Job Title: Group Engineer - Development Control - Flood and Climate Resilience Management
Salary: £44,711 - £47,754
Hours: 37 hours
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House
Could you make a difference to the future of our city?
The impacts of a changing climate are challenging for countries and cities across the world. The Flood & Climate Resilience Management (FCRM) team here in Leeds is doing innovative and important work to make Leeds a more climate resilient city. If youę motivated to help protect Leeds from the impacts of climate change both now and in the future, we love for you to join us.
Following the completion of one of the largest and most innovative flood schemes in the country this year, we are seeking to recruit to a number of roles across our team, and we have opportunities at a range of grades and in different specialist areas. Although traditionally flood risk management is a civil engineering discipline, our FCRM team here in Leeds is looking for a diverse group of people that can bring skills and experience from a broad range of disciplines, such as (but not limited to) geography, project management, infrastructure operation and maintenance, data management, and environmental management.
To find out more about some of our ongoing and completed schemes visit:
To find out more about some of our ongoing and completed schemes visit: Have Your Say Today – Leeds City Council Flood Resilience – Commonplace
To watch videos on the impact of our schemes and what it’s like to work in the FCRM team visit: Leeds Flood and Climate Resilience Team Impacts and Projects
Leeds is a growing, vibrant and diverse city, and Leeds City Council is the second largest local authority in England, as well as being an inclusive, modern and flexible employer. We are also one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
To see our other roles please search for any keywords under Flood and Climate Resilience Management.
Please also note that we are conducting a coordinated recruitment campaign and may consider candidates for a number of roles.
About you
As a Group Engineer in Development Control - Flood & Climate Resilience Management, you will bring to the role:
- Knowledge and experience of flood risk and drainage design
- An understanding of the planning process and the role of the Planning Authority and Lead Local Flood Authority
- The ability to communicate key issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally and the ability to resolve conflict.
- The Ability to monitor and coach more junior members of staff.
- The ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of schemes and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
About the role
We have a rewarding opportunity for a professional working in Flood & Climate Resilience Management and the wider Civil Engineering service area and are looking for someone with experience of working within the Flood & Climate Resilience Management sector. Your background may be hydrology, geography, civil engineering, Town & Country planning, or a related subject. This is a senior role which offers a diverse and challenging workload. You will provide technical and mentoring support to not only the other members of the Development Control team, but also to other parts of Flood & Climate Resilience Management Team. In addition, you will develop partnerships both within the council and with external parties to ensure we protect against present and future flood risk. The Development Control team provides a Statutory function advising on surface water risk on planning applications. The team deal with nearly 2000 planning applications a year. In addition, the team are required to approve 'Watercourse consents', advise on highways and Section 38 schemes, develop policy and advisory notes, and influence working practises.
Flooding represents a crucial challenge both now and into the future as the impacts of climate change become apparent.
We are always looking for better and smarter ways to work and are seeking the right person to help us do that.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Complete the online application form.
Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, contact Nazneen Malik (Nazneen.Malik@leeds.gov.uk).
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Leeds City Council Job Profile
Job purpose
To manage staff advising the planning authority and developers on flood risk. In particular, developing and commenting on strategic plans, responding to planning applications and the provision of responses to preliminary enquiries.
- Manage a small group of staff in respect to the operation of the FCRM Development Control Section.
- To motivate and coach staff to achieve Corporate Plan, Service Plan and Divisional Plan Objectives.
- Supervision, appraisals and support for members of the team
- Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focusing on equality of outcome.
- Represent the Service, the Department and the Council as a Senior Officer at various meetings.
- Good awareness of Health and Safety legislation.
- Undertaking other duties of a similar nature and responsibility as may be determined.
- To abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
Responsibilities
- Managing staff carrying out the planning and development control functions of the FCRM team
- Undertake strategic assessment of the impact of development on land drainage systems in the city (including involvement in surface water management plans).
- Advise planners and developers on flood risk in relation to Planning Applications.
- Appraise flood risk assessments submitted by developers and others
- Carry out hydrological and hydraulic modeling reviews.
- Check and approve designs for watercourse works submitted by developers.
- Dealing with applications for culverting and other works affecting watercourses, etc.
- Provide additional advice and support to enquiries/searches under NRASWA procedures where needed.
- Inspect developers’ drainage construction works.
- 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.
- The post holder will be required to liaise with internal staff, external clients/contractors/consultants, and client departments. The post holder may be required to have contact with the Departmental Management Team, the staff of external partner organisations, elected representatives, and members of the public.
Qualifications
Desirable to be professionally qualified in a construction related discipline, together with a degree in Civil Engineering or other appropriate discipline and relevant levels of experience.
Essential requirements
Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
- 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.
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.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- 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.
- 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.
- Take ownership of own personal development.
- Understand how to inspire and motivate others.
- Customer driven.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude.
Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Skills Required
- Possess a current driving licence
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Ability to work to deadlines.
- Ability to resolve conflict.
- Awareness of public sector issues.
- 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 be practical and hands on where and when necessary.
Knowledge Required
- Desirable to be professionally qualified in a construction related discipline
- A degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering or other appropriate discipline
- Knowledge of ecological and environmental issues in relation to watercourses
- Knowledge of hydrological processes and experience of modelling.
- Detailed knowledge of national guidance and procedures in relation to development and flood risk
- Knowledge of drainage law and responsibilities
- Understanding of sustainable drainage systems
Experience Required
- Experience of using AutoCAD and GIS software
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
- Willing to take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
