Job Title: Flood and Climate Resilience Management - Group Engineer
Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282
Hours: 37 per week - Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Various council sites including city centre, Cross Green and Stourton as well as home working.
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: Have Your Say Today - Leeds City Council Flood Resilience - Commonplace
To watch videos on the impact of our schemes and what it 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 Flood & Climate Resilience Management, you will bring to the role:
- Experience of Environmental/flood risk project management and/or managing work relating to the climate emergency.
- Understanding of the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) and how this relates to Leeds City Council.
- Knowledge of Natural Flood Management (NFM) and how measures can be used to reduce flood risk.
- A degree or equivalent in an environmental discipline or relevant experience at a senior level
About the role
To work as a member of Flood & Climate Resilience Management (FCRM) and specifically the Climate, Strategy & Innovation Team engaged in all workstreams across Highways & Transportation (H&T) to respond to the Climate Emergency in Leeds. To provide technical climate change mitigation and adaptation advice and project management support to Highways & Transportation (H&T) teams in the delivery of the planning, implementation and delivery of a wide range of initiatives to respond to the Climate Emergency in Leeds.
To also work as part of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC), a unique model blending public and private funding to sustainably fund capital and revenue interventions in key locations in the Aire Catchment that enable landscape change to measurably reduce flood risk in Leeds.
As a Group Engineer in Flood & Climate Resilience Management, you will be involved in:
- Leading on the day-to-day management of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC) to ensure the delivery of specific outcomes. This will include working with external partners to achieve this.
- Leading on ensuring the Leeds Local Flood Risk Management Strategy is updated in line with national policy and LCC Best Council Ambitions. This will include managing internal and external relationships to influence the strategy and ensure it includes a strong climate resilience narrative, that utilises innovation to reduce flood risk sustainably.
- Provide technical climate change mitigation and adaptation advice and project management support to Highways & Transportation (H&T) teams in the delivery of the planning, implementation and delivery of a wide range of initiatives to respond to the Climate Emergency in Leeds.
- Undertaking and managing the delivery of specific elements of work which contribute towards increasing climate resilience in Leeds, ensuring that stages of development, delivery, operation and maintenance of works and assets are properly utilised in the management of climate risks.
- Motivate, develop and coach team members engaged in the delivery of the planning, implementation and delivery of a wide range of initiatives to respond to the climate emergency in Leeds.
- Represent Leeds City Council at meetings, presentations and site visits with a variety of political, business and public stakeholders and where required manage conflict in a manner that is engaging, professional, participatory and sensitive to culture and politics.
A degree or equivalent in an environmental discipline or relevant experience at a senior level. No direct engineering qualifications are required for this role.
Professionally qualified in CIWEM or ICE (or working towards), a full UK Driving Licence is desirable.
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 Mark Garford - mark.garford@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.
Job Description
Job purpose
Work as a member of Flood & Climate Resilience Management (FCRM) and specifically the Climate, Strategy & Innovation Team engaged in all workstreams across Highways & Transportation (H&T) responding to the Climate Emergency in Leeds
LCC H&T have implemented governance arrangements that strengthen their ability to achieve progress on responding to the climate emergency, including the production of a H&T Climate Action Plan. As a dedicated climate resource, you will be required to ensure key climate actions are delivered with particular emphasis on delivering against the H&T business plan and Transport Strategy.
LCC H&T have implemented governance arrangements that strengthen their ability to achieve progress on responding to the climate emergency, including the production of a H&T Climate Action Plan. As a dedicated climate resource, you will be required to ensure key climate actions are delivered with particular emphasis on delivering against the H&T business plan and Transport Strategy.
Responsibilities
- Lead on the day-to-day management of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC) to ensure the delivery of specific outcomes. This will include working with external partners to achieve this.
- Lead on ensuring Leeds Local Flood Risk Management Strategy is updated in line with national policy and LCC Best Council Ambitions. This will include managing internal and external relationships to influence the strategy and ensure it includes a strong climate resilience narrative, that utilises innovation to reduce flood risk sustainably.
- Provide technical climate change mitigation and adaptation advice and project management support to Highways & Transportation (H&T) teams in the delivery of the planning, implementation and delivery of a wide range of initiatives to respond to the Climate Emergency in Leeds.
- Work as part of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC), a unique model blending public and private funding to sustainably fund capital and revenue interventions in key locations in the Aire Catchment that enable landscape change to measurably reduce flood risk in Leeds.
- Responsible for financial aspects of grant claims, ensuring opportunities for external funding are maximised and benefits are realised and any grants are claimed accurately and promptly.
- Responsible for financial aspects of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC), ensuring opportunities for external funding are maximised and benefits are realised, and any contributions are claimed accurately and promptly. In addition, responsibility for the processes to ensure any other relevant income from external sources is received by the Authority.
- Undertake and manage the delivery of specific elements of work which contribute towards increasing climate resilience in Leeds, ensuring that stages of development, delivery, operation and maintenance of works and assets are properly utilised in the management of climate risks.
- Motivate, develop and coach team members engaged in the delivery of the planning, implementation and delivery of a wide range of initiatives to respond to the climate emergency in Leeds.
- Represent Leeds City Council at meetings, presentations and site visits with a variety of political, business and public stakeholders and where required manage conflict in a manner that is engaging, professional, participatory and sensitive to culture and politics.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications degree or equivalent in an environmental discipline or relevant skills, knowledge and experience at a senior level is essential. Professionally qualified in CIWEM or ICE (or working towards), a full UK Driving Licence is desirable.
Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
- Able to lead and work effectively as part of a team, demonstrating organisational and time management skills prioritising own and team work to meet conflicting deadlines
- Able to manage staff, and contribute to their development through appraisal, supervision and training
- Able to support staff to feel motivated and engaged in the values, vision and direction of the service, promoting the values of the Council through appropriate behaviour and professionalism.
- Able to develop constructive working relationships and to work in partnership with others
- Able to accurately enter and retrieve data and information from digital and manual systems preparing and presenting reports and data to a wide range of audiences
- Able to communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide range of people including internal, external partners and customers, through a variety of different methods
- Able to monitor activities in accordance with approved procedures whilst adhering to Financial Regulations. policies and procedures ensuring value for money
- Able to use initiative to develop solutions to issues and problems and promote and manage change, using negotiating skills to influence others.
- Able to use and experience of the use of information technology e.g. word, spreadsheet, database etc, in relation to the delivery of environmental and flood risk work.
- Able to lead on and take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation and report the outcomes clearly to senior members of staff and elected members
- Able to interpret corporate vision and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
- Understanding of the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) and how this relates to Leeds City Council.
- Knowledge of Natural Flood Management (NFM) and how measures can be used to reduce flood risk.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, policies with ability to interpret and apply them consistently.
- Understand responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, security, confidentiality and data protection
- Understand and appreciate the public sector and its relationship with the private and third sectors.
- Understand and appreciate compliance with legal, financial, governance and control frameworks including risk management
- Aware of public sector issues and how these relate to flood risk reduction and climate emergency.
- Aware of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
- Experience of management and providing day to day supervision, motivation and direction of staff
- Experience of Environmental/flood risk project management and/or managing work relating to the climate emergency.
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 policies and procedures.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
- 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 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.
