Estates Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an

Estates Officer at the Water Management Alliance (WMA) group of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs).

Internal Drainage Boards (“IDBs”) are local public authorities that manage flood risk and land drainage.

Some IDBs are also significant landowners, with a resultant responsibility to ensure that landholdings and structures owned by the Board are managed appropriately.

As our Estates Officer you will be responsible for leading the WMA’s role as a landowner by ensuring each Board’s land is managed effectively and in accordance with the law, including acquisition and disposal of land or land rights (such as easements or licences) as outlined within the role description.

Where the principal aims of the role are best achieved with the help of external agents, the WMA’s Estate Officer will be responsible for the coordination of these agents.

The WMA are willing to consider candidates across a wide range of experience levels, from qualified and experienced Land Agents, to eager individuals with excellent organisation and communication skills with experience in a relevant sector.

Applications from those looking to work part-time or full-time (37 hours) will be considered equally.

Role Description

• The primary aims of the role are summarised below

• Lead the WMA’s efforts to ensure all land owned by the WMA Member Boards is registered with the Land Registry. Ensure accurate records are kept and archived appropriately.
• Work to identify areas of land vested in the Boards by various Acts and proceed to ensure these titled are registered to the relevant Board with the Land Registry.
• Lead liaison with current and future tenants, including ensuring rental agreements and licences are up to date and reviewed regularly.
• Manage the WMA’s position regarding any enquiries relating to any potential use or acquisition of a member Board’s Land (including easement / licence / conveyance requests) including working with third-party agents to finalise legal agreements as above.

Notably this will include working with National Infrastructure Projects.

• Ensure the WMA Member Boards remain compliant with Section 63 of the Land Drainage Act 1991, whereby an IDB cannot dispose of land for less than best that can be reasonably obtained.
• Work closely alongside internal colleagues such as consenting and enforcement officers whose casework may interact with the Board’s estate (such as where a third party wishes to obtain consent from the board as both the landowner and the relevant regulator).
• Lead the acquisition or transfer of land to accommodate major infrastructure delivery programmes (such as pumping station replacement schemes).
• Lead liaison with any third-party agents acting for the Boards within its capacity as a landowner (e. g. valuers, surveyors, solicitors, land agents) including working with agents to coordinate the drafting, agreeing and finalising legal agreements.
• Ensure there is an up to date register and digital map of the Board’s Land and any other structures vested in or under control of a WMA Board (for example, structures such as culverts for which the Board has some responsibility).

Ensure this register corresponds with a regular inspection schedule, with the help of the Operational Delivery Teams.

• Assist with ensuring third party compliance with legal agreements which the Board have entered into in its role as a regulator by processing Deeds of Indemnity / Covenant and associated Compliance Certificates.
• Liaise closely with the WMA Finance Team to ensure financial records relating to the above tasks are accurate and any invoices are issued in a timely manner.
• Any other tasks reasonably required.
• The role may include line management responsibilities for a small team in the future.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant subject.
• Industry specific qualifications or courses (e. g. RICS or NAEA accredited courses).

Experience

• A minimum of three years relevant industry experience (e. g. as a property consultant, surveyor or estate agent, lettings agent or land agent).
• Experience liaising, corresponding and negotiating with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience working with legal documentation.
• Experience working within a local government organisation
• Experience in the agricultural land management sector
• Experience creating or reviewing strategies or processes.

Skills/ Knowledge

• An understanding of the land conveyancing process, including Deeds of Indemnity, Deeds of Covenants, and Deeds of Easement.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills (including report / letter writing, presentation skills and interpersonal communication).
• Ability to prioritise effectively and organise workloads to meet deadlines and to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex material, as well as having a methodical approach to work, demonstrating an attention to detail as well as accuracy in record keeping.
• Ability to competently use computer software such as Microsoft packages.
• Ability to work well with others at all levels both internally and externally.
• A full and valid UK driving licence.
• Ability to work independently
• Be resilient and persuasive, with the ability to deal with challenges and questions confidently.
• Creative problem solving skills with an ability to identify areas for development and improvement.
• An understanding of GIS software.
• An understanding of the Boards regulatory and enforcement powers and procedures.
• Ability to competently read and digest legislation and legal advice (such as the Land Drainage Act 1991).
• Leadership and mentoring skills.
• Other Job Information
• The work will involve walking around watercourse and drainage catchments. Such areas are potentially difficult to access, dirty, remote and/or subject to dense vegetation.
• On occasion the post holder will be expected to work outside of ‘normal’ office hours to represent the Water Management Alliance and its member Boards at public meetings, events and committees.
• All work performed/duties undertaken must be carried out in accordance with relevant Water Management Alliance, Board and Departmental policies and procedures, within legislation, and with regard to the needs of our customers.
• You will be required to actively consider the impact of your working arrangements on the organisation’s carbon footprint.

Post holders should regularly review the necessity of printing hard copies of electronic documents and seek alternatives to work related travel where it is not essential and work objectives can be met by other means such as video conferencing.

For an information discussion about the WMA and this position please contact Cathryn Brady (Head of Catchment Services) or Matthew Philpot (Chief Operating Officer) on

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