Flood Prevention and Coast Protection Engineer

Joanna Cubbage
Flood Prevention and Coast Protection Engineer
Carlton House
Stonehaven

What does your role involve?

I manage coast protection and flood prevention projects from inception to construction. This includes identifying problems, analysing the causes of flooding and coastal erosion and identifying potential solutions, budgeting the schemes, discussions regarding funding with Local Members, Committees and with the Scottish Executive, then arranging and supervising the chosen solution implemented on site. Good communication and consultation with the public is very important throughout this process.

What do you enjoy best about your role?

I enjoy this kind of engineering because it gives me the opportunity to work outside with people on site as well as doing the design and calculations in the office. I particularly enjoy working with the public and knowing that my work has a positive impact on the communities in Aberdeenshire.

Tell us about your background and experience

I graduated in 2000 from the University of Sheffield with a Masters degree in Civil and Structural Engineering. I then spent 4½ years with a major engineering consultancy in Leeds before moving up to Scotland to join Aberdeenshire Council in May 2005.

What makes you stay with Aberdeenshire Council?

Unlike corporate organisations, the driving force for work is addressing the issues of local people rather than financial gain. I find job satisfaction is a lot greater when working on projects with people who are directly affected by the schemes proposed.

Aberdeenshire Council offers great training opportunities, with particular support for engineers like me wishing to become professionally qualified. They also encourage their employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The working atmosphere is fairly relaxed and, unlike many corporate workplaces, here the opportunity is given to fully evaluate problems to ensure the optimum solution is found.

Working for the Council provides me with a good opportunity to develop my career and really understand how local government is organised. Despite popular belief, it is not all politics and ‘red tape’!