Trading Standards Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job description                  Trading Standards Officer

Purpose of role

To be responsible for duties across the Trading Standards agenda in order to regulate the trading environment relevant to delivering a comprehensive Trading Standards Service.

Role Specific Responsibilities

To take a lead role in relation to one or more of the Trading Standards statutes enforced by the service and provide support and advice to non-specialist officers as required.

To assess goods and services to ensure compliance with relevant law. This may include out of hours work.

Have an excellent knowledge of the range of legislation enforced by Trading Standards

Conduct sound regulatory and enforcement practice to professional standards and as authorised by the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager

To lead on and manage more complex and contentious cases as required

Contribute to and lead when required special projects and investigations as directed by the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager

Undertake inspections and searches of relevant premises either by prior arrangement or unannounced as required including weights and measures inspections. This may include out of hours work

To be prepared to respond to any emergency situation relating to the Service’s work if required

Respond to and investigate reports and complaints received under relevant criminal and civil law

Provide advice, information and assistance to businesses to help them comply with criminal and civil law

To attend and contribute to meetings, lectures, seminars and other training and development courses and to mentor, encourage and support the development of new or junior staff

Disseminate best practice as required

When required support other officers across the Directorate, for example Licensing or Environmental Health Officers 

Financial Responsibilities

To be responsible for the safe keeping of technical equipment and other departmental assets issued and employed in the course of discharging his or her duties

To contribute to income generation and process of collection of fees and charges as required

Administration and Customer Focus

Represent the Council in both criminal and civil proceedings

Represent the service at relevant committee meetings, corporate groups and external meetings and prepare reports for such meetings as required

Provide services in a customer focussed manner and in accordance with corporate customer care standards

Contribute to the preparation and execution of publicity, campaigns, education and prevention work as required

Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the role and in accordance with relevant procedures to the highest possible standards of conduct

To provide timely performance information and reports as required

Assist with the development of relevant protocols, procedures and service level agreements as required

Flexibility

A high degree of flexibility is required to deliver services effectively and work may be required to be performed not specifically referred to in this role profile. Such duties will fall within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade

The business environment does not solely operate, nor crime, disorder and anti social behaviour occur during traditional working hours. The post holder will be required to work flexibly in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the service. This may include weekend or evening working as part of the normal working week

Qualification Requirement

Diploma in Trading Standards or equivalent is desirable

Excellent numeracy, literacy and communication skills

Full clean current driving licence. Access to a vehicle is required for which a relevant vehicle allowance will be paid

Technical / Knowledge Requirements

Excellent IT skills being a competent user of all Microsoft packages. Ability to use bespoke corporate packages

Experience and knowledge of conducting sound regulatory and enforcement practice

Excellent administrative practice and experience of governance requirements

Good understanding of performance management

Experience of managing projects. Excellent reasoning and analytical skills

Excellent understanding and knowledge of Trading Standards legislation. Keep up to date with key international, national, regional and local policy developments and new legislation

Experience of working with a range of partners and organisations to achieve agreed goals

Excellent customer care in practice