Senior Sustainable Drainage Officer

Overview

Would you like to be part of a dynamic team that ensures that new developments throughout
Buckinghamshire are designed to account for and manage surface water flood risk? We are looking
for a Senior Sustainable Drainage Officer to join the Sustainable Drainage
Team.

About us

The council’s Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate works with partners to help shape
the future of Buckinghamshire. It delivers planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic
infrastructure, transport and property management services.

The Directorate’s key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating
more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. It
also aims 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.

The Flood Risk Management Team (managed by the Climate Change Programme and Partnership
Manager) manages flood risk in fulfilling the 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 delivers 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 Sustainable Drainage Team is responsible for mitigating, as far as practicable, negative
flood risk impacts arising from new developments. This is achieved through responses to
consultations on new developments, imposing planning conditions, providing pre planning
application advice, and helping shape sustainable drainage planning policy.

It’s a great time to join our team. 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.

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

Would you like to be part of a dynamic team that ensures that new developments throughout
Buckinghamshire are designed to account for and manage surface water flood risk?

Working as part of a team, you will review flood risk data and surface water drainage schemes
and provide comments on behalf of the LLFA to planning application consultations. You will be
advising the Local Planning Authority (LPA) on how development proposals are in line with best
practice as well as both national and local policy. This role will allow you to engage with
planning officers, developers and their drainage consultants as well as other Risk Management
Authorities (RMAs) to ensure a sustainable approach to managing surface water runoff.

The successful candidate will join the team in shaping how sustainable drainage is promoted
across the county through the delivery guidance documents and projects.

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

Relevant experience within the flood management, planning or environmental sector is essential
within this role, and you should apply if:

• Substantial relevant experience and technical skills in flood risk and surface water
  drainage assessments within the planning process, which you may have gained while working in a
  previous consultancy, local authority or other Risk Management Authority.
• Excellent understanding of best practice guidance and tools for surface water drainage and
  flood risk management
• Excellent ability to communicate authoritative specialist advice to a range of audiences in
  both written and verbal contexts, e.g. attending planning committees
• Well developed customer service skills, with an ability to deal with challenging situations
  or escalated complaints, utilising significant persuasion and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritise work to meet deadlines
• Project management skills and experience

Other information

This is a full time permanent role.

Closing date: 26th March 2025

Interviews dates: Planned for the first two weeks in April

Interview: via MS Teams

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.