Graduate Flood Risk Officer

Role Responsibility

Put your career on the most exceptional path with Kent County Council.

Across all teams at Kent County Council, we are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for both businesses and residents. With a focus on making the best use of the resources available to us, we benefit from the support of a highly skilled workforce who enjoy developing the most ambitious initiatives. This is particularly true of our Flood and Water Management team – and it is here that you could find a fast-paced challenge.

We are currently looking for a Graduate Flood Risk Officer who will take on a wide range of challenges impacting on flooding, surface water and land drainage. Taking responsibility for assessing drainage proposals that have been put forward, your expert opinion will impact on major planning applications. Seeing to it that they comply with our drainage and planning policy, you will make recommendations to the planning authorities, and you will offer pre-application guidance to developers on land drainage proposals. Assessing and preparing applications for Land Drainage Consents, you will work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including developers and members of the public, and you will refer complex cases to more senior colleagues. With the capacity to handle a varied workload, you will also help us maintain our flood risk management data and support the delivery of sustainable drainage projects and flood mitigation schemes, making this a truly fascinating role with the scope for sector-leading learning and development opportunities.

You’ll discover there’s a strong emphasis on personal and professional development here, we will provide a structured training plan to develop your career, and you’ll be supported in studying for an associate project manager apprenticeship.

About You

As you will be working in partnership with a wide range of organisations including the Environment Agency and internal drainage boards, we will expect you to have comprehensive verbal and written communication skills, with the capacity to maintain relationships with both internal colleagues and external partners. With good problem-solving skills, you will bring a methodical and organised approach to all that you do, and you will have the capacity to gather, organise and analyse data. On a practical level you will have a degree (2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as science, engineering or mathematics, and you will have the ability to use GIS effectively in order to assess and analyse geospatial data. Crucially you will have a knowledge of English planning policy, and a comprehensive understanding of drainage and flooding principles.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

At a moment in time when there is a heightened interest in the environment, plus the impact of flooding and water management, this is a unique opportunity to join a team who embrace a dynamic working environment. So join us, and get your career off to a fantastic start.

Contact Details

For further information regarding this role, please contact Max Tant on 03000 413466.

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.