Leicestershire County Council has an opportunity for an ambitious lawyer with several years post qualification experience in planning and highway law including experience of attending planning committees to join a positive and friendly team of in-house lawyers within Leicestershire County Council. The successful applicant will provide legal advice and representation to the County Council on a broad spectrum of planning and highway matters working with developers and other partners.
Applications are welcome from candidates with either a public or private sector background and the ideal candidate should be enthusiastic, motivated individual and possess good communication skills.
This vacancy is in the Environment and Property team which comprises a mix of professional and support staff. Members of the team enjoy a highly supportive working environment as well as a genuine work/life balance.
About the Role
To be a planning and highways specialist assisting in the provision of an efficient and effective in house legal service to the County Council and in particular to the County Council’s planning, highways and environment, and related functions within the responsibility of the Director of Environment and Transport.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
* Professional qualification as an admitted Solicitor, Barrister entitled to practice, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives or Associate or Graduate Member working towards admission as a Fellow.
* Demonstrable recent experience (2 years) of dealing with legal work in the following areas in the areas of planning and highway law to include: Attendance as Legal Representative at Planning Committees. Drafting and negotiating and advising upon S106 planning agreements and highway infrastructure agreements. Advisory work at senior level in relation to both planning and highway enforcement matters. Advocacy at tribunals and hearings.
* Confident and comfortable in the conduct of complex and fast moving negotiations in relation to all aspects of planning and highways matters. Able to use IT applications including a computerised case management and legal research and time recording systems.
* Up to date legal knowledge to include Planning and Highways legislation.
* Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with members, colleagues, customers and internal and external stakeholders and to persuade and influence an appropriate outcome.
* Ability to research and assimilate information rapidly and present effective client focused solutions and appropriate advice and guidance in a timely manner. Able to work accurately under pressure with minimum supervision to achieve objectives and deadlines.
* To be a team player. To be personable and generate confidence. Possession of a current driving licence and access to a vehicle. Reasonable adjustment will be considered for an applicant with a disability.
You must also have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact:
Katy Jobanputra, Team Leader
Telephone: 0116 305 6055
To contact me by email please click here
Katy.Jobanputra@leics.gov.uk