In-house Solicitor

Job summary

Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) role is to monitor, investigate and secure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law in Scotland. We also scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law and policy in Scotland and how it is implemented and applied. In our investigative and analytical reports, we may also identify instances where we consider there to be gaps in environmental protection legislation.

ESS is an independent non-ministerial office, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and overseen by a non-executive board. It is part of the Scottish Administration and its employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website .

Our Strategy 2026-2031 sets out how we will work as an organisation to deliver our vision that ‘by holding public authorities to account, we will ensure that Scotland’s people and nature benefit from a high-quality, healthy environment through improved compliance with and better implementation of effective environmental law’.

ESS’ role is expanding to take on two new roles:

• scrutinising the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026
• scrutinising local authorities’ reporting against climate change duties as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009

To deliver these duties and to manage this significant organisational change, ESS has been recruiting new posts over the last six months to establish a new team within the organisation to lead the development of work to deliver these roles, alongside related corporate services requirements.

Job description

We are recruiting for one new In-house Solicitor to support our expanding work in ESS. This post holder will work to our Principal In-house Solicitor and within our Corporate Services and Communications Department. Additional support is available, as required, from external solicitors.

The focus of this post is to provide legal advice and support at all levels of the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

To provide legal support to ESS’ Principal In-House Solicitor to assist them with:

• providing legal advice on a broad range of matters, which include environmental law, public law, corporate governance and information law
• assessing lawfulness and legal risk, making recommendations to mitigate and manage legal risk as part of providing legal advice
• identifying where external legal advice is required, managing the delivery of any externally commissioned legal services and managing partnerships with our contracted legal service providers
• building a comprehensive understanding of the legal, strategic and policy landscape within which ESS operates to see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly
• utilising relevant legal experience and research skills to analyse, understand and interpret environmental legislation and case law alongside technical and scientific information
• monitoring updates and changes to law within Scotland, across the rest of the UK, the EU and internationally, to ensure that ESS is well-informed about legal changes of relevance to the organisation
• drafting and reviewing legal processes and guidance as required
• developing and delivering internal training and knowledge building in relevant legal topics
• representing ESS at external fora, such as meetings, legal conferences and stakeholder events to promote and explain the role of ESS as a trusted and effective oversight body

The candidate is also required to work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues across ESS on key operational work streams to support the development of effective and efficient processes and systems within ESS.

Person specification

• experience of working in a team at pace to deliver high quality products or service
• excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to establish strong working relations with a range of internal and senior external stakeholders
• excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to work independently to deliver at pace, without sacrificing quality

Essential criteria

• experience within an environmental or public law context
• proven experience of exercising reliable legal judgement and appreciation of legal risks, with the ability to analyse and advise on complex and novel legal issues
• strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to present findings of analysis in a clear and compelling manner to technical and non-technical audiences, and defend decisions, based on evidence
• significant planning and organisational skills to manage and balance a full and fast-paced case load

Desirable criteria

• experience of working in environmental science, law, policy or regulation

Qualifications /experience

We are looking for a candidate currently practicing as a solicitor, or with experience of practicing as a solicitor, in Scotland.

The following knowledge, membership and qualifications are essential to this post and will be tested at sift and interview:

• a minimum of one year of post-qualification experience within an environmental, regulatory or public law context
• must hold a valid practicing certificate or equivalent, or have the ability to obtain one

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,401, Environmental Standards Scotland contributes

£14,311 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

ESS is an independent public body focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, who can work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

In return, we offer a competitive employment package including:

• enrolment in the civil service pension scheme
• a range of flexible working arrangements as well as flexitime to ensure a working pattern that meets both your needs as well as those of the organisation
• 25 days annual leave with an increase to 30 days after two years of reckonable service, plus 11.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• six months full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, five weeks full pay for paternity leave and paid leave for any antenatal appointments
• a range of paid special leave including leave for carers and bereavement leave
• a strong commitment to investing in the personal and professional development of all staff
• dedicated wellbeing support and services for all staff including access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• exceptional workplace adjustment support to remove barriers to enable staff to achieve their full potential

We are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. We also offer access to a range of network groups to support equality, diversity and inclusion.

The post allows flexible working and is open to full time or, by agreement, other working patterns including part-time, job share or compressed hours with a minimum requirement of 28 hours per week.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability and your CV.

If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Please note, if you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum experience as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

The behaviours required for this role are shown below. You will be assessed against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's experience, skills, and potential fit within our organisation. This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Short stage application form

Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.

Stage 2: Written application and sift

As part of the application process, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on each of the following Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Your personal statement should explain why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion. Please read and understand the key criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.

ESS uses the Scottish Government Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of three elements: Behaviours, Experience and Technical. ESS strongly recommends you have a look at the Success Profiles candidate guide to enable you to make the best application possible. When writing behaviours at application stage or presenting behaviours in interview, ESS recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Sift

After the closing date, your application will be reviewed and marked.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, managing a quality service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift is expected to take place from 14 October 2026.

Once the sift has been completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome. Please note that feedback will not be given to applicants at sift stage.