Location
Stevenage with hybrid working opportunities, Hertfordshire

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
Starting salary £42,839 plus £4,342 market enhancement, progressing to £47,181 plus £4,175 market enhancement per annum

About the Role
As a Senior Flood Risk and Adaptation Officer, you will play a vital role in preparing Hertfordshire for the growing impacts of climate change. This senior technical position combines project delivery, strategic input, and cross-sector collaboration to support flood risk management and climate adaptation across the county.

Your responsibilities include deputising for the Operations Manager, leading and coordinating flood risk and adaptation projects, preparing funding bids, and representing the council at regional committees. You will provide expert advice to elected members, engage with diverse stakeholders, mentor junior team members, and identify innovative opportunities to enhance the team’s impact.

You will also contribute to Hertfordshire’s Adaptation Strategy, raise awareness of climate risks across council services, and support governance and strategic planning related to climate resilience. This role offers opportunities to attend conferences and events nationwide to showcase Hertfordshire’s innovative work and to bring back new ideas.

The role involves working collaboratively across multiple disciplines including Emergency Management & Resilience, Countryside & Estate Management, Sustainable Hertfordshire initiatives, and Climate Adaptation efforts. You will help ensure the county is prepared for climate-related challenges by managing flood risk from surface water, ordinary watercourses, and groundwater, and by promoting nature-based solutions and long-term resilience.

Experience
- Experience working within the environmental sector or on climate adaptation or flood risk projects
- Good understanding of different types of flooding
- Familiarity with best practice guidance for surface water drainage and flood management techniques
- Experience in public engagement and stakeholder interaction
- Ability to clearly communicate complex technical matters to a range of audiences
- Strong presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
- Experience working with senior stakeholders, including elected members
- Ability to write and present technical information in accessible formats
- Experience managing or coordinating projects, including planning and delivery
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with strategic decision-making capability
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience using GIS software for mapping and spatial analysis

About You
- Ability to drive and travel around Hertfordshire using own transport or company vehicle
- Commitment to collaborative, innovative, and forward-thinking approaches
- Enthusiastic about climate resilience and community engagement

Qualifications
- Full UK driving licence required

Desirable
- Experience applying for or managing Environment Agency funding (e.g. Flood Defence Grant in Aid or Local Levy Regional Flood and Coastal Committees)
- Familiarity with NEC4 contracts or similar procurement frameworks
- Experience writing Section 19 flood investigations
- Understanding of local government structures and decision-making processes
- Ability to interpret hydraulic modelling outputs and technical design drawings