Vacancies
Current employment opportunities
At current, the Board has the following opportunities:
- Environmental Officer (Closed 31/05/2026)
- GIS Technician (Closed 31/05/2026)
- Catchment Engineer (Sustainable Development / Flood Risk Management, Closed 31/05/2026)
For more information, please see below.
Environmental Officer
Permanent | £30,000 – £35,000 + Car Allowance & Excellent Benefits
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Environment Team at the Water Management Alliance (WMA)— a group of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) responsible for managing flood risk and land drainage across the region.
The role is based in Stewartby, Bedfordshire and will primarily support the Upper Ouse Water Management Board (a WMA Member IDB). Some travel may be required across the wider WMA catchments (predominantly to Norfolk, Suffolk and South Lincolnshire) including to the WMA’s Head Office in King’s Lynn.
Salary & Benefits
- £30,000 – £35,000 (dependent on experience)
- Car allowance
- Local Government Pension Scheme
About the Role
As an Environmental Officer, you’ll play a key role in ensuring that WMA’s activities protect and enhance the natural environment, specifically focusing on the Upper Ouse Water Management Board in Bedfordshire.
Working closely with Operational and Technical (Catchment) Services, you will work with the WMA’s Environmental Manager to provide ecological advice to support the daily activities of the Boards such as watercourse maintenance and water level management activities. You will also lead on projects identified within the Board’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
The role focuses primarily on proactive engagement with the operations teams, both prior to and during delivery watercourse maintenance and small to medium-scale watercourse improvement projects, including:
- Culvert replacements
- Watercourse restorations
- Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes
You will ensure works and projects:
- Prevent environmental harm
- Minimise ecological disturbance
- Enhance biodiversity wherever possible
About You
You will typically have:
- At least two years’ relevant experience in an ecological or environmental role
- Experience undertaking a range of ecological surveys and assessments, such as:
- Habitat and species surveys
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
- Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments
- Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs)
Experience working with or alongside public authorities, infrastructure projects, or water management schemes would be advantageous.
Further Information
A detailed job pack, including the full job description and person specification can be found here.
How to Apply
To apply please submit your CV and covering letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate to caroline.laburn@wlma.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of applications is noon on 31 May 2026.
For an informal discussion about the WMA and this position please contact Caroline Laburn (Environmental Manager) on 01553 819600.
We look forward to receiving your application.
GIS Technician
Permanent | £28,000 – £35,000 + Car Allowance & Excellent Benefits
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at the Water Management Alliance (WMA)— a group of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) responsible for managing flood risk and land drainage across the region.
The role is based in Stewartby, Bedfordshire and will primarily support the Upper Ouse Water Management Board (a WMA Member IDB).
Salary & Benefits
- £28,000 – £35,000 (dependent on experience)
- Car allowance
- Local Government Pension Scheme
About the Role
As a GIS Technician, you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of the Board’s objectives. You will be responsible for the precise management and storage of spatial data, ensuring that information flows seamlessly between teams to aid the effective running of the Board.
Working closely with Operational and Technical (Catchment) Services, you will be the point of contact for geographical information, helping to translate complex data into actionable insights for flood risk and land drainage management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Data Management & Digitisation: You will digitise rating polygons, IDB assets, and drainage infrastructure, linking spatial data to relational databases (such as maintenance job cards) to ensure our records are accurate and up to date.
- System Development: You will manage and develop our online mapping systems using ESRI ArcGIS Online, supporting dynamic mobile working for our teams in the field.
- Information Support: Beyond mapping, you will support internal information networks, upload data sets to the group’s intranet, and help develop dynamic forms and website content.
- Compliance & Enquiries: You will assist in managing data requests (GDPR/FOI) and liaise with third parties such as DEFRA and the Environment Agency to supply essential electronic information.
What we are looking for:
We are seeking a methodical individual with a keen eye for detail. You should have experience working with geospatial databases and office-based software (Microsoft Access, Excel). Ideally, you will be familiar with Arc-View GIS or AutoCAD, and while not essential, knowledge of Python or JavaScript would be a distinct advantage. As you will be supporting multiple member boards, the ability to prioritise workloads and communicate technical information clearly is essential.
Further Information
A detailed job pack, including the full job description and person specification can be found here.
How to Apply
To apply please submit your CV and covering letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate to Phillip.lovesey@idbs.org.uk
The closing date for receipt of applications is noon on 31 May 2026.
