, Engineering, Hydrology (or equivalent).

Essential Selection Criteria 2       Weighting:  4
Demonstrable experience of using ESRI ArcGIS.

Essential Selection Criteria 3       Weighting:  4
Proven, strong analytical skills, in order to identify key messages from large amounts of complex information.

Essential Selection Criteria 4       Weighting:  4
Possess excellent organisational skills. The candidate should have the ability to make decisions on priorities of own workload, apply self-initiative and meet a strict framework of targets.

Essential Selection Criteria 5       Weighting:  4
Familiarity with various IT packages used in the preparation of reports and general office based duties including Microsoft Office and ESRI ArcGIS.

Essential Selection Criteria 6       Weighting: 4
Demonstrable attention to detail to ensure documents and data produced are coherent, accurate, appropriately formatted, and presented in a professional style.

Essential Selection Criteria 7       Weighting:  4
Must have the ability to work within a team and to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders - making use of strong interpersonal skills.

Essential Selection Criteria 8       Weighting: 3
Ability to interact effectively with other agencies and organisations and to be able to inform and communicate effectively.

Essential Selection Criteria 9        Weighting:  2
Possess a valid UK driving licence and vehicle for business purposes or access to a vehicle insured for business use and driver/assistance.

Desirable Selection Criteria 1       Weighting:  5
Understanding of Flood Risk Management or Hydrology and in particular Sustainable Drainage Systems principles and best practice.

Desirable Selection Criteria 2       Weighting:  5
Understanding of Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulations Assessment Processes.

 

For more information and details on how to apply, please visit the Change Agents UK website:

http://www.changeagents.org.uk/sustainability-jobs