Highways And Planning Lawyer

The starting salary for this role is £50,047 per annum depending on experience and based on a 36-hour working week. This role is part of our Lawyers Career Scheme providing the opportunity to progress to £55,125 per annum.

At Surrey County Council, within the Highways and Planning legal team, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Solicitor or Lawyer. We are looking for a flexible and motivated colleague to join this friendly team. Our work is interesting and varied and we work for informed and appreciative client teams.

The Council adopts an agile working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes access to our offices in Reigate, Leatherhead and Weybridge combined with remote or home working. The team are very approachable, whether working remotely or in the office, so there will always be someone to provide you with support and discuss matters with. We aim to work with the team in one of our offices once or twice a week.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

The team sits alongside other teams in the County's Legal Services. It supports the work of the County as Highway Authority and Minerals and Waste Planning Authority and drafts relevant agreements and provides advice as well as assisting with reports to Committee and Cabinet, enforcement, DCO work, appeals, and related litigation. We also provide training for client teams.Our support of officers on enforcement directly benefits residents ensuring that obstruction, encroachment and Planning breaches are addressed effectively.

About the Role

As a Lawyer within the Highways and Planning legal team, you will conduct a number of Highways and Planning agreements, working in a committed and positive way, sometimes to tight deadlines. Other work includes advising on general Highways and Planning issues, local government matters and have conduct of any related appeals / litigation.

You will have the opportunity to join our Lawyers Career Scheme which will allow for accelerated career and salary progression based on performance. You will be supported through training, regular supervision and development plans to continue learning and developing your expertise and so achieve successful progression through the career scheme. Local Authority work involves a wide variety of daily challenges in new and interesting areas, but we will provide support for training to cover areas new to you.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• You are a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX, eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practicing certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority
• Demonstrate recent legal experience in the relevant areas of Highways and Planning law
• Experience of working with clients at all levels and have the ability to give clear, accurate and practical advice
• Effective team working
• Ability to negotiate a range of Highways and Planning legal agreements and be able to provide practical clear advice on a range of Highways and Planning matters
• Ability to take on urgent, and sometimes unfamiliar, matters at short notice
• Ability to manage competing priorities to achieve client deadlines

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 3rd June 2024 with interviews planned for 27th and 28th June 2024 at our Leatherhead office.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.