Job Ref: 213311153

Date: 2021-03-08 08:25:26

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Milton Keynes is a rapidly expanding, vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and play. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with Milton Keynes Council. So if you're looking for an excellent benefits package and the chance to make a difference, make a move to Milton Keynes Council. With modern working practices where flexibility is commonplace and performance is measured on outcomes and results, alongside a generous holiday entitlement, you can experience a fulfilling job and great work-life balance.

Please note that this role is only open to applicants who have the right to work in the UK

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Flood Resilience and SuDS Officer to work within the Flood and Water Management Team at Milton Keynes Council. We deliver the council’s statutory function as the Lead Local Flood Authority, working with partners to investigate and deliver innovative flood risk management projects across Milton Keynes, improve the water environment and provide technical engineering advice on surface water management for new developments and existing drainage systems.

As a Flood Resilience and SuDS Officer the primary function of your role will be to support Milton Keynes Council’s emergency response role to flooding as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. You will also be involved in assisting the delivery of high-quality SuDS schemes across Milton Keynes. We work in partnership with the Environment Agency to ensure homes and business are better protected and communities are better prepared for floods. You will support Milton Keynes Council with flood incident management. Working as a Flood Resilience Officer, your primary role will be to support internal partners (i.e. MKC Highways, Emergency Planning and the Housing Department) and a range of external partners and members of the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum. Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 emergency responders are classed as Category 1 and Category 2 responders (i.e. Category 1 responders in Milton Keynes include Bucks Fire and Rescue, Environment Agency, Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes University Hospital, Thames Valley Police and Category 2 responders include Anglian Water and utilities providers). Several organisations in Milton Keynes provide support as non-emergency responders (i.e. Local Parish, Town and Community Councils, the Park Trusts and local groups) As a Flood Resilience Officer, you will ensure the Council is resilient and ready for incidents by:

• Working with communities at risk from flooding, providing advice on what to do before, during and after flooding

• Training and supporting our response staff

• Working with our professional partners to ensure we all pull together for the best response

As a Lead Local Flood Authority, Milton Keynes Council is a statutory consulttee to all major planning applications as part of the teams remit you will be involved in influencing developments across Milton Keynes and ensuring the creation of multi-functional SuDS throughout the Borough of Milton Keynes, and assisting the team to fulfill a range of statutory functions. This will be achieved by working closely with and providing specialist advice and support to developers, consultants, engineers and colleagues whilst also forming close partnerships with key stakeholders across Milton Keynes and the wider region encompassing the Oxford-Cambridge arc. You will understand the requirements of providing drainage and flood risk management advice from a regulatory perspective.

Experience of using databases, engineering software and GIS would be desired. You will use your initiative, seek opportunities for knowledge sharing and be able to work effectively as part of a busy team whilst managing your own workload. All of our work involves a high level of communication and a willingness to work and negotiate with developers and key stakeholders. You must therefore be a clear communicator, able to negotiate and capable of explaining technical matters clearly and sensitively at all levels. Interview Dates w/c (5th April 2021)

Key Duties

* To ensure we provide a first-class response to flood incidents by maintaining our systems and procedures and contribute to the delivery of training and exercising of our response staff

* To support the team to plan and deliver engagement with local communities, to increase awareness of flood risk and knowledge of appropriate actions to take in response to flooding

* To work with professional partners to support multi-agency planning and preparation for flood incidents

* To contribute to our wider incident response in line with your skills and experience

* To support the LLFA’s role as a statutory consultee to the planning department; developing long term policy and procedures for the assessment and adoption of SuDS into the Milton Keynes landscape

* To support with the implementation of the Council’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (2016), Surface Water Management Plan (2016) and associated action plans

* To support in instigating and coordinating flood risk investigations, including management of external consultants, where required

* To maintain and develop effective partnerships with the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board, Anglian Water Services, Highways, the Parks Trust and neighbouring authorities

Experience, Qualifications and any Mandatory Requirements

* An understanding of policy and legislation: Civil Contingencies Act (2004), Flood and Water Management Act (2010), Land Drainage Act (1994), Flood Risk Regulations (2009)

* An understanding of the sources of flooding, SuDS and the construction of drainage schemes, including the review and assessment of surface water drainage and SuDS for new development would be desirable

* Equivalent level of professional experience and/or educated to degree level in Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Geography, Hydrology

* Strong communication skills with the ability to adapt changing and challenging circumstances with empathy and independently with local communities

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