Senior Lawyer (Planning and Conveyancing Team) (Ref 4894)
- Multiple Locations
- Full Time
- £46,549 - £50,603 per annum
We are recruiting a Senior Lawyer to join our Property and Planning Teams.
Our Property and Planning teams require an experienced planning lawyer to support the planning work of both teams. Life can be fast paced in these teams, and the work is interesting and varied. You could be on your feet seeking a planning enforcement order from the Magistrates Court, assisting Counsel with a high profile planning judicial review or advising members on a quarry application at committee. In addition you will be involved with drafting highway and s106 agreements. Not to mention providing invaluable support to the land charges team on matters such as commons and towns and village greens applications.
No two days are ever the same in these unique, friendly, hardworking and dynamic teams. No matter how long you have been in local government, with our teams you will still encounter novel situations! In addition to supporting Devon County Council, you will also support two National Park authorities.
If you have a desire to give something back to the community and to protect our special landscapes, Devon County Council could be the place for you.
In this unique role you will manage a varied caseload including planning and enforcement advice, planning committee attendance and governance support, preparing planning and highway agreements and advising on various aspects of highway and planning law. You will also be expected to offer some supervision to junior members of the teams, which is such a rewarding part of the role.
We are looking for an individual with excellent written and verbal skills who has substantial experience of planning law. You must be willing to learn new areas of law to be able to provide fast paced legal advice on a range of topics. Previous Local Government experience is desirable but not essential, however you must demonstrate that you have a keen interest in working in the public sector.
As for the teams, we work together, problem solve, and share expertise, knowledge and experience so that every team member can thrive. Regular team meetings promote continual development and a strong sense of belonging. Everyone is supported to achieve their full potential.
Alongside remote working, there is an expectation that the postholder will attend committee meetings and Court hearings as required, including as advocate. We anticipate this being approximately 1-2 times per month. In addition, it may be necessary to attend team meetings in person and for matters such as the preparation of Court bundles and engrossment documents to be dealt with in the office.
Why work with us?
You'll be working for an authority in one of the most beautiful parts of country and we want you to have time to enjoy it. That’s why we offer part agile working and flexible start and finish times (subject to Court appearances and attendance at County Hall as set out above) so you can balance work with the things that really matter. We also offer 26 days paid annual leave (rising incrementally to 33 days based on length of service), and the office closes between Christmas and New Year, and on Bank Holidays. In addition, we offer a generous Local Government Pension Scheme and access to a discounts scheme.
To find out more about legal services at Devon please see https://new.devon.gov.uk/workingfordevon/work-in/professional-and-support-roles/legal-services/
Closing Date
5th June 2023
Interview date
Week commencing 12th June 2023
For an informal discussion please contact Megan Cross on 01392 383000
(Prospective applicants only please, no advertisers)
Please click Apply Now to see the Job Description.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.