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Would you like to be part of something bigger and join us in our ambition to become the Best City, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer?

Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.

Benefits of working with us:

We pride ourselves on offering the best employee experience, with a genuine commitment to keeping our colleagues safe and well at work. You can expect great benefits whilst working for us including:

• A competitive pay progression structure including generous employer pension contributions
• Flexible career paths with tailored personal and professional development
• Support for you, your home and your family including personal, and financial support
• Hybrid working arrangements (subject to needs of the role) and a flexitime system

For more information about our benefits please see the benefits section of our jobs page. www.leeds.gov.uk/jobs

Introduction to the role of the team

The Team deals with the Defence of Housing Disrepair Claims

Your role

The role involves legal administration of an inbox which requires being able to quickly deal with incoming queries and to keep the Team’s casefiles and records accurate and up to date.

You will have excellent communication skills and be a team player. You will be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your colleague department.

What you will bring to the role

Excellent legal administration skills, particularly accuracy and being able to work under pressure.

Leeds City Council are committed to promoting and living our values of

being open, honest and trusted ~ treating people fairly ~ spending money wisely ~ working as a team for Leeds ~ working with communities

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

The preferred candidate will have an Solicitors Regulatory Check

LEEDS CITY COUNCIL - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose:

To assist in the carrying out of legal and administrative work in relation to any of the functions and services of the Council, primarily within the Housing Disrepair Team.

Responsibilities:

To undertake a personal workload of matters in relation to Housing Disrepair claims which will include but not be limited to:

• Sending new claims to Housing & Resources in a timely manner.
• Setting up electronic files.
• Carrying out general legal administrative duties including sending information received from HSG disrepair, external solicitors, court or any other third parties to fee earners within the disrepair team.
• Assisting legal case holders with legal administration tasks including but not limited to sending out standard initial letters where there has been a lack of access. Other legal administrative tasks may include preparing and sending BACS payments to Finance or Exchequer services and assisting case handlers with general legal administrative duties such as diarising key dates in the outlook calendar or scanning documents.
• To participate in Team meetings and to take appropriate action in relation to matters arising at those meetings as required.
• To contribute to initiatives within the Team, Section, Unit and Service generally.
• To receive such training as is required.
• To live the Council’s values in demonstrable ways.
• To take personal responsibilities under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.

To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:

• The Council’s Policies and Codes of Practice.
• The Council’s Constitution.
• Legal Services’ Standards, Objectives, Targets and Timescales.
• Legal Services’ Lexcel Procedures.
• To carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other teams and colleagues as, from time to time, may reasonably be required, which are commensurate with the grade, experience training and level of responsibility within the Council identified by the Council. You may be required to attend meetings, tribunals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council.

Qualifications

Two A levels (A-C) or Paralegal qualification (E.g. Affiliate member of CILEX -includes completion of

5 CILEX level 3 units) or equivalent qualification.

OR

Four GCSEs (Grade A-C) or equivalent including Maths and English or appropriate alternative qualifications-for example level 3 NVQ in Administration and the applicant can demonstrate she/he has experience of working in a legal environment. 12 months experience in the past 5 years.

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Ability to prioritise and organise workload.
• Ability to work within time constraints.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to relate effectively to people at different levels inside and outside the council.
• Possess or have an ability to develop IT skills.
• Ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
• To draft and prepare clear and concise documents, reports, letters and memoranda.
• Liaise with all levels of the Council and other organisations.

Behavioural and Other Related Characteristics

• Willing to abide by the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
• Willing to take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council's Health and Safety Policy.
• Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
• Conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to deadlines to achieve the Division's objectives.
• A commitment to manage change in a positive manner.
• A professional approach and presentation.
• A commitment to assist in the development and provision of high quality legal services.
• A willingness to work occasionally beyond normal hours.
• A willingness to adapt an innovative approach to work.
• A commitment to the effective working of Legal and Democratic Services and the objectives of Leeds City Council.

Desirable requirements

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• A basic knowledge of general office procedures and practice.
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems and Best Value.
• Experience of working with Quality Management Systems.
• Experience of working as an effective member of a team.