Trading Standards
London
Contract
Competitive Salary Offered
We are looking for an Enforcement Officer to join our east London Trading Standards department on a temporary basis
Reports to: Trading Standards and Licensing Manager
Responsible for:
Job titles of direct reports Occasional supervision of licensing officers and admin officer
Occasional supervision and direction of Police Officers and Police Cadet Officers
Role purpose and role dimensions:
Overview of the job to undertake statutory enforcement activities and actions within the allocated functions of Trading Standards work, i.e.
a) Programmed work – enforcement inspections and project management;
b) The investigation of offences, service requests and complaints;
c) Formal legal action – including entering premises, obtaining warrants; the collection of evidence, seizing of goods and documents, drafting and service of improvement notices as authorised, recommending prosecution; preparation of complex casework and appearance as a witness in legal proceedings, licence review applications, issuing improvement notices
d) Service development – in the light of new legislation, Council, initiatives, changes in Service priorities
e) To maintain an expert knowledge and be the Council’s lead officer on at least one key area (e.g. Age Restricted Sales) of the Team’s enforcement work.
Key external contacts:
Organisations Members of the Public, police cadets, partners including Police, Fire Service, Public Health England, Environment Agency,
Local Businesses, bank management, business management and business groups, PLCs Limited companies and sole traders
Government Departments, including FSA, HSE, DEFRA, GLA, CABX, CACS, BEIS, Cabinet Office
Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health officers LTS, TRS & subgroups thereof, ALEHM
Government Department auditors & assessors
External Contractors
Key internal contacts:
Job titles or groups of staff Senior Council staff to FUM level
Members of the Council, MP’s, Cabinet Members
Other Council Service Areas
Internal Contractors
Financial dimensions:
Budgetary responsibility & amount.
Equipment, cash, property etc. for which employee is responsible. Test Purchasing and sampling funding up to £150
Seizure and retention of goods and products, computers, mobile phones and other evidential material at and from local businesses (unlimited value – typically £2,000 - £5,000).
Custody and cataloguing of seized products within the Service secure store including evidential continuity for proceedings.
To transport and use at businesses and on-site locations throughout the borough Trading Standards testing materials, standards and equipment e.g. GEC Itemiser, PACE recorder (value £20K).
Maintain and keep secure mobile ‘phone, laptop and all files and data used at site locations throughout the borough
Key areas for decision making:
The interpretation and application of trading legislation, case law, Codes of Practice, established Council procedures and guidelines and all other policies relating to specific Trading Standards breaches and issues found at local business premises.
The determination and prioritisation of resources, to maximise results and ensure efficient and effective working.
The analysis and interpretation of intelligence data and other information necessary to ensure efficient and effective working and inform more senior staffs’ decisions.
The day-to-day use of the discretion and decision making required under the Council’s enforcement policies, to take informal or formal action in any given case/situation or make enforcement recommendations to senior management.
To determine and make recommendation on enforcement action, formal warnings, statutory cautions, review applications and prosecutions
Other considerations:
E.g. working patterns, the post holder will habitually work alone and unsupervised during site visits, inspections and external meetings with businesses, traders and consumers, including night-time and weekend working up to a maximum of 5 events per month
Key Accountabilities and Results Area:
1. Statutory priorities enforcement actions at high risk premises, carry out investigations, gather, seize and retain evidence, conduct surveillance and procure samples;
2. Formally evaluate evidence, prepare complex reports and correspondence and determine appropriate actions. Analyse problems and their causes, identify and propose solutions and, where necessary (e.g. for new issues or trends), make recommendations for alterations to the Council’s policy and/or strategy;
3. In respect of specific legislation, on own initiative draft, check and serve legal notices. Attend case studies and pre-hearing meetings, prepare and present cases or act as witness in court or at public enquiries and other formal hearings;
4. Take the role of lead officer for the Trading Standards Service in one or more specified areas of work and plan, organise and discharge the Council’s functions and responsibilities accordingly. To act as the principal point of contact, both internally and externally and the primary source of information and advice concerning the specified area of work determined at PMR, e.g. food standards and safety.
5. Devise lead and be responsible for projects. Determine the resources required and set time/cost limits for their completion. Plan, monitor and steer those projects and advise manager/Senior TSO and apply corrective action, when required;
6. Liaise with stakeholders and partners in the execution of projects and elicit and then maintain the co-operation of all concerned, and, on completion of projects, undertake or coordinate the formulation of reports and recommendations, as may be required;
7. Represent the Service at internal and external meetings.
8. Write complex enforcement reports, briefing notes, collation of evidence procedures and work instructions on operational issues, in order to reconcile/resolve conflicting issues or priorities and devise, evaluate and recommend solutions.
