Project Officer – Natural Flood Management (NFM)

Join SERT as Project Officer, Natural Flood Management: design and deliver landscape-scale NFM, build partnerships, and make a real difference for rivers, communities and the environment.

The Natural Flood Management (NFM) Officer will work with the NFM Specialist Team to target, scope and deliver NFM solutions that will contribute to reducing flood risk, replenishing water resources and improving river health. The work will primarily focus on NFM in Kent but may include other geographic areas / include other water-related NbS (e.g. SuDS). This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing NFM Specialist Team and make a real difference for the environment and local communities.

You will be supporting the development of landscape and catchment scale projects that work with natural processes to enhance the environment and provide water-related benefits. You will use your experience to engage with a range of stakeholders such as farmers, landowners, local authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities, the Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Boards. You will work with these partners to scope the feasibility of NFM solutions and design suites of measures that reduce flooding and support catchment resilience.

You will be able to use and interpret available data, tools and hydrological models to identify target areas and scope NFM, combining this information with walkover surveys to learn from land managers and local communities about flow pathways and flooding. Working with partners and land managers you will develop and design suites of measures which will deliver optimum flood, water resources and other benefits, using modelling and tools to quantify benefits if required. You will work with colleagues at the Trust and contractors to support the delivery of these measures on the ground. You will develop and implement appropriate monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the measures installed, inform any necessary adjustments, and contribute to the growing knowledge base on the effectiveness of NFM. Finally, you will showcase your work as demonstration sites to encourage others to implement NFM contributing to a catchment-based approach to reducing flood risk and enhancing water resources.

As part of the NFM Specialist Team, your role will contribute to the continued development and implementation of the Trust’s strategy on NFM and NbS more widely.

• NFM development and delivery: Use mapping tools, existing data, walkover surveys and modelling outputs, identify priority locations and ascertain the most appropriate types of NFM. Where appropriate, undertake surveys, assessments and modelling to inform on the location, design and potential benefits of measures. Work with land managers, regulators, partners and communities to co-design measures and maximise additional benefits, ensuring good buy-in to delivery. Be responsible for gaining landowner and other permissions to deliver measures on the ground. Work with SERT colleagues, contractors and partners to oversee the delivery of measures. The role will primarily coordinate with contractors during delivery, monitor progress against agreed designs and plans, and elevate issues where needed, but may on occasion require hands‑on delivery. Design and implement monitoring schemes to quantify the effectiveness of the measures and the multiple benefits that may arise.
• Partnership working, coordination and communications: Build strong relationships with partners and communities across the priority catchments in Kent and the wider SERT area to facilitate effective implementation of NFM and build new opportunities. Develop quality, productive relationships with partners with an interest in NbS and building flood resilient societies, contributing to the evidence base on working with natural processes. Be responsible for good communication both internally and externally about the work you are undertaking and contribute to the knowledge base on NFM and NbS, e.g. through the SERT website, writing reports, and speaking at conferences.
• Project management: Use SERT’s Project Management systems to manage NFM-related projects or aspects of projects, coordinating with SERT staff and implementing good budget management to ensure the delivery of project milestones within the resources available. For specific projects, be responsible for reporting on project activities and finance (supported by the finance team) to the funder/client.

The role of natural solutions in improving the resilience of our rivers and reducing flooding is increasingly gaining traction. SERT is looking for someone who can join the team and hit the ground running.

You will be adept at developing and delivering NFM and will be comfortable working with land managers, regulators, partners and communities to co-design measures, ensuring good buy-in. Besides having a good understanding of NFM, we need an individual who can confidently work independently and spot opportunities.

The SERT region covers the south east of England, extending from Hampshire in the west to Kent in the east, with the northern border being south of the Thames, extending down to the English Channel. Our office is based in Leatherhead which you will be required to attend up to 4 times a month.