Local Lead Flood Risk Manager - Crewe, United Kingdom - Ringway Jacobs

Description

Local Lead Flood Risk Manager

Contract: Cheshire East Highways

Location: Crewe

Contract Type: Permanent

We are seeking a pro-active manager to lead our Lead Local Flood Team for the Authority (LLFA).
The LLFA team, is responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses and we are seeking a manager to ensure we deliver our statutory duties and priorities.
You will be delivering innovative schemes to improve flooding resilience in partnership with organisations including the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board and United Utilities. You will also ensure we meet our obligations under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Land Drainage Act 1991.
Provide advice and recommendations to Client Officers and Councillors on flood risk matters as well as engaging with members of the public and community flood groups. You will lead in the commissioning of projects, the development of policy and ensure planning applications are reviewed within agreed timescales

The Role

•Provide Management, leadership, guidance, and direction to members of staff in the FCERM Team. Deputise for and support the Contract Manager as necessary. Demonstrate a timely and informed approach to problem solving and decision making across a broad range of matters relevant to flood and coastal erosion risk management, including guidance and provision of training in relation to legislative and service requirements.

•Review the effects of legislation, policy, and practice on the performance of the service. Ensure the team administer and implement strategies, policies, capital projects and initiatives ensuring that the delivery of the Flood and Coastal Risk Management function meets the needs of local people, elected members and stakeholders. This includes the 'Local Flood Risk Management Strategy', 'Flood Risk Management Plans', 'Shoreline Management Plans' etc.

•Develop and maintain a close working relationship with Central Government's Flood and Coastal Risk Management team and other Risk Management Agencies and Authorities. Authorities' including EA, UU, MHA and others. Identify, develop, and implement collaborative working arrangements where opportunities exist and to encourage the sharing of best practice.

•Manage all financial matters within the purview of the LLFA and future SAB functions. Manage revenue and capital budgets, grant funding, fee generation and income streams and assess budgetary implications to deliver a professional service which is value for money. Identify and implement the financial arrangements and procedures so that service cost recovery opportunities are maximised.

•Lead and manage the preparation and implementation of policies and procedures relating to the development of CEC's SAB delivery model. Establish and implement the internal arrangements, procedures and working practices with other council services (including Highways, Legal, Planning, etc.) to enable the Council to deliver this duty as effectively as possible and ensure the consistent application of the National Surface Water Drainage Standards.

•Determine complex applications made to the Authority for the approval of drainage works and their adoption by the Council as SAB in a robust and timely manner. Endorse the recommendations made by team members and prepare evidence and appeal statements and to represent the Authority and give evidence to PLI/Hearings and at Court. Where expedient implement decisive enforcement action to remedy breaches where construction works have been undertaken in the absence of, or contrary to the details of a SuDS approval issued under Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act.

•Respond to complaints and reports to the Council pertinent to local flood risk sources. Determine those instances where it is necessary and appropriate for the Authority to fulfil a statutory duty under the Land Drainage Act or other relevant legislation. Oversee and manage the approach taken in carrying out investigations and any subsequent enforcement action where appropriate and expedient.

•Manage customer enquiries and correspondence pertinent to local flood risk sources. Determine those instances where it is necessary and appropriate for the Authority to fulfil a statutory duty under the Land Drainage Act or other relevant legislation. Oversee and manage the approach taken in carrying out investigations and any subsequent enforcement action where appropriate and expedient.

•Oversee and manage the approach taken in carrying out investigations and any subsequent enforcement action where appropriate and expedient.

•Represent the Council and Service in a senior capacity in a positive and professional manner on matters related to FCERM. Attend meetings, committees, working groups, public and community forums etc. as required.

•Represent and provide input into sub-regional and National FCRM matters, such as Central Government or northwest based collaborative working groups or arrangements, as well as responding to national consultations on changes to or new regulations, policies or guidance.

•Be the Authority's lead on managing Central Government funded coast protection and flood alleviation schemes. From inception and feasibility, through the Government's approval process and public consultations, managing consultants and contractors to the commissioning. Be responsible for exercising financial control over capital works projects. Undertake tenders and procurement procedures as necessary to acquire the services of specialist engineering Consultant's and Contractors to undertake projects and works. Put in place the appropriate contracts such as NEC required to deliver engineering works and projects for the Council.

•Manage liaison with the public regarding projects, organise and attend public exhibitions and consultations on major projects. Respond to public queries, meet with landowners/agent. Represent CE at public events.

•Ensure Cheshire East Council's asset register and GIS database of structures or features likely to have an effect on flood risk is continued to be developed and populated in a prioritised risk-based approach. Monitor the structural condition of Council owned and operated FCERM assets.

•Manage and lead on the Authority's statutory duty as a 'reservoir undertaker' to ensure the Council owned raised reservoirs are managed in accordance with the requirements of the Reservoirs Act 1975.

•To work effectively and flexibly as a resource for the Planning Strategy Service responding to changing demands within and beyond the service, demonstrating the highest standards of customer care.

•Manage the team and their roles in emergency planning and recovery after a flood event.

•Undertake a statutory consultee role providing technical advice on surface water drainage to local planning authorities major developments (10 dwellings or more)

•Ensure the team maintain a register of assets that have a significant effect on flooding in their area.
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About You

•Hold a water or environmental or equivalent qualification to degree level. Essential.

•BSc/BA diploma in management or a relevant field. Desirable.

•To have experience of worked in a public facing role, representing the organisation with an ability to process complex information to advise, direct and steer senior management, Councillors, and other persons commensurate to the post. Essential

•Experience of building effective working partnerships and working with external and national stakeholders/partners (e.g., Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board, United Utilities).

Benefits

At Ringway Jacobs we recognise that our people make the difference, and in order to do what we do well, particular care is taken in nurturing and investing in our people. That's why you will always be given the opportunity to utilise your expertise and develop your career.

Ringway Jacobs recognises the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements across many of our roles. We therefore welcome applications from people looking for an alternative working pattern e.g. part-time hours, job share etc. Please let us know on your CV or cover letter if this is what you are looking for.

In return for your hard work you will receive:
- Sick Pay
- Competitive salary
- Opportunity to purchase up to 5 days extra leave
- A variety of discounts through our "RJ Rewards" app, including restaurants, holidays, days out etc
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension scheme

The Company

We are Ringway Jacobs, a leading highways service provider working with local authorities across the UK. Formed in 2005, specifically to provide road network management solutions to local government, our unique blend of engineering capability, innovation and customer care make us the best in class. We support over 10,000 miles of highways, 10,000 miles of footway, almost 7,800 miles of public rights of way and 242,000 street lights. We excel in delivering safe, sustainable service excellence, through our passion, integrity and collaborative culture.

Ringway Jacobs is an equal opportunities employer. We wish to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and the fair treatment of all our employees.