Flood Liaison Officer

Overview

The Flood Liaison Officer will play an exciting pivotal role in engaging with communities,
building community flood resilience, liaising with Risk Management Authorities and other key
stakeholders, and raising awareness of the sources of flood risk. This new role is situated in
the Strategic Flood Management Team within the wider Flood Risk Management Team.

About us

The Flood Risk Management Team (managed by the Climate Change Programme and Partnership
Manager) manage flood risk in Buckinghamshire Council’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority
(LLFA). The Team is comprised of the Strategic Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage
Team, Project Groundwater, and the Capital Flood Programme; with officers that are enthusiastic
and passionate about managing local flood risk.

The Flood Risk Management Team deliver the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and
Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), development and delivery of a number
of flood management and research projects, and guiding the flood management approach on large
infrastructure projects.

The Strategic Flood Management Team, which this role is situated within, is responsible for the
non-planning statutory role of the LLFA (Flood Investigations, Land Drainage Consents and
Enforcement, and responding to enquiries).

We have recently updated our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, which includes a number of
exciting actions, including building the resilience of our communities to flood risk and
climate change through planning and delivering flood resilience engagement and supporting
community flood action groups.

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and
expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local
people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear
commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for
Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

Climate change is increasing the likelihood and extent of flooding; and communities in
Buckinghamshire have experienced multiple flood events since the winter of 2000.

Pursuant to achieving the objectives of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, the Flood
Liaison Officer will primarily: work on initiatives to increase stakeholders’ understanding of
the sources of flood risk, and plan and deliver flood resilience engagement with local
communities; effectively respond to requests for information and support regarding flood
matters, and improve team communications; and liaise with organisations to collate information
and help drive progress regarding flood risk mitigation activity and responses to flood events.

Andrew Waugh, Strategic Flood Risk Team Leader said “This brand new role will support the team
in really making a difference to the communities we want to work with. This is a new area of
work for the team and is a great opportunity for a self-starter with a background in flood risk
management or similar with a keen interest in communication and empowering
communities.”

Key Accountabilities

The main responsibilities and duties of the Flood Liaison Officer are to:

• Deliver initiatives which increase stakeholders’ understanding of the sources of flood
  risk.
• Plan, manage and deliver/or contribute to projects and programmes that build community
  flood resilience in Buckinghamshire. This may include:
  • Leading on engagement with at-risk communities to support existing Flood Action
    Groups or the establishment of new Flood Action Groups
  • Helping communities design and develop flood plans
  • Supporting communities in building trust and effective relationships with the
    Council and partner Risk Management Authorities
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a range of internal and external
  stakeholders (including the public, Parish and Town Councils, elected members of the Council,
  Highways, the Environment Agency, the Council’s Resilience Team, Water Companies, and
  neighbouring Lead Local Flood Authorities)
• Support the Strategic Flood Management Team’s involvement in the council’s response to
  potential and actual flood events.
• Provide accurate authoritative advice regarding flood matters.
• Improve Council communications on flooding, including contributing to the development and
  delivery of communications plans.
• Work with Risk Management Authorities and other stakeholders to collate information and
  help drive progress regarding flood risk mitigation activity and responses to flood events.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders
and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will
be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team
requirements.

About you

You will have relevant experience of communications and stakeholder engagement, and worked in
the flood risk management field or a related professional field. As such you will have
authoritative knowledge of relevant systems, legislation, policies, and funding in relation to
flood risk management (including working knowledge of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010
and the Land Drainage Act 1991, and the roles and responsibilities of different risk management
authorities) and excellent interpersonal skills. Project, contract, financial, and funding
management experience is desirable.

For additional details, please see the job summary on the advert on our careers site,
but do pay close attention to the above information from this advert for the key requirements.

Other information

Number of positions available: 1 permanent contract.

Interview-type / process: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks,
HP20 1UA.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are
required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so
please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud,
Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health
  First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work
for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and
inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group,
to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our
colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a
productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities
and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire,
and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and
inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the
future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration,
strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and
delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to
provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the
Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create
housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability
function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll
also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the
biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our
local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we
give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile
working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto
enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership
to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.