Overview
The Flood Liaison Officer will play an exciting pivotal role in engaging with communities, building community flood resilience, liaising with Risk Management Authorities and other key stakeholders, and raising awareness of the sources of flood risk. This new role is situated in the Strategic Flood Management Team within the wider Flood Risk Management Team.
About us
The Flood Risk Management Team (managed by the Climate Change Programme and Partnership Manager) manage flood risk in Buckinghamshire Council's role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). The Team is comprised of the Strategic Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Team, Project Groundwater, and the Capital Flood Programme; with officers that are enthusiastic and passionate about managing local flood risk.
The Flood Risk Management Team deliver the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), development and delivery of a number of flood management and research projects, and guiding the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.
The Strategic Flood Management Team, which this role is situated within, is responsible for the non-planning statutory role of the LLFA (Flood Investigations, Land Drainage Consents and Enforcement, and responding to enquiries).
We have recently updated our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, which includes a number of exciting actions, including building the resilience of our communities to flood risk and climate change through planning and delivering flood resilience engagement and supporting community flood action groups.
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
About the role
Climate change is increasing the likelihood and extent of flooding; and communities in Buckinghamshire have experienced multiple flood events since the winter of 2000.
Pursuant to achieving the objectives of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, the Flood Liaison Officer will primarily: work on initiatives to increase stakeholders' understanding of the sources of flood risk, and plan and deliver flood resilience engagement with local communities; effectively respond to requests for information and support regarding flood matters, and improve team communications; and liaise with organisations to collate information and help drive progress regarding flood risk mitigation activity and responses to flood events.
Andrew Waugh, Strategic Flood Risk Team Leader said "This brand new role will support the team in really making a difference to the communities we want to work with. This is a new area of work for the team and is a great opportunity for a self-starter with a background in flood risk management or similar with a keen interest in communication and empowering communities."
Key Accountabilities
The main responsibilities and duties of the Flood Liaison Officer are to:
Deliver initiatives which increase stakeholders' understanding of the sources of flood risk.
Plan, manage and deliver/or contribute to projects and programmes that build community flood resilience in Buckinghamshire. This may include:
Leading on engagement with at-risk communities to support existing Flood Action Groups or the establishment of new Flood Action Groups
Helping communities design and develop flood plans
Supporting communities in building trust and effective relationships with the Council and partner Risk Management Authorities
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders (including the public, Parish and Town Councils, elected members of the Council, Highways, the Environment Agency, the Council's Resilience Team, Water Companies, and neighbouring Lead Local Flood Authorities)
Support the Strategic Flood Management Team's involvement in the council's response to potential and actual flood events.
Provide accurate authoritative advice regarding flood matters.
Improve Council communications on flooding, including contributing to the development and delivery of communications plans.
Work with Risk Management Authorities and other stakeholders to collate information and help drive progress regarding flood risk mitigation activity and responses to flood events.
Any-Desk:
As an 'any-desk' worker, you'll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.
About you
You will have relevant experience of communications and stakeholder engagement, and worked in the flood risk management field or a related professional field. As such you will have authoritative knowledge of relevant systems, legislation, policies, and funding in relation to flood risk management (including working knowledge of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Land Drainage Act 1991, and the roles and responsibilities of different risk management authorities) and excellent interpersonal skills. Project, contract, financial, and funding management experience is desirable.
For additional details, please see the attached job summary on the advert on our careers site, but do pay close attention to the above information from this advert for the key requirements.
Other information
Number of positions available: 1 permanent contract.
Interview-type / process: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA.
This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions
We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.
Our values and culture
We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are - Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.
By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:
a fair and inclusive culture
the chance to really make a difference to those around you
health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events
At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.
From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.
We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.
About the Business Unit
Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.
Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council's land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.
It's a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you'll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.
We recognise and reward you
Hard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafes, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.