The Role
Post: Lawyer (Employment and General Litigation)
Salary: £47,384 per annum
Grade: FRS F
Salary range: £47,384 - £61,529 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: Tuesday 13 September 2022 at 16:00 GMT
London Fire Brigade is London’s Fire and rescue service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city. Employing over 5000 people across our operational team (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer 999 calls), fire safety and our non-operational team (our team who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services, including IT, Finance, Procurement, General Counsel’s Department and Communications team).
An opportunity has arisen at the London Fire Brigade to join General Counsel’s Department as an employment lawyer. General Counsel’s Department consists of circa. 30 staff providing cost effective legal advice and representation to the Brigade on a wide range of practice areas including employment law, pensions, fire prosecutions, personal injury, property, contracts and procurement. It also provides advice on the decision-making processes and the powers and duties of the London Fire Commissioner (LFC). Each area of work has a Team Manager, a group of lawyers, paralegals and business support officers to assist with day to day work.
We are a small team who supports the LFC and in this key role, you will need to have the ability to organise and manage a complex and heavy case-load independently, analyse information critically, provide effective written and oral advice, work with a variety of colleagues and other stakeholders in a publicly accountable environment and to embody our Delivery Plan. It is important that you have the aptitude, ambition and potential to thrive in this environment.
We are looking for an experienced specialist employment lawyer with a “can-do” attitude, preferably with some pensions and general civil litigation experience who enjoys a fast-paced environment and working as part of a team. In-house experience in a public sector setting is desirable, but not essential. You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer in England and Wales who has completed a training contract, pupillage (or has been exempted from this by the Law Society or Bar Council) or has qualified through the CILEx route. Being highly organised, used to working electronically with minimum supervision and the ability to meet tight deadlines are crucial for this role. You should also bring sound judgement and analytical skills. We would welcome applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates.
Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/alljobs/ to access the full advert.
To apply, please complete the online application, provide a cover letter clearly outlining the relevant experience, skills and knowledge you have to successfully perform this role (see the highlighted areas on job description below) and upload a copy of your up-to-date CV. Please note that we will review and score the cover letter based against the competencies highlighted on Job Description.
Benefits of working for LFB
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Option Absence Scheme (which can result in an additional 12 days annual leave for staff at this grade)
• Flexible working including job share
• Welfare Scheme
• Use of Brigade Medical Adviser/physios
• Season ticket loans
• Equality Support Groups
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to access affordable accommodation
Eligibility
Applicants must be a qualified solicitor or barrister with post qualification experience in the areas of law covered on job description.
Assessment Overview
Stage 1
Online application, CV and cover letter (sift). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to stage 2.
Stage 2
Assessment for this role is due to take place in October. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Please note: Should you be shortlisted you may need to be able to conduct an interview over Microsoft Teams (a video conferencing service). You will be asked to provide relevant contact details for that to take place if shortlisted.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Additional Information
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a basic criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences which are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory. Successful candidates should apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to get a copy of their criminal record and share the original disclosure certificate with the LFC. The check will only show convictions that are not ‘spent’. It will cost the successful candidates £23 (current charge) and usually takes up to 14 days.
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