Role Profile. Provide high level, effective and relevant legal advice and support to all Directorates, the Council and schools.

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1 Role Profile Our Values and Behaviours Calderdale Council should be a fulfilling and enjoyable place to work; we know this enthusiasm rubs off on our residents and customers, and we also recognise the crucial role each and every one of us plays in helping to achieve our goals. By demonstrating our core values and behaviours, you will lead by example to help us create the next generation of public services. Role Details: Role Title: Directorate: Service: Section: Solicitor Employment Chief Executive s Democratic & Partnership Services Legal Services Grade: PO7-10 Contract Details: Post Number: Permanent FWP271 Role Purpose: Provide a high quality, proactive, professional legal service to the Council, primarily in the area of employment law and local government law on behalf of the Head of Democratic and Partnership Services. Provide high level, effective and relevant legal advice and support to all Directorates, the Council and schools. Represent the Council in the Employment Tribunal, courts and other hearings as required. Liaise with the courts, solicitors and barristers, senior officers of the Council, elected Members and other relevant persons and bodies. Responsible for: No formal supervisory responsibility although the post holder will be expected to participate in training more junior or less experienced members of staff such as Legal Assistants and any Trainee Solicitor. 1

2 Responsible to: Head of Democratic and Partnership Services Principal Solicitor Team Leader Education and Litigation Team Smarter Working Profile: The work style for this role is defined as: Mobile Workers Mobile Workers typically work from a hot desk in an office and may need ICT access. They tend to move about during the day to attend meetings with colleagues, customers, and staff, and attend workshops etc. Mobile Workers are based with their teams in zoned areas to ensure effective team working and co-ordination. Circumstances Must be prepared on occasions to work outside normal working hours, e.g. to attend Committee or prepare reports/cases to meet deadlines Principal duties and responsibilities 1. Advise and represent the Council and schools on employment law matters. In addition, to contribute to the other work of the Education and Litigation Team as allocated by the Head of Democratic and Partnership Services, Principal Solicitor or Team Leader. 2. Advise on the settlement of employment claims in appropriate circumstances and to draft and negotiate the settlement of employment claims. 3. To appear for the Council in the Employment Tribunal, courts and other hearings as directed including such preparatory work as may be necessary. 4. Attend meetings and advise the Council, Members, Officers, School Governing Bodies or others as appropriate, including approval of reports and Minutes. 5. Provide advice and assistance to the Council, Directorates, Human Resources and any other organisations on matters of a legal or procedural nature. 6. Advise Human Resources on the implications of current and developing employment law and practice for the Council s employment policies, procedures and assist in the development of the Council s employment policies, procedures and resources. 7. Design and deliver regular updates and training on developments in employment law and practice that have implications for the Council s policies, procedures and employment practices. 8. Prepare contracts, agreements, notices and other legal documents as necessary. 9. To represent the Head of Democratic and Partnership Services in any committees, panels or Management Team meetings to investigate various aspects of Council activity. 10. To assist in the provision of a high quality legal service including training of Legal Assistants (Child Care) and any Trainee Solicitor in the Team and to advise more junior staff on day-to-day work problems. 2

3 11. To undertake such other duties as may from time to time be allocated commensurate with the seniority and qualifications of the post All staff will be expected to maintain high standards of customer care in the context of the council s Core Values, to uphold the Equality and Diversity Policy and health and safety standards and to participate in training activities necessary to their post. Calderdale Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will support digital engagement and share expertise to build capability across the wider organisation and with external partners. This is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities of this post. The post holder may be required to carry out any other duties as directed; the responsibility level of any other duties should not exceed those outlined above. Person Specification Key Strengths Requirements How Identified Coping with pressure, keeping emotions under control, balancing work and personal life, keeping optimistic, handling criticism. Coping with pressures and setbacks Presenting and communicating information (A) Works productively in a high pressure environment. (B) Keeps emotions under control during difficult situations. (C) Balances the demands of work life and personal life. (D) Maintains a positive outlook at work. (E) Handles criticism well and learns from it. Speaking clearly and fluently, expressing opinions, making presentations, responding to an audience, showing credibility. (A) Speaks clearly and fluently. (B) Expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly. (C) Makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence. (D) Responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback. (E) Projects credibility. 3

4 Writing and reporting Deciding and Initiating Action Writing clearly, succinctly and correctly, convincing through writing, avoiding jargon, structuring information. (A) Writes clearly, succinctly and correctly. (B) Writes convincingly in an engaging and expressive manner. (C) Avoids the unnecessary use of jargon or complicated language. (D) Writes in a well structured and logical way. (E) Structures information to meet the Deciding, taking responsibility, taking calculated risks, taking initiative and generating activity. (A) Makes prompt, clear decisions which may involve tough choices of considered risks. (B) Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people. (C) Takes initiative, acts with confidence and works under own direction. (D) Initiates and generates activity. 4

5 Learning and researching Delivering results and meeting customer expectations Skills needs and understanding of the intended audience. Learning rapidly, gathering information, understanding rapidly, managing knowledge, ensuring organisation learning approach. (A) Rapidly learns new tasks and quickly commits information to memory. (B) Gathers comprehensive information to support decision making. (C) Demonstrates a rapid understanding of newly presented information. (D) Encourages an organisational learning approach (i.e. learns from successes and failures and seeks staff and customers feedback). (E) Manages knowledge (collects, classifies and disseminates knowledge of use to the organisation). Focusing on customer needs and satisfaction, setting high quality and quantity standards, working systematically, achieving project goals. (A) Focuses on customer needs and satisfaction. (B) Sets high standards for quality and quantity. (C) Monitors and maintains quality and productivity. (D) Works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way. (E) Consistently achieves project goals. Knowledge of Employment Law Experience in advocacy Communication skills (includes verbal/written and negotiating skills) Working to deadlines Assertive and diplomatic Assessment Interview Knowledge /Skills Requirement Essential Desirable How Identified In depth knowledge and experience of advising on employment law including school matters Knowledge and understanding of local government law Experience in advocacy particularly in the Employment Tribunal X X 1.Application form 2.Interview 3.References 5

6 Teamwork skills Ability to organise workloads and meet tight deadlines Communication, presentation and negotiating skills Assertive and diplomatic Experience Must be prepared to work on occasions outside ordinary working hours, eg, to attend Committees or prepare cases to meet deadlines IT skills and ability to use a case management system Qualifications Type Level Essential Desirable Qualified Solicitor or Barrister X 6