Job Description

TECHNICAL OFFICER

Location: Rye, East Sussex.

Remuneration: Competitive and benchmarked against the Association of Drainage Authorities Lincolnshire Branch Wages and Conditions Industry Standard, aligned with our Grades 6-7.

Contract: Permanent

About us

The Romney Marshes Area Internal Drainage Board is a local independent public authority responsible for managing water levels in the lowlands of Kent & East Sussex where there is a special drainage need. We maintain a general supervision over all land drainage matters in a district spanning 33,000 hectares of predominantly agricultural land punctuated with urban areas of varying sizes and connecting infrastructure. Our annual maintenance of 350km of adopted watercourses and operation of over 100 water level control structures ensure that the districts flood risk management and water provisioning needs are met. Whilst our function is water level management, we have duties to conserve and enhance nature both through our maintenance operations and through the application of our permissive powers during the watercourse consenting process. We are funded by the agricultural drainage rate paid by land occupiers and by the special levies that are collected on our behalf by the three district and borough councils that comprise our Internal Drainage District.

The Role

We are seeking a motivated, pragmatic and skilled Technical Officer to play a key role in the delivery of these important functions.

Reporting to the Clerk/Engineer the Technical Officer will assist primarily on engineering and environmental management matters and provide technical and administrative expertise, and support to the Board's small team as required.

This is an interesting and varied role requiring regular liaison with Board Members, contractors, partner agencies, ratepayers, and members of the public.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Monitor and document the Board's operations across the drainage district to ensure delivery of Board standards, and compliance with all relevant legislation and best practice methods. Liaise effectively and respectfully with stakeholders including but not limited to ratepayers, delivery partners, external bodies, contractors, consultants, developers and the public. Liaise with local planning authorities, councils, developers and homeowners to ensure that all proposed development complies with the Board's permissive regulatory powers and is compatible with the Board's Biodiversity Action Plan objectives by providing steer to the planning process, and through the Board's watercourse consenting process. Support the Clerk/Engineer at Main Board and Committee meetings, preparing reports, delivering presentations and recording minutes as required. Maintain and update spatial databases (GIS). Undertake land survey using optical and GNSS instruments. Assist field team members during extreme weather events, incident responses, unplanned events and any other circumstances for which help is required.

Do you have the attributes, skills, and experience we are looking for?

Passion, positivity, patience, pragmatism, discretion and assertiveness. Proven ability to work safely and effectively alone and as part of a cohesive team whether indoors or out, in fair weather and foul. Good interpersonal, communication, administrative, and organisational skills, with the ability to deliver to agreed timescales and deadlines. Excellent IT skills. Data gathering, recording and processing skills. Research and report writing. An understanding of the land-based industries, drainage, the principles of engineering and environmental management best practices. Ability to read and understand technical drawings and texts, codes, standards and legislation. Experience of working with, or for an Internal Drainage Board, the Environment Agency, local authority, utilities provider, or in the engineering sector.
The successful applicant will hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle suitable for business use. You will need to maintain, insure, and provide your own vehicle for work use; an Essential Car Allowance is payable, and business mileage can be claimed.

A minimum Level 4/5 NVQ or HNC/HND qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline is required.

The role is mainly office based though this will fluctuate according to season and prevailing weather conditions. Regular attendance required at site meetings, for asset inspections, operations monitoring and occasionally at short notice during emergency and extreme weather events. For this reason, the postholder should live within reasonable travelling distance of the office.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to join a small but passionate and highly motivated team that is evolving to meet the challenges of changing land use, changes to local administration and governance, and a changing climate. We are proud of our unique heritage as the oldest land drainage authority in England and keen to uphold the standards established by our forefathers.

Working for this organisation is less about managing a landscape but more about becoming part of it as both organisation and landscape are inextricably linked.

This organisation can provide a rewarding and interesting career for somebody who is passionate about protecting communities, land and habitats from flooding and drought alike. We value long service and offer a supportive working environment, competitive pay, opportunities for further progression and pension scheme participation.

How to apply

Please apply by email with a covering letter and CV to

recruitment@rmaidb.co.uk

, FAO Mr D Lovejoy, Chairman to the Board, Romney Marshes Area Internal Drainage Board.

Closing date for applications: 25th January 2026.

ROMNEY MARSHES AREA INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD is an equal-opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and experienced candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Romney Marshes Area Internal Drainage Board, Suite 7, Old Barn Offices, Salts Farm, East Guldeford, Rye TN31 7PA.

JOB DESCRIPTON

The Technical Officer manages day-to-day technical matters on behalf of the Board, in close liaison with the Clerk/Engineer and other staff; processing all applications for the Board's Consent (under the Land Drainage Act and IDB Byelaws) including enforcement matters; liaising with Local Planning Authorities in respect of development proposals. The Technical Officer reports to the Clerk/Engineer.

Main duties, tasks and responsibilities:

1. Liaison with local planning authorities to ensure that development proposals do not adversely affect the Board's district or interests.

2. Processing applications for the Board's Consent, under Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act or the Board's own Byelaws, including recommending approval/refusal and suitable conditions and inspecting consent works.

3. Investigating and reporting/enforcing breaches of Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act and/or the Board's own Byelaws.

4. Processing enforcements in close liaison with the Clerk/Engineer.

5. Working with partnership organisations to promote/protect IDB interests.

6. Representing the Board at meetings and in discussion with other bodies e.g. stakeholder liaison and engagement.

7. Supervision of the workforce and contractors when required.

8. Liaising with and providing adviceto landowners and members of the public on all matters related to land drainage, flood risk management and biodiversity, in close liaison with the Clerk/Engineer.

9. Undertaking surveys, site investigation and inspections, preparation of drawings and quantities. Setting out of works.

10. Ensuring that Health and Safety requirements and procedures are observed on all sites.

11. Specification and preparation of requisitions for materials and services required for works.

12. Working to ensure that the Board's biodiversity objectives are considered in all operational activities.

13. Assistance in times of tidal or fluvial flooding.

14. Inspection, reporting and supervision of repairs to tidal or fluvial damage.

15. Assistance in the investigation and answering of complaints and enquiries.

16. Assistance in preparing progress reports, dealing with correspondence and contract documents.

17. Assistance in the preparation of systems and cost records for maintenance and improvement works.

18. Researching information for reports and technical records.

19. Maintaining and updating information on the Board's GIS and IT systems.

20. Assisting in the preparation of annual returns and consultation responses.

21. Maintaining and updating information on the Board's website.

22. Assisting in the preparation of estimates and working with the Clerk/Engineer with the identification of grant funding and subsequent delivery of such works.

23. Deputising for the Clerk/Engineer as required.

24. Undertaking any other reasonable duties as may from time to time be assigned.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 40,404.00-49,512.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension
Work Location: In person