Level 3 Paralegal Apprentice
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 27th October 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Apprenticeship
Length of employment
Business area
Type of role
Legal Services
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
A rewarding job where you earn while you learn!
Do you have excellent communication skills?
Can you plan and organise your own workload?
This role combines learning and practical on the job training. At the end of it all, you'll have a level 3 Paralegal qualification. You’ll be fully supported to meet the learning requirements of the qualification.
The apprenticeship will be delivered by Damar Training. Paralegal Apprenticeships. This apprenticeship is due to start in March 2025 and we will be looking to onboard successful applicants in February 2025.
Make no mistake, it’ll be hard work. You’ll need to be highly motivated, but we’ll help you balance your work and studies, better still, you will enjoy a host of great benefits.
This is a great opportunity to join DVSA’s Legal team where you will learn new skills and gain a qualification.
If this sounds like you then please apply! We can’t wait to hear from you!
Job description
The main purpose of the Level 3 Paralegal is to prepare accurate information and related documentation for DVSA prosecution cases to be presented at court, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.
You are also responsible for quality assuring paperwork and liaise with courts and internal/external customers regarding cases/dates, ensuring that deadlines are met.
You will also deliver back-office support to the Roadside Enforcement fixed penalties activities of DVSA.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Process and action regular reports, including generating and sending appropriate letters and proformas.
- Accept receipt of new prosecution cases submitted via an IT system, quality assure case papers for consistency and required evidence, reject and return case papers of an inferior quality.
- Prepare accurate summonses or postal charges and related documentation for cases to be presented at court.
- Manage individual case load on a daily basis by using IT diaries to ensure that legislative deadlines are met as well as internal and external SLA’s.
- Liaise with contracted solicitors and DVSA enforcement staff with respect to specific cases and appoint legal representation in the event of an appeal against a court decision.
- Book hearing dates at specified Magistrates’ Courts, liaising between courts and DVSA staff.
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached Candidate Pack.
Person specification
We are seeking an individual who can pick up new skills with ease, being able to organise your time effectively and balance your work and studies.
To be successful in this post you will have a good level of computer literacy including experience of Microsoft Word and Excel in particular.
You will have the ability to organise and plan your own workload.
You will possess excellent communication skills, both written and oral with the ability to communicate with people at all levels highlighting any issues you find whilst having a high level of attention to detail.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Must hold or be willing to complete Maths and English GCSE Grade 4 above, or willing to complete this before the end of the apprenticeship.
- Have the right work in the UK.
- Not be in full-time education.
- Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes at the point of enrolment for this apprenticeship.
- Have valid and eligible residency status and be resident in the UK for 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship. Full eligibility details can be found here at Annex A. If you are not sure if you meet the residency requirements then please contact us before applying.
If you currently hold or are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher i.e. L3 Paralegal qualification, then you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy.
In order to be eligible for our apprenticeship vacancy, any qualifications previously held or currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills.
If you apply and are found to possess the above: your application will not be considered; any offer of employment will be withdrawn, and your contract will be terminated.
This role is suitable for career starters and would be great opportunity if you are just entering employment.
Additional Information
We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. Our expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards this.
Please take note that DVSA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
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 30 hours per week.
This role is a Fixed Term appointment for a maximum length of 24 months, there will be a possibility of becoming a permanent Prosecution & Legal Services Case Officer once the apprenticeship has been completed.
About Us
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably.
We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
We’re working hard to:
- make roads safer.
- improve services for our customers.
- make road transport greener and healthier.
- harness the potential of technology and data.
- grow and level up the economy.
To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace and making DVSA a great place to work visit our Careers website.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
- An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
- Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30.
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Latest IT and Tech devices.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- Excellent learning and development tailored to your role including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level.
- Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names.
- Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing.
- Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers.
- For more information see visit our careers page.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:
- Experience of a good level of computer literacy including experience of using Microsoft Word & Excel.
- Experience of planning and organising own workload and a sound ability to prioritise.
- Experience of excellent communication skills, both written and oral and an ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
Your Personal Statement will be limited to a maximum of 750 words.
The sift is due to take place week commencing 28th October 2024.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 11th November 2024.
This interview could be conducted via a face to face interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We’ll try to meet the dates we’ve set out in the advert. But there may be occasions when these dates will change. We’ll give you plenty of notice of any important dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- an interview with one written exercise.
If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work for DVSA and how to apply, we will be holding virtual sessions to find out more. Please click here to secure your place at one of our upcoming events.
The Department for Transport recruits using Success Profiles. For each role, we consider what you need to demonstrate to be successful.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
You can read more about Success Profiles here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : India Hemmings
- Email : india.hemmings@dvsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
