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This role has a starting salary of £42,958 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are excited to be recruiting a Senior Sustainable Drainage Officer to join the Sustainable Drainage and Consenting Team. We’re a busy, friendly, and active team who care about Sustainable Drainage! This role is based in Guildford and we offer a hybrid working model with a minimum of two office days per week.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service (prorated for part time staff)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

About the Role

Are you looking for an opportunity to build your career in flood risk management?

Surrey County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority for the County of Surrey and is responsible for providing planning advice to Local Planning Authorities on surface water drainage on new major planning applications.

The Sustainable Drainage and Consenting Team act as statutory planning consultees for surface water drainage on all major planning applications and carry out our role as regulatory authority for works affecting ordinary watercourses. We provide advice on over 1500 proposed developments per year, as well as providing pre-application advice and support on planning policy.

We are passionate advocates for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), climate change action and green/blue infrastructure, and seek to enhance development within county so that it provides better water quality, amenity, and biodiversity benefits, as well as helping to reduce flood risk.

Your key responsibilities as a Senior Sustainable Drainage Officer will include:

• Assess planning applications against requirements for sustainable drainage within the National Planning Policy Framework and National Standards for Sustainable Drainage
• Supporting less experienced team members with their consultation responses
• Provide advice to Local Planning Authorities on strategic planning consultations
• Provide pre-application advice to developers on drainage schemes
• Promote and deliver SuDS across Surrey County Council and Partners
• Carry out assessments of Ordinary Watercourse consent applications
• Investigate and answer customer flood risk enquiries

Over the next 12 months you will support the disaggregation of the Sustainable Drainage and Consenting's Team data and help prepare the team for Local Government Reorganisation.

Your Application

To be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Previous experience in a Lead Local Flood Authority statutory consultee role or technical design experience.
• Previous experience of actively engaging with planning consultants and other Risk Management Authorities.
• Evidence of data management experience and use of GIS.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV, and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

1. Describe your experience in providing Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) consultation responses to major development proposals.
2. Summarise your experience in administering or determining Ordinary Watercourse Consent applications.
3. Provide an example of how you have supported, mentored, or guided colleagues in a technical role.
4. Describe a situation where you had to communicate complex drainage or flood risk information to a range of stakeholders (e.g., developers, planners, elected members, or the public).

The role holder will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Amy Rodwell via email at amy.rodwell@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 27/07/2026 with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.