Senior Lawyer - Environment & Sustainability WMF1696e

Westmorland & Furness Council is hiring a Senior Lawyer for Environment & Sustainability, based in Barrow-in-Furness, UK. The role involves providing strategic and regulatory legal advice on environmental matters, including climate change and natural capital projects. Candidates should possess strong drafting and negotiation skills. The position offers flexible work options, including home working, and is a full-time, fixed-term contract for three years with a salary range of £55,119 - £57,362.
Job profile

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job reference

REQ00000017906

Date posted

10/02/2025

Application closing date

22/04/2025

Location

Salary

£55,119 - £57,362

Package

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Attachments

Senior Lawyer - Environment & Sustainability WMF1696e

Job description

Location: Barrow, Kendal or Penrith however flexible and/or home working is available

Contract Type: Fixed Term, 3 Year Contract

About this opportunity

A great opportunity has arisen at Westmorland and Furness Council within our Legal Team for a Senior Lawyer to lead on the Council’s environmental work.

To be a success in our Legal Team you will have strong experience in providing both strategic and regulatory advice on the environment, natural capital and climate and sustainability to clients, and who also has skills and experience in contractual drafting and negotiation in this area. We recognise that a key skill will be adaptability and ability to collaborate and learn given the new and evolving nature of this practice area.

Example areas of the type of experience we are looking for include:
• Advising on natural capital projects in the UK;
• Advising on carbon offsetting projects in the UK;
• Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements in relation to Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Flood Resilience, BNG, Nutrient Neutrality, natural capital investment, carbon offsetting and other ecosystems services outcomes; and
• Providing advice on other climate and sustainability matters, including environmental projects, grants, contracts and other related agreements; and
• Advising on the establishment and operation of natural capital projects, including habitat banks for Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality, carbon offsetting and other ecosystems services.

Other duties will include dealing with a range of matters including providing advice to Officers and Elected Members, attending Council Meetings, Committees and working groups as required.

Nature and Climate Change are key priorities of Westmorland and Furness Council having declared both a climate and biodiversity crises. We are aiming to be at the forefront of climate mitigation, climate adaptation and nature recovery, helping our communities adapt to our changing world.

Who we are looking for…

Delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients is important to us, so we are looking for a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines, who has effective communication skills and is able to use sound judgement to solve problems.

To thrive in this role, you will be used to working in a busy pressurised environment and will enjoy a challenge. Additionally, good ICT literacy and the ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research is critical.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site - Our benefits | Careers

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below documents:
• Post Specification
• Role Profile

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal conversation about this opportunity, then please contact Danielle Walls - danielle.walls@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 22nd April 2025

The interviews will take place in-person. If you have any concerns or if adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss.

Safer Recruitment

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old, that meet the essential criteria for the role.

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