Trading Standards Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job description

Senior Regulatory Services Officer / Trading Standards Officer

We are looking for a Trading Standards Officer to join a north west England local authority Trading Standards department on a contract basis, to carry out a professional advisory, assessment/inspection and enforcement role in order to ensure the highest quality of service delivery and the maintenance of relevant competencies and professional standards. The post holder will liaise and co-operate with others to embrace and successfully deliver a flexible, joined-up, approach to service delivery across Regulatory Services and the department. 

Duties to include:

Carry out a full or very wide range of business assessment, inspection, survey and/or enforcement duties and support various areas of specialist work.

Conduct and/or oversee assessment/inspection and enforcement activity, maintain accurate records and prepare reports for complex cases in accordance with legislation, codes of practice and the highest standards of professional practice for presentation at Court, Public and Planning Enquiries and Licensing Hearings.

Take a lead role in developing and maintaining a customer-focused service by providing high quality advice and support to key stakeholders, including businesses, individuals and Members to promote business growth and to protect consumers and residents

Resolve complaints and disputes in accordance within statutory guidelines/requirements and council policy

Support the development of procedures for intelligence-led, streamlined, efficient and effectively targeted services, achieving best practice against external benchmarks in all aspects.

Develop and maintain effective contacts with partners, business and other stakeholders to ensure and promote a fair, safe and healthy environment and pro-actively promote the service and its products to all sectors, as appropriate

Supervise mentor and coach colleagues in order to support their professional development and build their generic and specialist knowledge and skill base, as appropriate.

Monitor and prepare performance information and assist in the preparation of statutory returns relevant to the areas of responsibility.

Develop and maintain an expertise in all areas designated to the post and attend relevant training courses as directed to maintain individual competences.

“Essential Requirements”

Qualifications:

5 GCSE’s, including English and Maths, minimum grade C or 4 or equivalent (Essential)

Degree or Diploma level recognised Trading Standards qualification including 3 of Animal Health, Food and Feed standards, and Product Safety, Metrology, Fraud (Essential)

Evidence of relevant professional competence 

Evidence of continuing professional development 

Member of the Trading Standards Institute 

Ability to travel throughout the borough and hold a full driving licence 

Knowledge & Skills:

Up to date working knowledge of legislation and Codes of Practice relevant to Trading Standards 

Good communication skills 

Able to plan, organise and prioritise individual work, tasks and projects 

Effective in problem analysis and practical decision making 

Investigation skills and business awareness 

Ability to work alone and as part of a team 

Commitment to providing good customer service 

Willingness and ability to attend meetings, undertake visits and inspections and provide cover outside normal office hours

Ability to travel throughout the borough 

Agreement to enhanced personal security checks and DBS. 

Flexible approach to new ways of working 

Political awareness and sensitivity 

Experience:

Demonstrable experience in Trading Standards disciplines including 3 or more of Animal Health, Food and Feed standards and Product Safety, Metrology, Fraud. 

Experience and knowledge of local authority procedures including Primary Authority.  

Experience of working in the public sector 

Strong IT skills including Microsoft packages

Other preferable/desirable details:

Any local authority/public sector experience

Any relevant qualifications held or being studied for