Legal Officer - Req24749

Job title:          Legal Officer

Salary:             £17,705 (this is pro rata to reflect the part time hours)

Hours:              22 per week

Contract:         permanent

Location:         Civic Hall

Legal Officer to be part of the General Property Team in Legal Services to provide high quality legal work on matters relating to right to buy property sales, residential property acquisitions and other property transactions and providing general property legal advice.

Leeds City Council is an award winning and progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city.

Leeds City Council is looking to recruit a part time Legal Officer for a fixed term job share within its Legal Services department.  The post holder will be required to carry out work within the General Property team, covering right to buy sales, residential property acquisitions, other property transaction matters and providing legal advice on general property matters.  As well as being able to offer outstanding work, Legal Services can offer exceptional support and resources.  Legal Services is Lexel accredited.

The successful candidates will need to have 2 A levels (A-C) or a Paralegal qualification (E.g. Affiliate member of CILEX -includes completion of 5 CILEX level 3 units) or equivalent qualification, or four GCSEs (Grade A-C) or equivalent including Maths and English or appropriate alternative qualifications - for example level 3 NVQ in Administration.  The successful candidate will also need to demonstrate at least 12 months' experience of working in a legal environment within the last 5 years.

It is also essential that the successful candidate has good interpersonal skills, can prioritise their own workload and work to tight deadlines. They must be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic, and committed.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Gregg Shevill, Team Leader – General Property.  Call 0113 37 89141 or email gregg.shevill@leeds.gov.uk.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
 
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
 

Job description

Job purpose

To assist in the carrying out of legal and administrative work in relation to any of the functions and services of the Council.

The post is currently located within the General Property Team, but the post-holder could in the future be asked to work within, or provide assistance to, other teams in Legal Services.

Responsibilities 

• To undertake a personal workload of matters in relation to the following
• Right to Buy disposals (freehold and leasehold)
• Right to Buy, leasehold and estate management related enquiries, including boundary and neighbour disputes and leasehold covenant and service charge issues.
• Licences, tenancies, wayleaves and agreements for statutory undertakers' services
• Highways agreements
• Minor property transactions, such as sales of garden land, easements, releases/variations of covenants etc
• Enquiries from client departments, councillors, external solicitors and members of the public
• Secured lending work, including home improvement loans
• Residential conveyancing, including purchases and sales,-and including off-plan purchases from developers and acquisitions of properties in redevelopment areas.
• Service occupancy agreements
• Discharges of mortgages and secured loans on residential properties
• Undertaking a limited degree of legal and related research
• To participate in Section Meetings, Line Manager Meetings, and to initiate and arrange for appropriate action in relation to matters arising at those meetings.
• To contribute to initiatives within the Team, Section and Directorate generally.
• To participate in the development of team working, and in this respect to assist with giving advice, guidance and instructions on legal and related matters to members of the Team.
• To deliver and receive such training as is required.
• To carry out such other duties as may be required from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade for the post.
• To abide by the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
• To be willing to take personal responsibility under, and abide by, the Council's Health & Safety Policy.

To perform all functions  and duties effectively and in accordance  with:

• The Council's Constitution
• The Council's Policies and Codes of Practice
• The Directorate's Standards, Objectives, Targets and Timescales
• The Directorate's Quality Procedures
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

• 2 A levels (A-C) or paralegal qualification (e.g. affiliate member of CILEX with 5 level 3 units) or equivalent qualification;
• OR  4 GCSEs (grade A-C) or equivalent including Maths and English or appropriate alternative qualifications - for example level 3 NVQ in Administration;
• AND the applicant can demonstrate they have experience of working in a legal environment (12 months experience in the past 5 years).

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Ability to prioritise and organise your workload.
• Ability to work within time constraints.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to relate effectively to people at different levels inside and outside the council.
• Possess or have an ability to develop IT skills.
• Ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
• To draft and prepare clear and concise documents, reports, letters and memoranda.
• Liaise with all levels of the Council and other organisations.
• General Understanding of Right to Buy procedures pursuant to Housing Act 1985 (Part V) and General Understanding of residential conveyancing procedures.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• A basic knowledge of general office procedures and practice
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems and Best Value
• Experience of dealing with Right to Buy disposals within a legal environment
• Experience of dealing with residential conveyancing matters
• Experience of dealing with secured lending on residential property
• Experience of dealing with Section 38 Highways Agreements.
• Experience of working with Quality Management Systems.
• Experience of working as an effective member of a team.