Test Track and Tracers

Full Vacancy Description

As we move into the next phase of Covid-19, local authorities across the midlands have come together to develop a local plan to manage Covid-19. 

Nationally, we are all following Government guidance to stay safe and manage Covid-19. As we begin to return to workplaces, shops and spending time with our families and friends it is important that we all continue to follow guidance to protect ourselves and the people around us. 

We have developed a detailed outbreak control plan to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases to zero and reduce its impact on our most vulnerable residents.

The plan includes 8 key priorities:

·         Community engagement to build trust and participation

·         Preventing infection

·         High risk settings and communities

·         Vulnerable people

·         Testing capacity

·         Contact tracing

·         Data surveillance and integration

·         Deployment of capabilities including enforcement

The plan will help to identify, contain and control coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives. It will play an increasingly important part in the governments wider strategy to save lives, protect the health and care system as we start to move out of lockdown.

We are looking for individuals to join our Covid-19 Test & Trace team to help support the county, businesses and residents to tackle the virus and return to normal life, as close as possible.

In this varied and unique role, you will be working to support our response to Covid-19 and the local outbreak prevention and control plan.  You will join a dedicated, multi-disciplinary incident management and prevention team which will enable the Council to effectively fight the virus and enable its citizens to return to normal life. 

You will display excellent communication and collaborative working skills as you liaise with colleagues both within the County Council; Districts and Boroughs to achieve positive outcomes.

Main work duties will include but will not be limited to the following: 

·         Undertake the investigation of complex Covid–19 cases and completion of follow up investigations.  

·        Investigation of complaints and enquiries relating to Covid–19, ensuring that all relevant legislation and guidance is being complied with.  

·       Make recommendations to Districts and Boroughs for action under the relevant statutory provisions. 

The work will be based from home and the contract will be for 18 months 

Job Title:      Test and Trace Regulatory Officer (Trading Standards, Environmental Health)           

Service Area:            Community Services: Trading Standards & Community Safety and Public Health Services

Responsible to:        Test and Trace Project Manager

Role Purpose

To play an active role in

supporting local communities and individuals to be safe, healthy & independent and

supporting a vibrant local economy 

by delivering a range of intelligence-led prevention and enforcement activities

Role Responsibilities

1. Deliver intelligence-led compliance programmes, utilising a range of preventative and enforcement options, including:

providing advice and information to businesses on compliance within relevant laws

providing advice, information and assistance to vulnerable consumers

researching and investigating complaints

take regulatory/ enforcement action as appropriate to ensure compliance with statutory duties in accordance with the policies and practices of the council.

undertake a variety of inspections and surveys covering one or more specialist function within regulatory services.

producing written reports, compiling evidential files, giving evidence in Court

utilising innovative/alternative enforcement actions where appropriate

2. Comply with applicable statutory and organisational procedural requirements and best practice

3. Update service records and submit intelligence logs in a timely fashion, disseminate information and intelligence appropriately, ensure confidentiality and security of sensitive information

4. Work independently and/or collaboratively with a team and/or external partners

5. Travel to a range of premises within/outside the Council, carrying equipment as required. Work flexibly, including working outside normal office hours if necessary

6. Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge in relevant areas of legislation and professional practice

7. Adopt the Council’s “Behaviours and Values”

8. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post, as required

Section B: Person Specification

The person specification provides a list of essential and desirable criteria (skills and competencies) that a candidate should have in order to perform the job. Each of the criteria listed below will be measured through; the application form (A), a test / exercise (T), an interview (I), a presentation (P) or documentation (D).

Essential Criteria

Qualified in a relevant regularly service, i.e Environmental Health, Trading Standards

or

Equivalent experience of Advisory or Enforcement work.       

Experience of carrying out investigative and/or enforcement duties 

Able to effectively assimilate/interpret/apply complex legislation and technical subject matter in order to propose practical solutions in a wide range of scenarios, including within time constraints and deadlines          

Excellent two-way communication, negotiation and influencing skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal or technical concepts clearly and concisely    

Confidence and ability to exercise sound judgement in a wide variety of circumstances, including making decisions with potentially significant consequences and dealing with confrontational or emotionally demanding customers          

Good organisational skills; able to plan, prioritise and carry out tasks in accordance with service standards, targets and deadlines

Self-motivated and self-disciplined, demonstrating a diligent approach to completion and recording of tasks         

Able to research and investigate traders/trade practices and to produce written reports within set timescales/deadlines         

Understanding of/willingness to work within statutory and organisational procedural requirements and best practice, including those relating to gathering of evidence, health & safety, data protection, security of sensitive information, safeguarding of vulnerable adults/children          

Able to work on own initiative, as part of a team, or collaboratively with partner agencies/organisations     

Sufficiently competent in IT to make effective use of email, internet, standard office applications and relevant databases 

Enthusiastic and willing to work flexibly, including working outside normal office hours if necessary           

Sufficient mobility to travel within/outside the County, enter a range of commercial and domestic premises (both indoors and outdoors) and carry equipment necessary for the role