Job summary
The Health and Safety Executive is recruiting an experienced Legal Professional to join our Legal Services Division for a fixed term of 12 months.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant legal team whilst dealing with some of the most complex and significant prosecutions in this area of regulatory law which, put simply, helps to save lives.
Working Pattern
Part time working hours are available for this role.
We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Travel
This post can be based in any of the advertised HSE locations.
However, there is the expectation that you will travel to other HSE offices across Great Britain periodically with some overnight stays for team meetings and to meet business need.
Job description
You will be either a qualified Barrister or Solicitor and you will have good knowledge and experience of criminal law and practice plus experience of prosecuting.
As Great Britain’s Health and Safety regulator, our enforcement powers are key not only to enforcing compliance with the wider Health & Safety regime but also to backing up our wider messages and ensuring that those responsible for causing death and serious injury are appropriately punished.
The role of Enforcement Lawyer is a key one which will contribute directly to public confidence, both in HSE and in the wider Criminal Justice System.
Key Responsibilities
- handle your own caseload of high quality, victim and witness centred criminal prosecutions, including some more complex and challenging cases, providing advice on investigations,
- make well-reasoned decisions to prosecute in line with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and HSE quality standards,
- Deal with appeals (in the Employment Tribunal) against enforcement notices issued by HSE Inspectors.
- Conduct Inquest work and liaising with Coroners and other regulators under the Work Related Death Protocol.
- Provide legal advice to the organisation on a wide range of topics, including operational and policy issues
- Deliver legal training to HSE’s inspectors and provide written legal guidance.
- You may be required to undertake some advocacy at designated court centres local to the stated offices
Person specification
Essential Skills and Experience
Well-developed legal skills, plus an ability to quickly assimilate new areas of law with a keen interest in expanding your legal knowledge and skills
Possess good analytical skills and sound practical judgement
Have the ability to communicate both in writing and orally in a clear, effective and influential manner
Ability to proactively manage your own caseload and balance this with your other responsibilities
Be a good, flexible team player who can deliver work to a tight timescale and who is capable of managing situations to get the best results from the resources available.
Have the ability to build, maintain and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and other prosecutors.
An ability to demonstrate compassion and empathy for victims of crime and able to engage well with witnesses
Demonstrable knowledge and experience of criminal law and practice with experience of prosecuting.
Hybrid Working
At HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office.
This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work.
There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues.
If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week.
Qualifications
Legal: The postholder must be legally qualified – they must be either a qualified practising Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales.
Academic: The postholder must have a law degree or a non-law degree accompanied by either Common Professional Examination or Graduate Diploma in Law.
Professional: The postholder must either have completed the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course and have completed the relevant pupillage or training contract (or received full exemption from either Solicitors Regulatory Authority or Bar Standards Board).
Memberships
The successful applicant must have a valid practising certificate for England and Wales or be eligible to obtain a valid practising certificate issued from either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £65,460, Health and Safety Executive contributes £18,963 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity