Flood and Climate Resilience Management - Senior Engineer

Job Title: Senior Engineer – Asset Management (Flood and Climate Resilience Management)

Hours: 37 per week – Full Time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the city and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role

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 you’re 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 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.

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 Senior Engineer in Flood & Climate Resilience Management, you will bring to the role:

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in the delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management or related assets.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of schemes and adapting to changing and challenging circumstances and priorities.
• Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.
• Ability to monitor and coach more junior members of staff.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

About the role

This is a senior role which offers a diverse and challenging workload. You will lead, support, advise and assess the work of others both within the council and external parties, including consultants and contractors to ensure we protect against present and future flood risk. We’re seeking a proactive and detail-oriented engineer with experience in asset management, flood risk, or infrastructure maintenance

As the Senior Engineer in the Asset Management Team, you will be involved in: -

• Maintaining and developing databases such at AMX, inspecting and reporting on existing assets accurately and in a timely manner
• Actively support the Council’s flood incident planning, response, and recovery efforts.
• Lead inspections and coordinate repairs of flood assets, with a strong focus on the Leeds FAS scheme. Identify maintenance needs, raise works orders, and manage contractor relationships
• Adhere to Leeds City Council policies and procedures in all aspects of your work.

Working across office, site, and home environments, contributing to a flexible and collaborative team culture. This is a chance to make a real impact on flood resilience and infrastructure across Leeds within a supportive and growing team environment with opportunities for career development.

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

Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Jack Pike or Ian Coldwell, Group Engineers within the Asset Management Team.

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 work as a Senior Member of the Flood Risk Management Team engaged in all works to reduce flood risk in Leeds also to engage in the delivery, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets, undertake activities as required and supervise the work of other staff within the team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small group of staff and the supply chain engaged in the delivery, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets, including the Leeds FAS.
• 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.
• Undertake delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets, including the Leeds FAS and as a senior team member manage schemes, contracts and supervise staff.
• Provide a high quality and cost-effective asset management service to support the inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets with particular focus on the Leeds FAS.
• Support the development of policies to ensure efficient service delivery, continuous improvement and corporate objectives.
• Represent the Service, the Department and the Council as a senior officer for matters relating to the management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets.
• Experience of working within the requirements of the CDM regulations, H&S and environmental legislation.
• Ensure that all work is produced in accordance with legislation and to the appropriate local, national and corporate standards, policies and practices.
• An understanding of working within the framework of highway and flood risk management legislation and statutory procedures.
• Assist in the development of partnership working.
• Continually develop and maintain specialist knowledge of contemporary issues associated with the preparation and delivery and management of flood risk management assets and schemes.
• Undertake the role of Supervisor on heavy maintenance and construction contracts when required.
• Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council schemes and supporting the Flood Risk Management Team.
• Plan and carry out flood incident management activities including a particular focus on the Leeds FAS.
• 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

• HNC/HND or similar relevant qualifications or can demonstrate relevant experience at a senior level.

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

• Ability to work as an effective member of a team in order to achieve positive outcomes and provide a flexible and responsive service.
• Commitment to continued professional development.
• Ability to monitor and coach more junior members of staff.
• Achievement of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
• An understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery.
• Ability to contribute to initiatives to improve standards and performance.
• Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.
• A working knowledge of CDM, H&S and environmental Legislation.
• An understanding of drainage, sewerage systems and basic drainage law
• An understanding/appreciation of Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and other related flood risk management legislation
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of schemes and adapting to changing and challenging circumstances and priorities.
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in the delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management or related assets.
• Well-developed computer skills in relation to the delivery of highway and flood risk management schemes and asset management.
• Ability to plan and carry out flood incident management activities with particular focus on the Leeds FAS.
• Experience of delivery and managing schemes and assets to meet customer needs using scheme management techniques and reporting recommendations.
• Appreciation of the public sector and its relationship with the private and third sectors.
• Ability to interpret corporate vision and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
• Ability to communicate key issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to write reports and carry out presentations, including post flood investigations and Section 19 reports.
• Awareness of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
• Ability to work in close liaison with Flood Risk Management Senior Officers, and members of the public.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• 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.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• 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.
• Experience and skills to manage contractors acting as the Engineers Representative on behalf of the Council, with minimal supervision.