For an informal discussion about the WMA / UOWMB and this position please contact Phillip Lovesey (Area Manager) on 01234 767995.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Catchment Engineer
(Sustainable Development / Flood Risk Management)
Permanent | £55,000 - £65,000 + Car Allowance & Excellent Benefits
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at the Upper Ouse Water Management Board based in Stewartby, Bedfordshire.
Salary & Benefits
- £55,000 - £65,000 (dependent on experience)
- Car Allowance
- Local Government Pension Scheme
About the Role
The role is focused on leading proactive engagement with new development and third-party works within the Board’s catchment at a variety of scales, including major developments such as urban expansions, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and Universal Studios.
The aim of the role is to ensure that new development does not increase flood risk, primarily through the following objectives:
- Use the Board’s regulatory functions (as per the Land Drainage Act 1991, including Byelaws) to effectively manage / meaningfully engage with new works or developments at a variety of scales.
- Work closely with the Board’s partner organisations (notably Lead Local Flood Authorities and Planning Authorities) to promote best practice, partnership working and ultimately reduce the impact of works / development on flood risk locally.
The post holder will be encouraged to think strategically and innovatively to achieve this core aim.
About us
The Water Management Alliance (WMA) is a group of like-minded Internal Drainage Boards (“IDBs”) who share vision, values and standards, and have chosen to jointly administer their affairs in order to reduce costs, strengthen their own organisations and increase influence at both a national and regional level.
The Upper Ouse Water Management Board is a newly constituted IDB (April 2026) further to the amalgamation of three pre-existing Boards who have worked together since 2001 from their shared base in Stewartby, Bedfordshire. Further to several successful years of partnership working, the Board is in the process of joining the Water Management Alliance (WMA) in 2026.
Internal Drainage Boards (“IDBs”) are local public authorities that manage flood risk and land drainage within areas of special drainage need in England. Each IDB has permissive powers to undertake water management activities within their Internal Drainage District. The purpose of delivering this work is to reduce flood risk to people and property and to manage water in a way that meets the local needs of business and agriculture, including during times of drought, whilst also dealing with its obligations and commitments to the environment. IDBs exercise a general power of supervision over all matters relating to water level management within their district whilst conducting their work in accordance with a number of general environmental duties and promoting the ecological wellbeing of their districts.
About You
You will typically have:
- A minimum of five years experience working in a senior technical role within the Water Management Industry or an engineering based role in a related field.
- Creative problem solving skills with an ability to identify areas for development and improvement.
- Please see the Job Description for further information.
Further Information and How to Apply
A detailed job pack, including the full job description and person specification, is available here.
To apply please submit your CV and covering letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate to cathryn.brady@wlma.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of applications is noon on 31 May 2026.
For an informal discussion about the WMA and this position please contact Cathryn Brady (Head of Catchment Services) on 01553 819600.
We look forward to receiving your application.
We are always looking for people to join our teams and although current career opportunities are shown below, we want to hear from anyone looking for new challenges with any of the following skills at ANY time!
- Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering Graduates looking for their first role OR with post graduate experience with an engineering consultancy or contracting background
- Experienced project managers with PRINCE qualifications or similar.
- Ecologists, environmental science graduates or those with a passion for rivers.
- Machine operators, tractor drivers, flail operators.
Even if you don’t meet any of the criteria above, if you like the sound of the UOWMB as a place to work get in contact! contact@idbs.org.uk
Career Opportunities
Working for us
If you choose to work for the UOWMB, you will be joining an organisation which is striving to provide employees with a positive employment experience. Whether you work for us as an operative or as a member of the senior management team, there will be a considerable variety of challenges in your diverse workload, and you will be offered real opportunities for career development. All staff have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, as well as a number of other benefits.
Passionate about Drainage and Water Level Management
The UOWMB and its Member Boards have a low staff turnover, testament to our culture and working environment. If you are offered a position, you will get to work alongside and influence a number of professional and committed people, passionate about Drainage, Water Level Management and Local Democracy.
Equal opportunities
We want our workforce to reflect the make-up of the communities we serve. Therefore, we welcome all applications irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, religion, belief, sexual orientation, age or disability. We consider ourselves to be a family friendly employer and offer flexible working patterns. All staff are expected to observe the Employees Code of Conduct.