Senior Lawyer - FCRM and Planning - 31429

Senior Lawyer - FCRM and Planning - 31429
3
East of England, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Birmingham , Bristol , Exeter , Leeds , Peterborough , Reading , Warrington
Staff Grade 6
Permanent
Legal Services
Full Time, Part Time
£52,929

01/09/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
This vital role is based within our Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) and Planning legal team.

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please clearly state any preferences regarding your working arrangements in your application.

You will be part of a dedicated team making a tangible difference in creating a better environment for people and wildlife, while supporting sustainable development. Your role will involve providing legal advice across a broad spectrum of issues related to the Agency’s work, including judicial review, contract drafting, and planning advice.

If you have experience in areas such as general planning law, infrastructure planning law, environmental law, contracts, civil litigation, or property and land law, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to causes that benefit not only individuals but also the wider environment. This is your chance to work for a purpose you believe in.

The Environment Agency operates at the forefront of environmental change, where its impact directly affects communities and ecosystems. We collaborate closely with a diverse range of partners to ensure sufficient water supply for people and wildlife, reduce flood risks, and protect and enhance air, land, and water quality. We also oversee environmental standards within which industry operates, ensuring sustainable practices.

No two days are the same as you manage a varied caseload, providing high-quality legal advice on major scheme developments, powers of entry, planning, highways, navigations, and litigation.

Working on dynamic challenges with a high degree of autonomy, this role offers an excellent chance to make a meaningful impact within a respected national organisation. We provide a good work-life balance, a generous defined-benefits pension scheme, and excellent opportunities for professional development.
Work with passionate colleagues who share your commitment to the environment and people. Our established, supportive network will help you settle into your new role.

We welcome applications from qualified lawyers with the right to practise in England and Wales. The work is diverse, offering opportunities to develop your skills and grow within the role according to your expertise.
Our Grade 6 roles are suitable for experienced lawyers with 3+ years PQE, confident in managing their own caseload without supervision.

Candidates should have a proven track record of handling complex legal issues, preferably in public and environmental law.

In addition you will:
• Be confident, credible, and able to explain intricate legal matters clearly and concisely.
• Have strong analytical skills and up-to-date knowledge of public law principles.
• Be a naturally curious lawyer who will thrive working in-house alongside skilled clients within a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Have the ability to influence and persuade stakeholders by effectively communicating legal concepts to professional audiences.

We seek professionals who are proactive, detail-oriented, and committed to making a tangible difference through legal expertise.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on meaningful issues and develop further as a trusted legal advisor.
Benefits include:
- Salary of £52,929 plus £5,250 Market Forces Factor allowance per annum
- Pension contribution
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Supportive, flexible working and family-friendly policies

We offer the opportunity to combine home working with your contractual office base, subject to operational needs and collaboration with colleagues or attendance at other locations as required. We recognise there’s more to life than work. This role offers the legal challenges of private practice, but with flexibility and a clear sense of purpose.

Interviews are scheduled for late September 2025.

For further information, please contact Nick Hayden at nick.hayden@environment-agency.gov.uk or Sarah Ward at sarah.ward@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Achieves Results
Definition: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Please describe how you prioritise and organise tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Definition: Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

Please describe a situation in which you have presented a case in a convincing way and persuaded a client to follow or accept your advice on the direction of a major or sensitive projects or piece of work.
Legislative Knowledge
Definition: Applies a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.

Please give an example of when you have applied your knowledge of FCRM/Planning law in your work, that illustrates how you would be able to use your knowledge and experience in order to ensure the Environment Agency complies with statutory requirements.
Practising Certificate with at least 3+ years PQE
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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.