Independent Members of Regional Flood and Coastal Committees Environment Agency

Independent Members of Regional Flood and Coastal Committees

Environment Agency

Various locations throughout England

Join the voluntary committees that help us reduce the risk of floods and coastal erosion

The work of the Environment Agency is vitally important to everyone in England. From air and water quality to conservation and ecology, we’re responsible for protecting wildlife and creating better places in which to live. And as you’ll know from news reports about record breaking weather events and natural disasters, climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our planet. We know that climate change causes rising sea levels and more intense storms, and this increases the risks of flooding and coastal change.

We’re currently looking for new independent members to join our Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCC) around the country. RFCCs are independent bodies that play a vital role in reducing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. They represent the views of local communities in how we manage flooding and coastal erosion, and help make the country more resilient and adaptable to the challenges of a changing climate. They also approve the work that protect homes and livelihoods, and help create the local partnerships that pay for, build and manage the projects in our programmes.

These are voluntary, unpaid roles, but you’ll have an opportunity to get involved with issues that really matter in your area, gain new skills and experiences, and build your network while making a real difference to people’s lives, livelihoods and the environment we live in.

It’s vital that RFCC committees represent the diversity of the communities we work with – with this in mind, we welcome applications from talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds. You don’t usually need formal qualifications for these roles, though an interest in certain specialities can help. It’s your enthusiasm and commitment to your local community that is most important.

We cover reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and time off work. You’ll need to be able to join four meetings a year and prepare by reading papers in advance. You’ll benefit from a full induction and the chance to visit flood schemes in your region. You should ideally live or work in the RFCC area you are applying for – these are Anglian Eastern, Anglian Great Ouse, North West, Northumbria, South West, Southern, Thames, Trent, Wessex and Yorkshire.

You can hear more about how important these roles are in this short video and our candidate pack explains more about being an RFCC member, and includes an online application form.