Job Title: Group Engineer – Critical Asset Management - Flood & Climate Resilience Management

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House, Knowsthorpe Gate, Hybrid, Site Locations

As a Group Engineer in Flood and Climate Resilience Management, you will play a key role in reducing flood risk across Leeds. Through the effective operation and maintenance of critical assets, you will help protect residents, businesses, and vital infrastructure.

To watch videos on the impact of our schemes and see some of the assets FCRM manage, operate and inspect visit: Leeds Flood and Climate Resilience Team Impacts and Projects

Leeds City Council is 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.

About You

As a Group Engineer, you will bring to the role:

Proven ability to lead, manage and develop a team, providing clear direction, support and performance management to engineers and technicians.
Strong experience in the operation, maintenance, inspection and asset management of mechanical, electrical, control, hydraulic and civil assets, ideally within a critical infrastructure or operational environment.
Experience of managing planned and reactive maintenance programmes, ensuring assets are safe, reliable and fit for purpose.
A working knowledge of relevant legislation, standards and best practice relating to asset management, health and safety, and operational service delivery.
Ability to make sound technical and operational decisions, balancing risk, cost and service outcomes.
Demonstrable experience of planning and prioritising work programmes, managing resources and delivering services effectively.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships and represent the service confidently.
A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to identify issues, drive improvements and optimise asset performance.
Strong organisational skills, with a track record of meeting deadlines, managing competing priorities and maintaining high standards.

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 Group Engineer in the Asset Management Team, you will be involved in:

Managing and maintaining asset management systems and databases (e.g. AMX), ensuring accurate information to support operational delivery.
Coordinating the Council’s flood incident planning, response and recovery activities.
Managing the delivery of inspection and maintenance programmes for flood risk assets, including the Leeds FAS scheme, ensuring works are prioritised and completed effectively.
Overseeing the identification of maintenance needs, raising of works orders, and management of contractor performance.
Ensuring all operational activities are delivered in line with Leeds City Council policies, procedures and health and safety requirements.

Working across office, site and home environments, you will support a flexible and collaborative team culture. This is an opportunity to play a key role in maintaining and improving flood resilience across Leeds, within a supportive team with opportunities for 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.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, contact Jack Pike Jack.Pike@leeds.gov.uk

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 manage the operational delivery of flood risk asset management across Leeds, ensuring the effective maintenance, performance and reliability of critical mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and civil infrastructure. The role is responsible for overseeing teams, systems and contractors to deliver safe, efficient services that reduce flood risk and protect communities.

Principal Responsibilities

Manage 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.

It should be noted that this job description is subject to occasional changes in response to organisation change/review or to assist flexibility. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list. Other duties may be undertaken which are commensurate with the grade and within the spirit of the post as specified by the Manager after consultation with staff concerned/trade unions.

Responsibilities for Grade

Manage the delivery, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets, including the Leeds FAS, through the supervision of staff, contractors and resources.
Provide a high-quality, cost-effective asset management service, ensuring the effective performance and reliability of flood risk management assets.
Support the implementation of policies, procedures and service improvements to ensure efficient operational delivery and continuous improvement.
Represent the Service, the Directorate and the Council as required on matters relating to the management, operation and maintenance of flood risk management assets.
Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, Health & Safety and environmental legislation across all operational activities.
Ensure all work is delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, standards, policies and best practice.
Maintain an awareness of relevant flood risk management legislation and statutory procedures and ensure these are applied within service delivery.
Support the development of effective partnership working with internal and external stakeholders.
Maintain and promote up-to-date knowledge of asset management practices and issues relating to flood risk management infrastructure.
Oversee the management of maintenance and construction activities, including undertaking the role of Supervisor where required.
Actively support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to wider Council and Flood Risk Management service objectives.
Coordinate and support flood incident management activities, including a focus on the Leeds FAS.

Qualifications

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

Essential Requirements

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

Ability to work effectively as part of a team while providing leadership to achieve positive outcomes and deliver a flexible, responsive service.
Commitment to continued professional development for both self and team members.
Ability to manage, support and develop staff through coaching, performance management and supervision.
Commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in both employment and service delivery.
Understanding of and commitment to sustainability in operational service delivery.
Ability to contribute to and implement initiatives that improve service standards and performance.
Ability to take forward service improvements and policies from development through to practical implementation.
A sound working knowledge of CDM Regulations, Health & Safety and environmental legislation, and their application in operational environments.
An understanding of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and other relevant flood risk management legislation.
Ability to work with minimal supervision, managing competing priorities and adapting to changing operational demands.
Significant experience in the delivery, management, inspection, operation and maintenance of flood risk management or similar infrastructure assets.
Well-developed IT and asset management system skills to support service delivery and reporting.
Ability to coordinate and support flood incident management activities, with a focus on operational response.
Experience of managing asset-related works and programmes to meet service and customer needs.
Understanding of the public sector environment and its relationship with private and third sector partners.
Ability to interpret and apply corporate priorities and values in day-to-day service delivery.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly present information both verbally and in writing.
Ability to produce reports and deliver presentations.
Ability to work collaboratively with senior officers, stakeholders and members of the public.

Desirable Requirements

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

The postholder will be required to liaise with:

Staff of Highways & Transportation
Client Departments of the City Council
External clients, contractors, and consultants
Elected representatives
Members of the public

The postholder may be required to have contact with:

The Departmental Management Team
Staff of external partner organisations – e.g. Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and neighbouring Lead Local Flood Authorities

Experience Required:

Leadership and technical experience in flood risk management or wider civil engineering and environmental disciplines.
Of an awareness of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
Of managing in an office environment.

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 equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies 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.