Position: Solicitor and Monitoring Officer (Part Time 22.5 hours per week)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade K £62,963 per annum (pro rata)
Location: Headquarters
Hours: 22.5 hours per week, however you may occasionally need to work beyond normal office hours. Work pattern to include Wednesday and Thursday as essential core days with the third day to be discussed with the successful candidate. Agile working arrangements can also be discussed with the successful candidate.
Department: Legal & Governance Portfolio
Reports to: Director of Corporate Services
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 26 October 2025
About Us:
At Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, we’re more than an emergency servicewe’re a team of over 900 dedicated people working together to make Derbyshire safer every day. Whether it’s responding to emergencies, preventing incidents before they happen, or supporting our frontline teams behind the scenes, every role here makes a real difference.
We’re proud to be one of the country’s top-performing fire and rescue services, recently rated ‘Good’ in 9 out of 11 areas by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). This recognition reflects the professionalism, progress, and dedication of our people. We continue to strive to be an outstanding Service and we know we have more to do.
About the Role:
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Solicitor to join our Legal & Governance team as Monitoring Officer. This is a part-time position, working 22.5 hours per week, offering an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact within a forward-thinking public sector organisation.
As Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, you will:
Act as Monitoring Officer to the Fire and Rescue Authority, ensuring compliance with statutory legislation and internal policies.
Provide expert legal advice on employment law, governance, and other local government matters.
Lead and manage the Legal & Governance Services, including committee administration and corporate governance.
Support the Service’s Data Protection Officer as Deputy, ensuring robust data protection compliance.
Advise Elected Members and senior officers and represent the Service in legal proceedings as required.
Promote high standards of probity, ethics, equality, diversity, and inclusion across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities:
Deliver legal and procedural advice on a wide range of matters.
Prepare and present cases in courts and tribunals.
Lead and develop the Legal & Governance team.
Oversee committee services and ensure effective governance.
Support investigations into ethical standards and member conduct.
Horizon scan and interpret relevant legislation, preparing reports on legal impacts.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
To be successful in this role, you will bring the following qualifications and experience:
Qualified lawyer with rights to practise in England and Wales.
Evidence of compliance with continuous professional development requirements of professional body.
Experience in employment law, local government, and advocacy.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Ability to work flexibly and travel as required (a pool car will be provided).
Why Join Us?
You’ll be part of a dedicated team making Derbyshire safer together, with opportunities for professional development and the chance to shape the future of our Service.
Please see the attached Job Description/ Person Specification for more information about this exciting role.
What We Offer in Return:
We believe in rewarding our people with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:
Flexible working hours.
Agile working (60% office based).
Family friendly policies.
Annual Leave entitlement of 28 days, increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service.
Free, secure on-site car parking.
Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.
Employee discount scheme (Boost) and eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card.
Employee support networks.
Enhanced Maternity Pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).
Occupational Sick Pay subject to length of service, increasing up to 6 months’ full & 6 months’ half after 5 years’ service.
Ongoing training and development opportunities.
Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
Eligibility to join Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) offering highly beneficial tax advantages.
Guidance on the Pension implications of taking a promotion are attached.
How to Apply:
We are a Disability Confident employer committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.
The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Sunday 26 October 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday 14 November 2025.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Service Centre via email at service_centre@derbys-fire.gov.uk.
If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441.