Natural Flood and Water Management Coordinator in Sheffield

Do you have a passion for sustainable flood risk management and a desire to deliver practical, forward-thinking solutions that help cities adapt to a changing climate? Sheffield City Council is seeking a motivated and experienced individual to join our Flood & Water Management Team and play a leading role in one of the UK’s most innovative climate resilience programmes.

In this role you will drive the continued delivery of the City’s Growth Plan through more of our flagship initiatives, such as the award-winning Grey to Green city-centre sustainable drainage schemes. You will play a central role in expanding and improving our Green & Blue infrastructure across a diverse portfolio of flood risk reduction and climate-resilience projects across Sheffield.

We are looking for someone with proven experience who can champion the adoption of sustainable and nature-based flood risk solutions across the city by working collaboratively with internal and external partners, as well as engaging with local communities. With a strong commitment to creating a climate resilient city that champions clean growth your approach will support the development of a sustainable economy where people and nature thrive, ensuring long-term prosperity and delivering multiple benefits for ecology, biodiversity, and the wider environment.

Our team works on a hybrid basis from home and from our Sheffield City Centre office, we are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share. The job will entail some site-based working with regular travel across the city and occasionally beyond. Although based in the city centre you will be working across a range of Sheffield City Council and partner sites locally and regionally. You will need to be able to travel independently across the region as required.

You will build on and maintain the Flood & Water team’s partnerships and key relationships with delivery organisations, seeking and securing funding and aligning with national and regional investment priorities. You will demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of best practice in Flood and Water Management, applying this expertise to the development and implementation of effective strategies to address emerging challenges.

With the confidence to work within a complex organisation, dealing with a wide variety of public, private and third sector stakeholders you will provide advice and guidance from concept to delivery, including guiding people through the statutory and regulatory environment, including but not limited to Planning and Flood & Water legislation.

As part of a small, dynamic team, you will support the Council’s responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, contributing to the city’s broader flood management aims by delivering projects within set timescales, budgets, and specifications. Additionally, your problem-solving skills will be essential in responding to the impacts of flood incidents and conducting investigations, ensuring that Sheffield remains resilient and prepared for future flood events.

You will be competent in the use of information and communications technology, including in GIS formats, to access, manipulate and communicate information effectively. We want you to use your experience of developing and maintaining professional knowledge and intelligence on best practice to support service improvements and enable a more climate resilient city.

You will be able to work in a political environment by offering informed advice and building positive relationships with politicians, making sure they stay aware and engaged during the planning and implementation of flood resilience projects. A commitment to continuous improvement is essential, including maintaining awareness of evolving legislation and policy developments relevant to the field. You will ensure that the service adapts to changes, thereby supporting effective and compliant flood risk management across the city.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.