9. Ensure the Council’s statutory Trading Standards and Licensing and food standards obligations are met, in accordance with Council policy, having regards to all Diversity issues and the interests of all sections of the community.
10. Where necessary, to recommend proportionate and effective enforcement action in a range of situations for where no appropriate Council Policy, strategy or procedure exists.
11. Orally and in writing, communicate strategies, decisions and solutions in a range of enforcement situations, some of which are complex and longstanding.
12. Ensure that the aims and objectives of the Trading Standards and Licensing Group are met by the effective and efficient implementation of agreed policies and strategies, in accordance with the Service Area Plan and performance management and enforcement policies.
13. Contribute to the Service Area Plan and Medium-Term Planning process, e.g. identifying base budget pressures and opportunities for improving Service efficiency and cost effectiveness.
14. Provide advice to Community Safety Management Team, Cabinet Members and members of the Council, schools and other external agencies in respect of statutory obligations, changes in legislation and national and local trends.
15. Contribute to the development and maintenance of Trading Standards and Licensing Services policies the council’s corporate objectives and prepare associated procedures and practice guidance notes.
16. Advising business on conformity to Trading Standards and other legislation and to support and encourage Primary Authority relationships with LBR based businesses.
17. To produce robust, clear and fair enforcement activity and implementation, also ensuring good relationships with compliant business, licensees and contractors
18. Devise and promote good customer relation practice to support consumers, resolve complaints and protect the reputation of the Council and its services,
19. Keep consumers fully informed of relevant Trading Standards issues, through meetings with interested groups, bespoke presentations, targeted information to local communities, community groups, other Council services, local businesses and other agencies.
20. Investigate and respond to customer complaints and Members’ Enquiries.
21. Carry out all duties in accordance with the Council’s Customer Care and Diversity Policies and Procedures.
22. Ensure that legal proceedings are properly presented and conducted in accordance with statute, Codes of Practice and council policies and procedures, and in particular perform the roles of investigative officer and witness on behalf of the Council in Magistrates’ and Crown Court.
23. Exercise statutory and Council delegated authorities including entering premises, conducting audits, seizing goods and documents and other evidence.
24. Ensure the safe keeping, maintenance and proper use of all allocated equipment, vehicles, materials and facilities.
25. When requested, represent or act on behalf of the Team Manager in their absence.
26. To undertake out-of-hours, evening and weekend enforcement up to 5 events per calendar month and to exceptionally respond to out-of-hours emergencies
27. Positively contribute to the work of corporate project teams and partnership operations undertaken throughout the year. e.g. Action Days, Op Liberal, HMRC and Immigration operations.
28. Maintain and expert knowledge of the allocated service specialization e.g. Food standards, bogus callers, product safety including regular updates, training events and government policies and continue to develop own legal and technical abilities and contribute to training and development for other staff.
29. Perform any other duties appropriate to this area of work and consistent with the level of the post, as may be required from time-to-time.
30. Comply with all Health and Safety at Work requirements as directed by the Council and personal responsibility and attend relevant Health and Safety training as directed.
Person Specification
Minimum education/ qualifications:
Hold Degree in Trading Standards, DCATS, or similar qualification in a relevant subject
Experience
Experience of successful project management
Experience of investigating complaints within an enforcement setting and undertaking enforcement action
Experience of producing & presenting detailed written reports
Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment and good understanding of the needs of different groups within that environment
Skills
Proven ability to carry out investigations
Ability to effectively communicate with customers and other members of staff both in writing and verbally.
Proven ability to mediate between parties to resolve issues
Ability to plan and mange work to implement programmes and meet performance targets.
Ability to accurately maintain records both written and computer based.
Ability to initiate and respond flexibly, positively and successfully to changing demands and circumstances.
Possess innovative and original thinking ability to deal with unusual operational problems & demands
Ability to manage and carry out project-based tasks to a set timetable and within allocated resources.
Ability to work both as part of a team and on their own.
Knowledge
A good understanding of Trading Standards legislation in the work environment and acceptance of responsibility for their practical application.
Maintain working knowledge of a wide range of Trading standards legislation, and ability to interpret, current & proposed legislation, case law, codes of practice, guidelines and any relevant polices relating to the allocated area of work
To have and maintain expert knowledge of a specialist TS subject area, including legislation, guidance and policies, current trends and practices
Personal style & behaviourAble to work to own initiative as appropriate without access to constant guidance or the need for work to be checked.
Special conditions: Possession of a clean full driving licence with daily access to a vehicle suitable for Council business.
To be prepared to work out-of-hours. TP’s, licensing, food standards, enforcement activities including working with partners
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Trading Standards
London
Contract
Competitive Salary Offered