Principal Engineer (Flood and Climate Resilience Management) - REQ004520

Job Title: Principal Asset Management Engineer - Flood & Climate Resilience Management

Salary: PO6 £51,356 - £54,495

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 are driving innovative solutions to enhance the city’s climate resilience and protect communities.If you are motivated to help protect Leeds from the impacts of climate change both now and in the future, we’d 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 three opportunities at varying levels, within the team that directly inspects, maintains and operates schemes. The Principal Engineer will provide leadership with a focus on service delivery and asset management. We are 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 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 dynamic, diverse, and rapidly growing city. Leeds City Council (LCC), the second-largest local authority in England, is proud to be an inclusive, modern, and flexible employer committed to supporting its workforce and community.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 valuesand ambitions.

For more information about our benefits please see the benefits section of our jobs page. www.leeds.gov.uk/jobs

We are seeking a Principal Engineer in our Flood and Climate Resilience Management Asset Management Team to join our organisation. The primary responsibility of this roles is to reduce flood risk in Leeds and lead on and oversee the activities of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (LFAS), Maintenance and Operations Team. As the team lead, you will supervise a small group of staff, provide guidance, and support, and ensure the achievement of corporate objectives. You will represent the Service, the Department, and the Council at various meetings and promote positive solutions for diversity and equality.

As Principal Engineer you will manage a team of professionals and provide expert advice relating to flood assets to internal and external stakeholders. The role is key to ensuring that the council adheres to its duties as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), in particular S19 and S21 of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010. You will be expected to provide updates to councillors and members of the public on flooding issues including attending meetings in person with flood victims and ward members. You would also manage our M&E maintenance contractors undertaking activities on LFAS such as asset repair, pneumatic / electrical maintenance activities and operating key assets in response to flooding. This includes ensuring that LCC standards are achieved in terms of both Health & Safety and quality of work. The role requires extensive knowledge of flood risk/civil engineering assets, contractor management, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

For informal conversation, contact Stephanie Millar - email stephanie.millar@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds City Council are committed to promoting and living our values of being open, honest and trusted ~ treating people fairly ~ spending money wisely ~ working as a team for Leeds ~ working with communities

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

To provide strategic leadership across FCRM and the wider H&T teams and manage a team of professional and technical staff whose roles are to reduce the risk of flooding by ensuring that flood risk is taken into account at all stages of the development process and during incident investigation, project delivery and asset management activities.

Responsibilities

Oversee City Council staff and manage the coordination, procurement, and supervision of contractors and consultants involved in the maintenance, investigation, feasibility studies, design, and construction management of flood risk and civil engineering infrastructure projects and assets.
Provide a high quality and cost-effective flood risk advisory service to support the growth agenda for the city.
Support and assist in the development of policies with other sections of the council, which support efficient service delivery, continuous improvement, and corporate objectives
Represent the Service, the Department, and the Council as a senior officer at senior internal forums and partnerships e.g., Scrutiny boards, regional and national flood risk partnerships, Cllr briefings, public events, conferences and similar as required.
Coach and mentor the team so that they have the necessary skills to undertake their roles.
Maintain an up to date understanding of key flood risk legislation, as it applies to the work of the team.
Oversee the investigation of land drainage and flooding problems and report thereon.
Provide expert advice to other sections of the council on flooding and drainage as part of a working group or project team.
Ensure that the work of the team complies with Council's policies and contributes to the sustainability agenda
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.
Manage a defined activity or a small range of the Department’s activities to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council’s Corporate Plan and comply with Government Standards.
Motivate, develop and coach within your area of the directorate to achieve Corporate Plan, Service Plan and Divisional plan objectives.
Undertake and manage the delivery of specified elements of the Divisional Plan, Service Plan and Corporate Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.
Champion and implement initiatives that promote diversity and equality across all aspects of service delivery and community engagement, with a strong focus on achieving equitable outcomes.
To support in the overall running of the FCRM section and assume delegated responsibilities as and when required.
Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects and supporting Service Management Team
Within a small service area or number of areas, to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners, and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice and with regard to implementing government objectives
To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive, and accountable government.
To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice at a senior and strategic level.
To be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with the Department Health and Safety Policy.
To provide appropriate advice relating to the work of the Directorate to Members and council officers to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.

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.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills:

Ability to provide leadership, which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results.
Ability to manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.
Commitment to continued professional development
An understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery
Computer skills, including familiarity with standard office software applications.
Ability to review and produce comprehensive high-quality reports and written correspondence. Able to assist in developing business cases and to deliver presentations to a diverse audience at a senior political and strategic level.
Ability to communicate key issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
Able to operate at a peer-to-peer level with Technical Directors, Senior Consultants, and developers.
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 independently 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.
Knowledge of the public sector and its relationship with the private and third sectors.

Experience:

Leadership and technical experience in flood risk management or wider civil engineering and environmental disciplines.

Knowledge:

Knowledge of hydrological processes and modelling.
Detailed knowledge of national guidance and procedures in relation to flood risk
Knowledge of flood risk law and responsibilities

Qualifications:

A degree or equivalent level qualification and experience relevant to the role is an essential requirement.
Membership of a relevant professional institution is a preferred but not an essential requirement.
A post graduate qualification in a relevant technical and/or management discipline is a desirable but not an essential requirement.

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’s 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.

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