Senior Flood and Water Officer

About the role

Lead the way in managing flood risk, protecting communities, and building resilience for the future.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in supporting the Council's responsibilities as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). As a Senior Flood and Water Officer, you will provide technical expertise and guidance in flood risk management, helping to shape sustainable development and strengthen community resilience to flooding.

You will lead on complex technical assessments, flood risk data analysis, and responses to planning consultations, while supporting the development and delivery of flood risk strategies, policies, and projects. The role also offers the opportunity to mentor and support junior colleagues, working collaboratively with partners, developers, and local communities to achieve effective flood risk management outcomes across the area.

What will you be doing?

As a Senior Flood and Water Officer, you will play a key role in leading the Council's flood risk management activities, providing technical expertise, supporting sustainable development, and helping to protect communities from the impacts of flooding. Working closely with internal teams, external partners, and local communities, you will lead on complex flood risk matters, contribute to strategic projects, and support the development of colleagues within the team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading technical assessments of flood risk and surface water drainage proposals for planning applications.
• Providing specialist flood risk and drainage advice to internal teams, developers, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Investigating flood incidents through site visits, data collection, analysis, and engagement with affected communities.
• Maintaining and enhancing the Council's GIS-based flood risk asset register and associated datasets.
• Supporting the preparation, review, and implementation of statutory flood risk documents, including the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Surface Water Management Plans.
• Contributing to the delivery of the Council's role as a statutory consultee on major developments, assessing flood mitigation measures and reviewing Flood Risk Assessments.
• Supporting the regulation of works affecting ordinary watercourses, including consenting activities, enforcement matters, and drainage bylaw reviews.
• Working collaboratively with organisations such as the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, and Emergency Planning colleagues to manage and reduce flood risk.
• Assisting in the development and delivery of flood alleviation schemes and community resilience projects.
• Representing the Council at meetings with partner organisations, developers, and neighbouring authorities.
• Mentoring and supporting junior officers, helping to develop technical knowledge and professional skills within the team.
• Responding to enquiries from residents, elected members, developers, and other stakeholders on flood and drainage matters.
• Supporting the preparation of funding applications, business cases, and project documentation to secure investment in flood risk initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity to influence how flood risk is managed across North Northamptonshire, helping to safeguard people, property, and the environment for future generations.

About you

• Level 6 (Undergraduate Degree) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience gained through professional practice.
• Applied knowledge of flood risk management and LLFA responsibilities.
• Experience of assessing drainage strategies and flood risk assessments.
• Experience of managing and analysing spatial datasets and GIS.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation including FWMA, Flood Risk…