Flood Investigation Engineer

Fixed Term, Full Time

Up to £36,057 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 12th September 2021

Please note this is a 2 year fixed term contract with the possibility to extend a further year.

The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation service are looking for a new team member (fixed term) to lead on countywide flood incident investigations in addition to project managing our Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant scheme for Essex residents.

Through flood investigation reports the position will seek to summarise the circumstances leading to a flood and set out the role and responsibilities of all those involved. Working with residents and the community to understand local flood risk, the function of the drainage systems involved and factors which may intensify or mitigate the risks.

Our Property Flood Resilience (PFR) scheme supports residents with funding for products such as household flood barriers, air brick covers and pumps. Essex will be going through a procurement process in Autumn 2021 to secure a new long term service contract. The position will be involved in supporting our Procurement Team through this process and introducing the successful supplier to the Essex initiative. A close understanding of the level of applications, installations and completed schemes along with financial monitoring and actions such as invoicing/receipting and central funding claims will be required. The role will play a key part in handling questions, queries or challenges presented by the scheme which will be discussed with the project team. You will also be appointed to project manage the supply of this service to any external public sector partners.

The role is also a fantastic opportunity to be involved in wider flood and climate change mitigation projects with our communities and partners, such as natural flood management, tree planting and wider green infrastructure delivery. The successful applicant will be keen to promote flood awareness and resilience through working with our communications teams and other community climate change resilience projects being delivered in Essex.

Role responsibilities include:

· Responsible for carrying out on site investigation of flooding incidents and producing reports. Monitoring progress from contributors and reviewing internal investigation and reporting procedures.

· Act as the lead for on-site supervision of scheme delivery on behalf of the Council for Capital schemes, ensuring they are delivered to specification, on time, in budget and in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations.

· Responsible for the collation of flood risk data across partners, ensuring it is geo-referenced spatially.

· Responsible for managing local flood risk assessments and projects, including property-level protection schemes.

· Delivers assessment of flood warning and met office warnings to inform resource availability and coordination of messages with Emergency Planning.

· Responsible for ensuring the asset system is linked into flood investigation reporting and can be amended following flood events.

· Builds strong networks of colleagues in similar roles to identify leading edge practice and learning, applying this across the Council.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

· A relevant degree and/or alternative professional qualification, or equivalent by experience.

· Evidence of continuing professional development with expert knowledge in relevant professional area.

· Experience of engineering and/or hydrological background is desirable.

· Contract and project management skills, including budget monitoring and other accounting responsibilities.

· Knowledge of Flood Risk Management, Land Drainage and an understanding of the responsibilities of the Lead Local Flood Authority.

· Good communication skills, with evidence of successfully preparing and presenting reports and consultations.

· Experience of commissioning consultants and contractors.

· Project management experience with an ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and persuasively.

· Ability to build networks of contacts and maintain effective relationships across the Council and partner organisations in the public and private sector in order to secure data.

Please note this role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area and therefore a valid driving licence and use of a car is required, unless the role can be undertaken effectively by alternative transport As part of employment with Essex County Council should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please visit: https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. For more information please use the following link: https://www.workingforessex.com/working-here/pay-reward/

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email or call us on 0333 013 5888. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 08:30 - 16:30.