Principal or Senior Consultant / Engineer: Local Government Flood Risk Management and Sustainable Drainage

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Due to strong and sustained growth in our Sustainable Water Management business, we are seeking experienced applicants to join our team of 300 water science and engineering professionals. Applicants are invited to further strengthen our project delivery and technical capability in a wide range of flood risk management projects for our Local Authority clients. 

The Sustainable Water Management business operates as a national team and work is shared around the team in a fair and transparent way, ensuring project allocation takes into account personal interests and development aspirations and much as practicable.

A little more about your role…

We are looking for passionate professionals who have a strong experience working with Lead Local Flood Authorities and have a competent understanding of key legislation and policies such as the Flood and Water Management Act, The Land Drainage Act and the National Planning Policy Framework (in relation to flood risk and drainage). With preferred strengths in flood risk management and sustainable drainage you will ideally have familiarity with other water environment disciplines to aid delivery of more complex projects for a range of clients.

The appointment would be at Senior or Principal grade, depending on experience. We can be flexible on location within the UK and offer a true hybrid work arrangement. 

You will contribute to a diverse range of projects but the main focus of your work is likely to be delivering and taking technical lead roles on flood risk management projects for local authorities which can include large range of projects including;  flood investigations, developing flood strategies, helping deliver solutions for flood alleviation, natural flood management, sustainable drainage master-planning, and supporting the planning process to ensure the most sustainable solutions are achieved for the water environment.

Your work will be varied but will include some technical, management and commercial responsibilities.  Sharing your technical expertise and mentoring others in the team will also be an important part of your role. 

Responsibilities will include: 

• Significantly contributing to delivery of good quality technical deliverables to clients, often as technical reviewer.
• Supporting and mentoring junior colleagues, overseeing small project teams.
• Managing workload and project delivery with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrating positive H&S behaviours and championing this amongst the wider team.
• Contributing to the planning of tasks/projects providing input to programme, budget, and quality requirements.
• Engaging positively and professionally with clients and developing trusted advisor role as you grow a network of client contacts, supported by more senior colleagues.
• Contribute to securing small projects and extensions to existing projects.
• Develop solutions that address client issues, challenges, and needs in collaboration with project or team leaders.
   

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

Skills / Experience 

• Experience working in flood risk management with local authorities or a combination of public and private sector flood risk management experience.
• Demonstrable experience of understanding budgets and leading delivery of projects or technical outputs related to flood risk management or sustainable drainage.
• Understanding of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Land Drainage Act the Planning Practice Guidance: Flood Risk and Coastal Change and its application for management of flood risk for Local Authorities in the UK. Desirable wider knowledge of the regulatory context for planning in the UK. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Experience in supporting and/or mentoring more junior colleagues whilst having the ability to successfully liaise with more senior colleagues when needed.
• Knowledge and understanding of surface water drainage modelling and Sustainable Drainage Systems. 
• Experience in preparing Local Flood Risk Management Strategies and Strategic Flood Risk Assessments.
• Demonstrable experience in technical report writing and checking.
• Confidence in presenting and leading meetings with team members and clients.
   

Qualifications 

• A degree in a relevant environmental, geographical, science or engineering discipline is essential 
• Chartered status with C.WEM, CEnv, CSci or CEng is desired for Principal or evidence of working towards chartership for Senior

If you don’t meet all that we are looking for please still consider applying. Not everyone will meet all the requirements, but you might have skills we didn’t know we need.

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