Who do you work for and what is your role? I work for the Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Team at the Environment Agency. There are several teams within FCRM; I am based in the Asset Systems Management Team.  My role is varied, and includes assisting in the delivery of major flood alleviation schemes, investigation, design, and management of small improvement works, monitoring the condition of existing asset and agreeing maintenance programmes. There is also a reactive side to my job, this involves assisting in the response to flood events, which for me means  being out on site  as a site controller, liaising with the public and emergency services, undertaking emergency works during flooding and then identifying the need for defence repairs and river channel works.

What is a typical day for you? My day to day job is to assist in the Environment Agency’ aim to ‘Create a Better Place’.  This is measured by set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and I assist in achieving these KPIs with various  forms of work. The work I have been involved in this year has included managing the systems that I have been allocated, with these systems being classified as high, medium or low risk. This risk classification is derived by calculating flood risk to properties, likelihood of flooding and consequence if there is failure of flood defences.  Managing removal of gravel from the river channel is a role I undertake annually. This gravel removal work involves obtaining cross-sections, geomorphological assessment to determine how much gravel is required to be removed to improve conveyance and sustain ecological conditions.  The reason for all the analysis of the gravel is that the removal is often on highly designated rivers including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).  Following the November 2009 floods 15,000 tonnes of gravel was removed from the River Derwent, adjacent to Gote Bridge, Cockermouth.  Other roles include running construction projects and managing budgets for specific jobs.  I have been involved with various construction projects (capital and revenue) including Carlisle’s Eden and Petteril Scheme, a £12 million flood alleviation scheme.  Some of the smaller projects  have included designing, managing budgets, appointing a contractor and overseeing  construction work. These works have included gauging stations, flood walls, a surface water drain, and bank repairs. I am also an accredited Asset Inspector, which requires me to visits flood defence assets to make visual inspections and decide if they are operating as designed and looking for faults. This process then generates work to deliver repairs and possible replacement of assets.

Why did you become a civil engineer? I have always had an interest in construction which first began when I was young and was able to see various plant on a construction site near my primary school.  I was unsure whether to go to university or apply for jobs, when I came across an advert for the Environment Agency’s Trainee programme, undertaking and achieving a River and Coastal Engineering Foundation Degree. This programme involved block release to university, online learning, and on the job training. The combination of work and study was intense as I was a full time student and also had work to complete, but it allowed me to apply what I was learning at university and continue my development.  I started the 2 year programme in September 2004 and in January 2005 the Cumbria floods struck.  After the event, I was involved with data collection which involved a lot of liaison with flood victims, and this experience made me want to be involved in projects that could improve the standard of protection delivered to people and make a difference to their lives.

Since completion of the Foundation Degree I successfully applied for a permanent job which I was in for 18 months, then applied for a promotion to a higher graded engineers post, for which I was successful. Each new job I have had has let me have more responsibility which has increased my involvement in the delivery of projects.

My drive to deliver projects to improve people’s standard of living has further been implemented following another extreme flooding  event in November 2009.  

What is your greatest achievement to date? I think the work on the Carlisle Scheme is a very proud moment of my short career so far. My role was on-site client engineer where I was supervising works, setting out, studying method statements, undertaking site inductions, checking construction drawings, and all other issues which arise from a construction project. The on-site work was an invaluable learning experience, including seeing innovative constructive techniques such as Pali Radice Piling (root piles). The experience dealing with contactors, local residents and other stakeholders helped me gain confidence. The scheme was done in my home town of Carlisle and seeing the difference it has made to the area as a tangible outcome has achieved something I am proud of.

Are you actively involved with the ICE? I have attended various ICE talks some of which I have been involved in the organising.  Having recently completed my Eng Tech, I am now helping others complete theirs and agreed to be a sponsor and assisting them with there documentation.

What do you feel being a member of the ICE has given you? Completing my Professional Review has made me feel as though I have achieved, and am able to demonstrate, some good engineering experience already in my short career to date, and the Eng Tech highlights this fact. It has also given me the desire to further my professional accreditations. 

Would you say that your ICE membership has helped you in the development of your career? At the Environment Agency we have an ‘Individual Performance Plan’ which we have to work towards  to achieve each year, and at the end of the year this plan forms the basis of your appraisal.  One of my objectives was to gain my Eng Tech through the ICE. This not only shows the importance to me to achieve the Eng Tech but also emphasises the importance my employer puts on professional development.

What are your aspirations for the future? My plans for the future are to continue my professional development as I have genuine interest in both the natural and built environment, and my role at the Environment Agency lets me explore both these avenues.  I would like to continue my career at the Environment Agency delivering flood alleviation schemes and contributing to our aim of ‘Creating a Better Place.