Drainage and Sustainable Water Management

Strong experience and understanding of surface water drainage, sustainable drainage systems, runoff calculations, discharge restrictions, attenuation, exceedance flows, water quality, and the wider water environment. You will be able to develop and appraise drainage strategies that respond to site constraints, regulatory requirements, climate change, and the principles of sustainable development.

Hydraulic Modelling and Flood Risk Data

Experience of interpreting hydraulic modelling outputs, flood maps, topographic information, drainage records, and other technical data. Experience of using or reviewing outputs from industry-standard software packages, such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoWorks ICM, MicroDrainage, or equivalent, would be beneficial.

Planning and Environmental Assessment

Experience supporting projects through the planning system, including the preparation of technical inputs for planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessments, Development Consent Orders, and other statutory or regulatory submissions. You will understand the relationship between flood risk, drainage, planning policy, environmental constraints, and development design.

Project Delivery and Quality Assurance

Ability to manage and deliver technical workstreams, coordinate inputs from project teams, monitor budgets and programmes, and ensure that project outputs are accurate, proportionate, and fit for purpose. You will be comfortable reviewing technical reports and providing constructive feedback to colleagues.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

Confident communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills. You will be able to present technical information clearly to clients, design teams, planning authorities, regulators, and other stakeholders, including audiences who may not have a technical background.

Teamwork, Mentoring, and Professional Growth

A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and support the development of junior colleagues. You will contribute to a positive team culture and help share good practice across the business.

Commercial Awareness and Business Development

Awareness of project budgets, scope management, and the commercial requirements of consultancy delivery. You will contribute to fee proposals, tender submissions, client presentations, business development activities, and the development of long-term client relationships.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

You will have substantial experience in flood risk assessment, drainage, sustainable water management, or a related environmental consultancy discipline, preferably gained within a UK planning, development, or infrastructure context.

You will be expected to have a strong working knowledge of UK flood risk management policy, planning guidance, drainage requirements, and the roles and responsibilities of relevant authorities and regulators. Experience of working with the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities, planning authorities, and water companies would be advantageous.

Experience should include the preparation and technical review of Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies, and supporting planning documentation. You should be able to assess flood risk from multiple sources, understand the implications of climate change, and advise on suitable mitigation, drainage, and resilience measures.

A good understanding of sustainable drainage principles and their application to development proposals is essential. Experience of drainage design, hydraulic modelling, surface water management, flood alleviation, natural flood management, or water quality assessment would be beneficial.

You will have experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary project team and managing your own workload across several projects. Experience of coordinating technical inputs, supervising junior staff, and reviewing work for quality and accuracy is expected.

Excellent report writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills are essential. You will be confident engaging with clients and external stakeholders, responding to technical queries, and explaining complex issues in a clear and proportionate manner.

Experience of major development, regeneration, residential, commercial, energy, transport, or infrastructure projects would be beneficial. Knowledge of Environmental Impact Assessment, Development Consent Orders, planning appeals, strategic flood risk assessment, or statutory consultation processes would also be advantageous.

A degree in a relevant discipline and Chartered or working towards Chartered status with CIWEM or another relevant professional body would be advantageous. A full UK driving licence and the ability to travel to project sites, client offices, and meetings are required. Eligibility for security clearance may be advantageous, depending on the project portfolio.

Working Environment

This role will ideally be based in Bristol, Leeds, London, or Manchester, although other UK locations may be considered. Hybrid working is supported, with a balance of home, office, and project-based working.

Projects will be located across the UK, so occasional travel to client meetings, project sites, planning meetings, site inspections, and team meetings will be required. The role may also require flexibility in working hours to support project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and key submission deadlines.

What We Offer

You will join a supportive and collaborative team working on a varied portfolio of technically challenging and commercially important projects. The role provides opportunities to develop your technical expertise, take increasing responsibility for project delivery, support junior colleagues, and contribute to the continued growth of the Flood Risk and Sustainable Water Management practice.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.