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:
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:
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
Essential criteria
Desirable criteria
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:
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:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
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:
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:
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:
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.
Stage 3: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.
The interviews are expected to take place week commencing 16 November 2026.
Preparing for the interview
The interview will take approximately one hour and will consist of behaviour-based questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation offering a more inclusive approach. The behaviour-based questioning is to assess your strengths in those areas and explores what you, the candidate, can and have done, but also your potential.
Please note: you will receive the interview questions no later than 12 hours in advance of your interview.
Behaviours
You will be assessed against the behaviours mentioned above.
It may be helpful to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the STAR model to explain:
STAR – What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed further.
Stage 4: Offer
Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first.
The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful pre-employment checks, which can take a number of weeks to complete.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Location
The post is based at ESS’ Edinburgh Haymarket office called Thistle House. You should only apply for this role if you can travel to and from your home office location daily within a reasonable time. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.
Near Miss Appointments
On occasion candidates may attend an interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. ESS may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Minimum Time in Post
The successful candidates will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of two years and would not be expected to move to another civil service role unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to one year.
Further information for this job
If offered as a secondment/loan, existing Civil Servants should have received agreement from their line manager prior to commencing the application. The terms of the loan/secondment will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
A reserve list may be held for a period of one year from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to ESS from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band, unless already a civil servant on the same grade in which case the move will be at the same salary level.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 35 hours per week.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 28 hours per week over a minimum of four days.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 40% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace or, when required for business
reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Visa Sponsorship
ESS does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name : Alasdair Dewar
Email : people@environmentalstandards.scot
Recruitment team
Email : enquiries@environmentalstandards.scot
