Land Drainage Officer

All jobs at Epping Forest District Council are shown below, these can be filtered using the search criteria below. The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

• Contractual hours: 36
• Basis: Full time
• Region: Epping
• Package: LGPS pension scheme, 28 days annual leave + bank holidays, Perkbox discounts & wellbeing perks, Hybrid working, Ongoing professional development, Flexible pay via Stream, Reimbursement of professional membership

Are you passionate about delivering change that has a long-lasting, positive impact on people’s lives and where they live? This is an exciting opportunity to join a small multi-disciplinary team that helps to reduce the risk of surface water flooding and other drainage impacts associated with existing rural and urban watercourses, ditches and private drainage systems across the district, contributing towards long term flood resilience.

We are looking for a suitably qualified and experienced person to help the Council meet its responsibilities with regards to environmental protection. The post holder will have hands-on experience of assessing, approving and inspecting land drainage works by third parties on non-main river watercourses and ditches, enforcement of local and national legislation relating to watercourses and ditches, investigating issues with principally private foul and surface water drainage systems in urban and rural settings and liaising with water companies in respect of problems occurring with their assets.

The preferred candidate will have a relevant professional qualification or transferable work experience in land drainage, construction etc., either in local government or the private sector, and a willingness to undertake specific training where necessary, either formal or in the role. Close attention to detail and diligent record keeping where enforcement action may need to be pursued, as well as being tenacious in researching historical records and interpreting data in both hard copy and electronic form from a range of sources.

You must be able to carry out a range of site inspections in urban and rural locations; carry equipment and undertake CCTV surveys on occasion, willing to work outside in all types of weather and be able to work on your own or as part of a team. You’ll work as part of the wider Environmental Protection & Drainage Team who deal with pollution, contaminated land, assessing the drainage and flooding impact of planning applications, and will work closely with the Principal Drainage Engineer on a day-to-day basis.

It is essential that you can effectively communicate in written and oral form with members of the public and on occasion manage difficult situations. The job requires that you hold a current full driving licence and have access to a car for use at all times during working hours.

We’re looking for a positive and capable person to join our team and if this sounds like you then we would love to hear from you. The role will be an agile mix of home working and office work in Epping or a satellite office as well as site visits within the Epping Forest district.

For an informal discussion about these posts please contact Trevor Baker, Interim Team Manager through tjbaker@eppingforestdc.gov.uk. However, please note that he is on annual leave from 7th until 24th August 2026. Interviews will be scheduled as applications are received.

Epping Forest District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, CM16 4BZ