Flood Resilience and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Officer in Milton Keynes

We’re recruiting a Flood Resilience and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Officer to help protect communities across Milton Keynes from flood risk. At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a real difference for people who live and work in our city, both now and for the future. You’ll join the Flood and Water Management Team, a dedicated and collaborative team delivering the full range of Lead Local Flood Authority responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Land Drainage Act 1991. The team also undertakes important non‑statutory work that supports local communities, strengthens resilience, and reduces flood risk across the borough.

In this role, you’ll support the planning, delivery, and coordination of flood risk management and sustainable drainage activity, helping to ensure development is safe, sustainable, and well designed. You’ll work closely with colleagues, partner organisations, and local communities, contributing to evidence‑based decisions that make Milton Keynes a safer place to live. This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day in the office/site per week. Interviews for this role will be held on 7 May.

• Contribute to the Council’s duties as Lead Local Flood Authority, helping to reduce flood risk across Milton Keynes.
• Support investigations into significant flood events, including contributing to Section 19 flood investigation work and reports.
• Assist with the delivery of flood risk management and sustainable drainage projects, including feasibility work and partnership funded schemes.
• Provide technical advice on planning applications, ensuring developments comply with flood risk and sustainable drainage policy.
• Support consenting and enforcement activity under the Land Drainage Act 1991, working with colleagues to protect watercourses.
• Build strong working relationships with partners such as the Environment Agency, water companies, internal teams, and local communities.
• Maintain the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, manage the flood asset register, engage with parishes, and support community awareness around flood resilience and riparian responsibilities.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys applying technical knowledge to real‑world challenges and working as part of a supportive team. You’ll bring a relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in a subject such as flood risk management, geography, civil engineering, or planning. You’ll have an understanding of sustainable drainage systems and surface water drainage for new developments. You’ll be confident analysing technical information and explaining it clearly to a range of audiences. You’ll be able to build positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, councillors, and residents. You’ll work in a way that reflects our values of being dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If you’re offered the position, we’ll ask for proof of your licence and vehicle insurance, including business use cover. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to confirm your appointment without these documents.

• Great holiday benefits – most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award‑winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low‑cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme – low‑cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card – employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.