Senior Flood Risk Officer

About the team

The Flood Risk Management Team has a statutory role under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to manage flood risk from surface water, ordinary watercourse, and groundwater. Our team focuses on investigating flooding, working with partners, and supporting residents, to reduce flood risk and take an active role in water management across the County working locally, and nationally.

With the impacts of Climate Change beginning to be seen, our teams ambition is to help the county understand the impacts of climate change and how to live with water, as well as implement flood mitigation measures that are both traditional as well as innovative.

As a team we understand the vital part we play in partnership working, this means that this role will see you get involved with lots of different teams internally as well as externally. We are creative, forward-thinking team that work together to find solutions and looking for someone who want be part of this and think outside the box to help the residents of Hertfordshire.

About the role

As a Senior Flood Risk Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading the flood risk management team. You will also act as a deputy for the Operations Manager when required.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Deputise for the Operations Manager: Act as the Operations Manager in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making

• Project management: Oversee and coordinate flood risk projects from inception to completion, ensuring they meet objectives, timelines, and budgets

• Funding bids: Prepare and submit applications for funding to support flood risk management initiatives

• Attending Regional Flood and Coastal Committee meetings: Represent the organisation at regional meetings to discuss and influence flood and coastal risk management projects and direction

• Supporting elected Councillors: Provide expert advice and support to elected officials on flood risk issues

• Present on flood risk to different audiences: Deliver presentations on flood risk topics to a variety of stakeholders, including the public, professionals, and senior management

• Lead on capital projects for the county: Manage and direct flood risk capital projects within the county, ensuring successful delivery

• Provide support to junior members of staff on projects and workload: Mentor and assist junior staff with their projects and workload, fostering their professional development

• Bring new opportunities to the flood risk team: Identify and pursue new initiatives and opportunities to enhance the team\’s effectiveness and impact

• Writing and reviewing Section 19 investigations: Conduct and evaluate investigations into significant flood events, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements

• Provide expert flood risk management advice to local and national consultations: Provide specialised guidance on flood risk management in response to consultations at both local and national levels

• Working with different risk management authorities: Collaborate with various agencies and organisations involved in managing flood risks to ensure cohesive and effective strategies

As a Senior Flood Risk Officer, you will assist in the development and implementation of the County Councils local flood risk management strategy, gather, and analyse information and data to lead on flood risk management activities, and collaborate with officers across all County Council service areas, District Council partners and the local community.

About you

Essential criteria:

• Comprehensive knowledge of all types of flooding and analysing rainfall events

• Experience managing and/or implementing Natural Flood Management, Sustainable Drainage etc

• Familiarity with best practice guidance for surface water drainage and fluvial flood management techniques

• Proficient in using, interpreting, and commenting on outputs from hydraulic modelling and design drawings

• Confident in public engagement

• Ability to clearly communicate complex matters to various stakeholders

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships

• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills

• Project management expertise

• Effective communication skills

• Strong analytical skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic decision-making

• Exceptional report writing skills

• Experience working with elected members

• Clear understanding of flood and water management issues and actions, including sustainability activities

• Proficient in Windows-based IT applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Ability to write and present technical information to a general audience

• Experience with GIS packages

• Possession of a full UK driving licence

Desirable criteria:

• Experience using NEC4 contracts or equivalent

• Experiencing applying for or managing Environment Agency Applications for local levy or FDGiA

• Experience writing Section 19 investigations

• Experience attending resident drop-ins and/or resident engagement events

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

Closing date: 20 June 2025.