Job description  
You will be a key member of the Commercial Law Team, advising on a wide range of general commercial matters such as public procurement, dispute resolution, intellectual property construction agreements, grant agreements and externally funded projects. You will have good experience in such work areas or clearly transferable skills and experience. You will also provide commercial law support to lawyers in other Legal Services teams. You will be helping to deliver the Environment Agency’s Action Plan (Creating a better place: our ambition to 2020) and the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. You will need to work with external public, private and third sector partners as well as engaging with lawyers in the Government Legal Service and the wider public and private sectors and to provide sensible, practical, accurate, timely and risk-based advice on complex and sensitive matters. You will have conduct of and responsibility for a varied, high quality, interesting and challenging caseload, as you play an influential role in the team and ensure that standards are met in a client-focused manner.

The team  
There are currently six lawyers in the commercial law team, based in Bristol, Exeter and Leeds, but with a focus on Bristol, where the team leader and key clients are located. This post will add to the commercial law team, which is part of the wider FCRM, Planning and Professional Support law team within the Environment Agency's national Legal Services function.

Experience/skills required  
You will need to be a lawyer (solicitor, barrister or legal executive) fully qualified to practice in England. A Practising Certificate is required. Candidates will need to have an excellent track record of handling technical issues, preferably to include negotiating and advising on a wide range of general commercial matters. We may consider applicants with relevant transferable skills and experience. Candidates will need to demonstrate that they are confident and credible, combining first-class communication and analytical skills with a broad knowledge of commercial legal issues; civil litigation, construction law, intellectual property law and public law experience would be an advantage. Candidates should have a demonstrable track record of autonomously influencing and persuading a wide range of people up to organisational leaders.

Closing Date: 2nd December 2018 at 23:55

Contact and additional information  
Applicants from other common law jurisdictions are welcome, provided at the time of the application they are fully qualified in England, a Practising Certificate is required. National travel is required. Candidates seeking flexible working, including job share are welcome. For an exceptional candidate we may consider a base other than Bristol. We offer a career average pension scheme and a wide range of other benefits. We believe the biggest reward of all is having the opportunity to make a real difference to the environment and the quality of work. You can download the candidate pack for more information. Please contact Will McKenzie by email (will.mckenzie@environment-agency.gov.uk) or phone 07557 846678. Alternatively in Will’s absence you can contact Nick Webb by email (nick.webb@environment-agency.gov.uk) or phone 07768 730240.

Level of security checks required  
Basic Check
Competence 1  
Achieves Results
Description  
The candidate will need to provide examples of times they have achieved results. This will include clear demonstration that the candidate sets and achieves high work standards as well as demonstrating the drive to meet targets. The candidate will need to demonstrate that they prioritise and organise tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Competence 2  
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description  
The candidate will need to demonstrate with examples that they have addressed the needs of internal and external customers for example by providing rapid and effective responses to queries and requests for advice.

Competence 3  
Legislative Knowledge
Description  
The candidate will need to demonstrate that they have knowledge of and can effectively apply their knowledge of both statute and common law in some or all of the work areas described in the job description. This knowledge of the law needs to demonstrate practiced familiarity with the technical and legal requirements to provide risk-based advice that helps protect both Environment Agency clients and the environment.
Role specific professional membership requirements  
Practising Certificate.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.