Flood Resilience and Sustainable Drainage Systems Officer

We're recruiting a Flood Resilience and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Officer to join our dedicated and collaborative Flood and Water Management Team. The team delivers the full range of our responsibilities as Lead Local Flood Authority under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Land Drainage Act 1991. We also work closely with local communities and partners to strengthen resilience, reduce flood risk and deliver flood schemes that support the wider growth of Milton Keynes. You'll play an important part in this work, providing technical advice, supporting our response to flooding and helping make sure new development considers flood risk and sustainable drainage. It's a rewarding role where your specialist knowledge will contribute directly to making Milton Keynes a safer, more resilient and sustainable place to live. This reflects What Makes Us Milton Keynes City Council, which emphasises making the city a better place to live, taking action on climate change and working collaboratively with partners. This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site Interviews for this role will be held on 9th December 2026 Please note, interviews are held in person. At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We're dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive. We take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues.,

• Help reduce flood risk across Milton Keynes by supporting our statutory responsibilities as the Lead Local Flood Authority.
• Support our response to flooding and work with communities to improve local resilience, including the development of Community Flood Plans.
• Provide clear technical advice on flood risk, surface water drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems, including advice that supports the determination of planning applications.
• Support consenting and enforcement work, carry out site visits and help coordinate investigations following flooding.
• Contribute to the implementation, monitoring and review of our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and support the development of flood management schemes, studies and funding opportunities.
• Build effective relationships with partners including the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, Anglian Water, The Parks Trust, highways colleagues and other relevant organisations.
  
  A relevant degree, or an equivalent level of professional experience, in an appropriate subject such as geography, flood risk management, civil engineering or planning is essential.
• You'll bring a good understanding of Sustainable Drainage Systems and drainage schemes, including assessing surface water drainage and sustainable drainage proposals for new developments.
• Confident analytical skills will help you understand and interpret complex technical information, data and reports and turn them into clear, practical advice.
• Clear communication will be important, as you'll explain flood risk and drainage matters to residents, colleagues, councillors and professionals from areas including planning and engineering.
• Building positive working relationships should come naturally to you, as the role involves close collaboration with colleagues and external partners.
• A good knowledge of the statutory functions of a Lead Local Flood Authority, alongside a Dedicated, Respectful and Collaborative approach, will help you make a positive contribution from the start.
Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle To be successful in this role, you'll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we'll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We're unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received.

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live. We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role. If you'd like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council. Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have an independent and unrestricted right to work in the UK, without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.


• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes Roles are either 'site based' or 'home based'. Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs. Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week. The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.