Flood & Coastal Risk Management Officer - WMF3124i in Kendal

Location: Penrith / Kendal / Barrow

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £42,839 - £44,075

Contractual hours: 37

Basis: Full time

About this opportunity

We are seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Flood & Coastal Risk Management Officer to join Westmorland & Furness Council’s Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) team. The FCRM team fulfils the Council’s statutory flood and coastal risk management responsibilities. This includes Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) duties; Coast Protection Authority (CPA) duties; which includes statutory consultee on planning applications, covering sustainable surface water drainage (SuDS) and flood risk with respect to new developments. The team is also responsible for ordinary watercourse consenting activities, flood investigations, and delivery of the FCRM capital works programme.

The FCRM Officer will sit primarily within the FCRM works programme part of the team, and will be responsible for a wide range of technical advisory, investigative, study development, and project implementation activities that are part of delivering the Council's flood and coastal risk management function. The FCRM Officer actively engages with a wide range of technical partners and stakeholders throughout the region to ensure collaborative working and efficient delivery of outcome measures intended to mitigate flood and coastal risks. In addition, regular engagement with elected members and the public by the FCRM Officer will ensure that an appropriate level of consultation is undertaken, feedback is fed into the activities, and stakeholders are kept up to date with proposed and ongoing actions.

In the role you will scope, design, and oversee the delivery of flood and coastal protection projects from a commercial, schedule, and technical standpoint. This includes undertaking site visits, supervising on-site works delivery, and attending external meetings. You will prepare applications for project funding and delivery through DEFRA’s Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid (GiA) mechanism, as well as liaising with external partners to seek other funding opportunities, collaborative project delivery and technical data acquisition, and information sharing.

The FCRM Officer also provides advice to colleagues, other officers, and external parties on the interpretation and application of flood and coastal policies, technical principles, regulations, and legislation in respect of the areas of responsibility.

Who we are looking for…

We are looking for an experienced individual with a good understanding of the mechanisms that drive flooding and coastal erosion processes. You will have a track record within the coastal, flooding, or civil engineering sectors and hold a relevant degree in an appropriate discipline, or equivalent demonstrable experience.

Highly self-motivated and able to work independently using your own initiative, the candidate will have:

• Experience of managing projects, consultants and contractors, including commercial, schedule and delivery oversight;
• Experience of multi-agency working, working in partnerships, and with other professional partners, in supporting the delivery of flood and coastal risk management projects;
• Experience of leading task groups and chairing meetings;
• An understanding of the funding mechanisms available to public sector organisations, such as DEFRA’s Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid;
• Experience of preparing and submitting successful funding bids.

You will be able to understand and produce technical drawings and reports, with excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the preparation and presentation of information and reports tailored to suit the audience. Knowledge of NEC contracts and CDM:2015 regulations, and ability to use AutoCAD and GIS software is desirable. Due to the regular need to attend site visits and external meetings, a valid driving licence is essential for this role.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Rebecca James on Rebecca.james@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 30th August 2026

Interview date: 11th September 2026

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this role, please contact the HR Systems Team at HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.

Safer Recruitment

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview. We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old that meet the essential criteria for the role.