Lawyer

Hybrid – Works part from Gun Wharf and part from home

Medway and Gravesham Legal Services is looking to recruit lawyers to complement our busy and friendly team. We are looking for Childcare lawyers, SEN lawyers and adults’ lawyers.

The council understands that a motivated workforce is the most important factor for it to be successful and achieve its aims. It’s vital that employees feel rewarded for their contribution.

The council recognised that it needed to improve its reward offer to attract and retain talented and motivated lawyers to join its highly respected internal legal team. As such the council has significantly invested in increasing the reward offer for each role, increasing the size of the team and implementing a career progression framework which supports professional development and succession planning through internal growth.  This has already borne fruit with one successful recruitment campaign, and we are now looking to fill the remaining vacancies.

As a Medway Council employee, you will have the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally by undertaking relevant training opportunities, enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including competitive rates of pay, pension scheme, flexi time and generous annual leave. Along with access to an employee advice, information and counselling service, employee forums and an employee discount scheme for national and local retailers.

The team operate a flexible hybrid work style with remote working being combined with office attendance to allow colleagues to collaborate and contribute to the positive team atmosphere. The team is mostly based at Gun Wharf, Chatham (where free parking is available) 

We are looking for proactive individuals who excel in client management, drafting, negotiation, mentoring colleagues, advocacy in a variety of courts and tribunals, and providing advice at committees. 

We welcome applications from both experienced local government lawyers and those in private practice who are looking to join local government. We provide an introductory training course to local government law to all those joining the Council irrespective of previous background. 

We pride ourselves on the training and support provided to staff and in joining us you will contribute towards and encourage a culture of learning, knowledge sharing and excellence within Legal Services.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Vicky Nutley on vicky.nutley@medway.gov.uk 

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C.  There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.  

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached. 

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels: 
 Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.  

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.  

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. 

The Legal are seeking to appoint a Lawyer, you can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role.  You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C.   You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs. 

Important Information- 

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile.

For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online. 

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.  All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email. 

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.