Trading Standards Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job Description                    Trading Standards Officer

General

We are looking for an experienced Trading Standards Professional to join our south London local authority client on a temporary basis.  We contract is for an initial three months, but is likely to be extended.  Previous experience in Lettings Agency work would be an advantage

Main purpose of post

To play a key role in the design and operational delivery of a wide range of Trading Standards focused initiatives; which deliver positive community safeguarding outcomes on behalf of local citizens, stakeholders and partner organisations and implement and enforce appropriate legislation in order to establish and maintain a fair and safe trading environment.

Post-holders will be required to respond to service requests, carry out routine inspections and conduct detailed investigations in order to address breaches of the relevant legislative framework.

Key Unit Accountabilities

1. To play a key role in the design and operational delivery of a wide range of Trading Standards focused initiatives; which deliver positive community safeguarding outcomes on behalf of local citizens, stakeholders and partner organisations.

2. To carry out inspection duties under the full range of legislation enforced by the Trading Standards Team, deal with any follow up work and represent the Authority at Court as required. This will require lone working and dealing with clients on contentious issues on site.

3. To assist the Principal Trading Standards Officer with the development of project plans, policies and protocols etc.

4. To participate in promotion of fair trading/community safety initiatives and business education activities.

5. To act as an authorised officer for specified legislation and undertake inspections, visits and regulatory activity to ensure compliance with all relevant consumer protection / trading standards legislation.

6. To investigate consumer complaints and deliver proactive preventative activity (pre-planned investigations, sampling programmes etc) designed to improve levels of statutory compliance within the borough.

7. To plan, manage, organise and report on a wide range of operational activity; including underage test purchasing, compliance operations and routine inspections.

8. To work with partner organisations (Metropolitan Police, UK Border Agency etc) to co-ordinate regulatory activity which achieves the relevant service performance targets and contributes towards the achievement of broader community safeguarding objectives / outcomes.

9. To play a key role in the delivery of the ‘responsible authority’ functions (Trading Standards) in line with the provisions outlined within the Licensing Act 2003 and associated regulatory guidance.

10. To produce licence review documents/representations, give evidence to the Licensing Sub Committee and local Magistrates courts and promote the licensing objectives in line with the Council licensing policy.

11. Provide advice and guidance on the requirements of Trading Standards related legislation to consumers, community groups, commercial enterprises, trade associations, charities and Council Directorates where appropriate.

12. To prepare articles for publication in the media and represent the division in media presentations and represent the Trading Standards service at internal and external Council meetings as directed by TSM.

13. To establish and maintain liaison and strong links with the Police, Community Safety Section, trade and consumer organisations, other local authorities, Central Government departments, Courts and other bodies as appropriate to the work of the section.

14. To keep abreast of current developments and recommend changes in legislation and consumer information relevant to the work of the section and to communicate these to the TS team when relevant.

15. To be responsible for the care and custody of photographic, laboratory and technical equipment and take the appropriate responsibility for handling cash, cheques, giro cheques, goods and valuables.

16. To develop and adopt innovative approaches in investigating problem areas and develop existing policy where necessary in line with the legislative framework.

17. These responsibilities may vary from time to time in accordance with the needs of the service,

18. The postholder will at all times carry out the duties of the post with due regard to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

19. The postholder may be required to meet the needs of the council during times of civil emergency.

20. Work flexibly in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of the post as directed by the Statutory Services Manager, the post holder should also be prepared to work outside of normal hours, including attending evening meetings, and occasional weekend working.

21. Take responsibility, relevant to the post, for ensuring that Council statutes and government legislation are upheld. This includes, amongst others; Management Compliance Charter, Environmental Policy, Data Protection Act, Race Equality Action Plan, Quality Assurance Plan, Health & Safety, Sustainable Construction and Recycling.

22. Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act, and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, standing orders and financial regulations.

23. Take responsibility, appropriate to the post for tackling racism and promoting good race, ethnic and community relations.

24. The job holder’s decision making authority is determined by Council policy and procedures

25. The post holder is required to hold a standard DBS certification from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Additional duties

To carry out inspection duties under the full range of legislation enforced by the Trading Standards Team, deal with any follow up work and represent the Authority at Court as required. This will require lone working and dealing with clients on contentious issues on site.

To deal with complaints relating to work areas covered by the Team, investigate breaches of Trading Standards legislation, identify and recommend appropriate courses of action.

To provide the PTSO with reports, information, advice or guidance as required.

To participate in regional liaison groups as required.

To assist the PTSO in the development of project plans, policies and protocols etc.

To represent the TS service at meetings with other Local Authorities or outside bodies as directed.

Work with contract or agency staff on programmed activities.

To produce accurate statistics and data on work undertaken.

To deal with complex/serious complaints and breaches of Trading Standards legislation relating to work areas covered by the Team, identify and action appropriate remedies

To assist the Principal Trading Standards Officer in the development of project plans, policies and protocols etc.

Meet individual work programmes and work targets.

To undertake and manage project based work as directed by the Principal Trading Standards Officer

Develop expertise in a specialist area of Trading Standards and consumer protection work and update staff on area of expertise.

To advise national businesses on practical and legal problems and liaise at all levels with manufacturers, exporters and producers to ensure compliance with national and EC legislation.