Solicitor

Job Description

We are looking for a full time Solicitor on a fixed term basis for 18 months

Your passion has never had a greater purpose

At SEPA we work to ensure that Scotland’s environment is protected and improved, including ensuring that natural resources are managed in a sustainable way. We are recruiting a Solicitor on a fixed term contract to join our Environmental & Regulatory (E&R) Legal Function. We are looking for a lawyer with strong legal skills. Environmental law experience, whilst desirable, is not essential. We are keen to hear from lawyers with transferable skills and experience, whether gained in-house or in private practice, who are interested in developing or furthering their experience in environmental law.

Work that goes beyond your desk

To provide legal advice on environmental, criminal and administrative law to enable SEPA to take informed decisions arising from the performance of our regulatory functions, particularly in relation to enforcement activities. This will involve working with colleagues from a variety of functions –regulators, scientists, technical specialists.

To provide bespoke legal advice and solutions tailored to each individual issue or situation.

Your role will include:

• Providing professional legal support to SEPA’s Regulation, Business and Environment Portfolio
• Providing legal advice and direction to officers on legal options and solutions in relation to enforcement activities
• Providing legal advice to officers in relation to the completion and submission of reports to Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) recommending criminal prosecutions
• Providing legal advice to officers on permitting
• Supporting Legal Senior Managers to defend appeals against regulatory decisions

Respect for your expertise

This is a highly important role within our Governance, Performance & Engagement portfolio which means you’ll need…

• You must be a Scottish qualified Solicitor with a current full practising certificate
• You will be a confident communicator and able to translate complex law into plain English
• You will need to be able to work as part of a multi disciplinary team and to be pragmatic and flexible
• You will be able to think creatively in terms of finding solutions to different novel regulatory matters

Support that goes beyond the workplace

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
• Up to 34 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies
• Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

Passionately you. Purposefully supportive

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.

If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process, please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at hr@sepa.org.uk

Closing date: 4 May 2025 at midnight.

To apply please click "Apply"

Apply now to join a Passionately Purposeful workplace