An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Compliance Team at the Water Management Alliance (WMA) group of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs). Internal Drainage Boards (“IDBs”) are local public authorities that manage flood risk and land drainage.
The Compliance Team within the Water Management Alliance works alongside the operations teams to ensure the watercourse networks (both the Board Maintained and private networks) operate efficiently and to ensure that flood risk is not increased by third party works/actions. This is done by utilising each Board’s powers under the Land Drainage Act 1991 (including the Board’s Byelaws).
The WMA are willing to consider candidates across a wide range of experience levels, therefore are looking to recruit either a Compliance Officer or an Assistant Compliance Officer:
* If you were to join as a Compliance Officer you would be responsible for proactive and reactive engagement with drainage enquiries (including flood risk/drainage investigations) and enforcement under the Land Drainage Act 1991 (informal and formal). You would work largely independently (although help will always be available) with reference to policies and procedures established by the Infrastructure and Compliance Manager.
* If you were to join as an Assistant Compliance Officer you would assist with proactive and reactive engagement with drainage enquiries (including flood risk/drainage investigations) and informal enforcement under the Land Drainage Act 1991. You would work alongside colleagues within the team on more complex cases to gain experience in the field.
To apply please submit your CV and covering letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate to philippa.noon@wlma.org.uk. The closing date for receipt of applications is noon on 7 October 2024. We look forward to receiving your application.
Role Description
The role will engage with drainage enquiries (including flood risk/drainage investigations) and enforcement under the Land Drainage Act 1991 (informal and formal). The role will be responsible for investigating a new or revised approach to retrospective approval for works which require Land Drainage Consent, including considering a new or revised charging policy.
Daily tasks include the following:
* Investigating and responding to general drainage enquiries from external customers such as public authorities, landowners and the general public, including drainage enquiries following flood events impacting private networks.
* Ensure third party compliance with the Land Drainage Act 1991 (plus Byelaws) including investigating reports/complaints of non-compliance/infringements and undertaking initial enforcement proceedings.
* Processing and preparing Deeds of Covenant relating to compliance with existing Deeds of Indemnity.
* Liaison and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders.
* Attendance at site visits to investigate drainage enquiries/enforcement matters. Ensuring Health and Safety is paramount at all times and that Health and Safety objectives are promoted and achieved.
* Application and adjustment of WMA policies.
* Application of relevant conditions where land drainage consent is granted.
* Maintaining accurate records of all planning/consenting/compliance cases reviewed and processed using the team case file register and email inbox.
* Keeping knowledge current and up to date, by way of continuous professional development.
* Any other duties that may reasonably be required.
Person Specification
Qualifications:
Essential -
* A relevant degree in an engineering, geographical or water management-related subject OR significant relevant industry experience.
Desirable-
* A masters degree in an engineering, geographical or water management-related subject.
* Membership or Chartership status with a professional accreditation body (e.g. ICE, CIWEM or IEMA).
Experience:
Essential-
* A minimum of two years experience working in a regulatory or technical role within the Water Industry, a Local Authority, the Police, the Environment Agency or other public body.
* Experience with enforcement/compliance matters.
* Experience liaising, corresponding and negotiating with a variety of stakeholders.
* Experience creating or reviewing strategies or processes.
Desirable-
* Experience working with legal documentation.
* Experience interpreting plans, model outputs and other technical drainage information.
* Experience working with land drainage engineering techniques and surface water management.
* Experience identifying a need for procedural change, and implementing/managing change.
* Experience mentoring or leading colleagues.
Skills/Knowledge:
Essential-
* An understanding of water management principles.
* An understanding of the Boards regulatory and enforcement powers and procedures.
* Ability to prioritise effectively and organise workloads to meet deadlines and to remain calm under pressure.
* Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex material, as well as having a methodical approach to work, demonstrating an attention to detail as well as accuracy in record keeping.
* Ability to competently use computer software such as Microsoft packages.
* Well-developed written and spoken communication skills (including letter writing, presentation skills and interpersonal communication).
* Ability to work well with others at all levels both internally and externally.
* A full and valid driving licence.
* Ability to work independently.
* Be resilient and persuasive, with the ability to deal with challenges and questions confidently.
* Creative problem solving skills with an ability to identify areas for development and improvement.
Desirable-
* An understanding of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) including Land Drainage Law.
* An understanding of GIS software.
* The ability to interpret and apply technical information (e.g. British Standards, Codes of Practice, technical reports and plans).
* An understanding of Planning Legislation, including Development Consent Orders and the TCPA.
* An understanding of environmental policy and legislation.
Other Job Information
* You must be physically fit to walk around watercourse and drainage catchments (up to 15% of the role) sometimes in inclement weather conditions. Such areas are potentially difficult to access, dirty, remote and/or subject to dense vegetation.
* On occasion the post holder will be expected to work outside of ‘normal’ office hours to represent the Water Management Alliance and its member Boards at public meetings, events and committees.
* All work performed/duties undertaken must be carried out in accordance with relevant Water Management Alliance, Board and Departmental policies and procedures, within legislation, and with regard to the needs of our customers.
* Work within the public and Flood and Water Management sectors can involve dealing with new and emerging legislation. As such further duties or refinements of current workload may alter the remit of this role to meet the impact of new work areas in the organisation and/or relevant member Board’s. This highlights the importance of the post holder in being an effective advocate for this service area and having a good insight into the wider remits of the organisation.
* You will be required to actively consider the impact of your working arrangements on the organisation’s carbon footprint. Post holders should regularly review the necessity of printing hard copies of electronic documents and seek alternatives to work related travel where it is not essential and work objectives can be met by other means such as video conferencing.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
* Sick pay
* Work from home
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 07/10/2024
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