At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead flood investigations and manage projects to enhance flood risk management.
- Company: Join Cambridgeshire County Council's dedicated Flood Risk Team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive wellbeing package, flexible holidays, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on flood risk management while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in project management are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in flood risk management? This is an exciting opportunity to join Cambridgeshire County Council's Flood Risk Team, where we coordinate the Council's responsibilities as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). We're looking for a Senior Flood Risk Officer to help enhance the delivery of our LLFA functions. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a broad range of flood and water initiatives while developing your skills in:
- Flood Risk in Planning - Reviewing planning applications to ensure they won't increase flood risk to the surrounding area and writing to local planning authorities setting out comments on the planning proposals.
- Flood Investigation - Lead investigations into flood incidents and use your findings to initiate and manage flood risk management projects.
- Land Drainage Consenting and Enforcement - Play a key role in the watercourse consenting and enforcement processes, ensuring compliance with the Land Drainage Act 1991 to protect and maintain the functioning of watercourses across Cambridgeshire.
Ready to help shape the future of flood risk management in Cambridgeshire? Apply now and be part of a team that's making a real impact. For more information or to chat about this opportunity please contact Kathryn Reading (kathryn.reading@cambridgeshire.gov.uk). Interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 8 July 2026 at New Shire Hall.
Our benefits
We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage:
- A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family.
- Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro-rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme.
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances.
- Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings.
- Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth.
- Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day.
- Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity and inclusion network.
- Opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards.
- An Our Cambs Rewards account, giving you access to in-store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.
What will you be doing?
- Investigating flooding incidents to establish whether the relevant authorities carried out their required duties.
- Reviewing planning applications for major development to determine whether surface water will be managed appropriately, and whether there will be any impacts on flood risk to the surrounding area.
- Investigating potential breaches to the Land Drainage Act 1991 and determining the need for enforcement action.
- Processing and determining application for consent under the Land Drainage Act 1991.
- Using project management skills to assist with the development and delivery of flood risk management schemes.
About you
You'll be a proactive, independent thinker who thrives in a busy, collaborative environment. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential, as you'll be working closely with stakeholders, partners, and communities to deliver high-quality outcomes. We're looking for someone who can:
- Communicate technical information clearly and sensitively.
- Work flexibly and effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Confidently hold difficult conversations, balancing technical requirements with sensitivity and professionalism.
Please ensure you complete the supporting statement outlining how your skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements set out in the job description and person specification. This information is a key part of the recruitment process and will be heavily relied upon during shortlisting.
About us
Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes. Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation and our communities.
If you don't meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don't be put off. We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate and inclusive as well as diverse, so if you think you could be a good candidate for this role please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, along with our employee network 'IDEAL' and self-organised peer support groups help us to foster an inclusive, supportive and safe working environment where people feel valued, respected, and empowered. We collect relevant diversity data for monitoring as part of the recruitment process to understand the diversity of our applicants and monitor any trends throughout the recruitment processes so that we can take meaningful action. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, as well as when you join us, and we encourage candidates to contact the Hiring Manager, whose details can be found in the advert, to discuss any adjustment needs.
Through a Guaranteed Interview Scheme, we will offer an interview to all applicants who disclose a disability and meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy. On your application form you can indicate you are disabled. Some examples of reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process could include additional time to complete an assessment or printing a document on pastel coloured paper with larger font size and line spacing. We would value talking about what might be possible to enable you to join us and thrive, so if there is something that would help you to do your best during your journey with us, please get in touch.
Visit our jobs and careers section to find out more about our wide range of learning and development opportunities; apprenticeships; our wellbeing package; staff benefits; our commitment to equality, diversity and Inclusion.
Senior Flood Risk & Water Management Specialist employer: Cambridge County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible annual leave options, paid volunteering hours, and access to development opportunities, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in flood risk management while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance in the vibrant and diverse community of Cambridgeshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Flood Risk & Water Management Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the flood risk management field, especially those connected to Cambridgeshire County Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of the Flood Risk and Water Management Acts. Show us you know your stuff and can communicate technical information clearly – it’s a big part of the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the team you could be joining.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Flood Risk & Water Management Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your skills and experience align with the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our Flood Risk Team, so be specific about your relevant experiences!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for flood risk management shine through! Share why this role excites you and how you can make a real difference in our community. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about what they do.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to communicate your ideas effectively. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge County Council
✨Know Your Flood Risk Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Land Drainage Act 1991. Be prepared to discuss how these laws impact flood risk management and how you can apply them in your role. This shows that you’re not just knowledgeable but also ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working closely with stakeholders and communities, practice articulating complex technical information in a clear and sensitive manner. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated difficult conversations or negotiations, as this will demonstrate your ability to balance professionalism with empathy.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific flood risk scenarios or planning applications. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges and your approach to resolving them. This will help you illustrate your problem-solving skills and project management experience effectively.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
This role requires collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams before, especially in busy environments. Emphasising your ability to adapt and contribute positively to team dynamics will resonate well with the interviewers.
