Building Safety - Legal Support Intern

We are looking for two Building Safety Legal Support Interns to join our team on a six-month fixed term contract.

 This is a fantastic opportunity for law graduates or early-career legal professionals to gain practical experience, contribute to critical building safety work, and help protect communities across the region. Your work will support the West Midlands Remediation Acceleration Plan and follow the recommendations of the Grenfell fire investigation, helping prevent similar tragedies.

You’ll work alongside experienced officers and legal professionals across seven local authorities, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, and potentially the Building Safety Regulator. While primarily based at Walsall Fire Station, you’ll travel across the West Midlands to support colleagues and partners.

What you will do

• Assist in interpreting and applying legislation including the Housing Act 2004, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and Building Safety Act 2022
• Review lease and service agreements, Land Registry and Companies House records to identify responsible parties
• Support officers in drafting and serving enforcement notices and legal correspondence
• Support enforcement officers in compiling clear, well-structured case files and support appeals or tribunal paperwork
• Assist with evidence organisation, chronologies, summaries, and interview planning
• Work with in-house legal teams, external solicitors, and Counsel to support enforcement action

You’ll gain hands-on exposure to legal and enforcement processes while contributing directly to work that keeps people safe.

What we’re looking for.

• Law degree or equivalent qualification
• Interest in public law, housing, regulatory or fire safety work
• Ability to understand, interpret, and explain legal information clearly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Organised with the ability to manage your workload
• Confidence working with a range of stakeholders
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
• Passion and enthusiasm for the West Midlands and public service

What you’ll gain.

• Practical experience on a high-profile regional programme
• Exposure to real enforcement and regulatory processes
• Opportunities to work with and be mentored by experienced legal and building safety professionals
• Experience applying lessons from the Grenfell fire investigation
• A strong foundation for a future career in law, regulation, or the public sector
• Networking opportunities across local authorities, fire services, and public agencies

Location. 

The location for this role is primarily based at Walsall Fire Station with travel to Partners across the region.

How to apply. 

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
2. Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
3. Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
4. Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs). 
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days. 
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.   
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses. 

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).