Flood Risk Investigations Group Engineer - Req24000

Job content

Would you like to be part of something bigger and join us in our ambition to become the Best Council, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer?

Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.

Benefits of working with us:

We pride ourselves on offering the best employee experience, with a genuine commitment to keeping our colleagues safe and well at work. You can expect great benefits whilst working for us including:

• a competitive pay progression structure including generous employer pension contributions.
• flexible career paths with tailored personal and professional development
• support for you, your home and your family including personal, and financial support.
• hybrid working arrangements (subject to needs of the role) and a flexitime system.
  

For more information about our benefits please see the benefits section of our jobs page.

We are seeking a Senior Member of the Flood Risk Management Investigations Team to join our organization. The primary responsibility of this role is to reduce flood risk in Leeds and oversee the activities of the Investigations Team. As a senior member, you will supervise a small group of staff, provide guidance, and support, and ensure the achievement of corporate objectives. You will represent the Service, the Department, and the Council at various meetings and promote positive solutions for diversity and equality.

As Flood Risk Investigations Group Engineer you will manage a team of professionals and provide expert advice relating to flood assets to internal and external stakeholders. The role is key to ensuring that the council adheres to its duties as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), in particular S19 of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010. You will be expected to provide updates to councillors and members of the public on flooding issues including attending meetings in person with flood victims and ward members. You would also manage our watercourse maintenance contractors undertaking activities throughout the city such as asset repair, debris/trash screen clearances and land management works. This includes the monitoring of budgets and ensuring that our standards are being met in terms of both Health & Safety and quality of work. The role requires extensive knowledge of flood risk/civil engineering assets, contractor management, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

For informal conversation, please contact Jonathan Moxon on Tel: 0113 37 88529 or email: Jonathan.Moxon@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds City Council are committed to promoting and living our values of being open, honest and trusted : treating people fairly : spending money wisely : working as a team for Leeds : working with communities

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To manage a team of professional and technical staff whose roles are to reduce the risk of flooding by ensuring that flood risk is considered at all stages of the development process and during an incident investigation, project delivery, and asset management activities.

Responsibilities:

• To manage a defined activity or a small range of the Department’s activities to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council’s Corporate Plan, and comply with Government Standards.
• To motivate, develop and coach within your area of the directorate to achieve Corporate Plan, Service Plan, and Divisional plan objectives.
• To undertake and manage the delivery of specified elements of the Divisional Plan, Service Plan and Corporate Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.
• Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, and community engagement areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
• Actively support continuous improvement initiatives by contributing to cross Council projects and supporting Service Management Team
• Within a small service area or number of areas, to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice and with regard to implementing e-government objectives
• To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government.
• To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.
• To be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with the Department Health and Safety Policy.
• To provide appropriate advice relating to the work of the Directorate to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.
  

Responsibilities for Grade:

• Manage a group of City Council staff together with the management, coordination and procurement of Contractor & Consultant staff engaged in the maintenance, investigation, feasibility, design and construction management of flood risk and civil engineering infrastructure projects and assets.
• Provide a high quality and cost-effective flood risk advisory service to support the growth agenda for the city.
• Support and assist in the development of policies with other sections of the council, which support efficient service delivery, continuous improvement and corporate objectives.
• Coach and mentor, the team so that they have the necessary skills to undertake their roles.
• Maintain an up to date understanding of key flood risk legislation, as it applies to the work of the team.
• Oversee the investigation of land drainage and flooding problems and report thereon.
• Provide expert advice to other sections of the council on flooding and drainage as part of a working group or project team.
• Ensure that the work of the team complies with Council’s policies and contributes to the sustainability agenda.
• Advise enquirers on land drainage matters, by telephone, in writing and in person.
• Support the development of staff within the team following the current staff development procedures.
• Comply with Standing Orders, Financial Procedures and Quality Assurance procedures.
  

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or similar relevant qualifications or can demonstrate relevant experience at a senior level.
  

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required:

• Ability to manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.
• Computer skills, including familiarity with standard office software applications.
• Able to write quality reports and carry out presentations to stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate key issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
• Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
• Ability to make an effective contribution to internal and external meetings.
• Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.
• Ability to resolve conflict.
• Ability to develop and contribute to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.
• Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with professionals from developers and partner organisations.
  

Knowledge Required:

• Knowledge of hydrological processes and modelling.
• Detailed knowledge of national guidance and procedures in relation to flood risk.
• Knowledge of drainage law and responsibilities.
  

Experience Required:

• Leadership and technical experience in flood risk management or wider civil engineering and environmental disciplines.
  

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  

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