Fair Trading Officer

Full Vacancy Description

• To ensure a fair and safe trading environment for consumers and businesses
• Carrying out comprehensive inspections of trade premises
• Advising traders and consumers of their rights and obligations
• Investigating complaints and service demands
• Developing and implementing projects and initiatives
• Supporting the Council’s Crime Reduction Strategy by the enforcement of legislation in relation to unfair trading practices in partnership with other agencies
• Increasing awareness of consumer protection through project initiatives within the department’s Service Plan.
• Provide written and verbal advice and assistance to traders on trading standards matters, including advice on their rights and obligations and the interpretation of trading standards legislation, advice on business systems
• Carrying out programmed risk based and project based inspections of a wide variety of trade premises, with a view to ensuring compliance with trading standards legislation
• Undertaking age related enforcement inspections and to supervise children engaged in the test purchase of age controlled goods
• To update the Services' database
• Instigate formal/informal action against businesses for breaches of legislation, including preparing reports for Court and evidence gathering
• To apply for entry warrants in Court when appropriate
• Prepare letters, reports, memoranda and notices as part of any case work including issuing suspension notices or seizing goods where public safety is involved and the seizure of high value items, e.g. counterfeit products
• Identify, investigate and report where necessary, infringements arising from inspections, complaints and enquiries. This will include the production of prosecution case files and attending and giving evidence in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts when required. As part of this process you may be required to serve, in person, summons on defendants
• Undertake all enforcement activity in accordance with Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), Criminal Procedures and Investigation Act (CPIA), Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and Departmental procedures
• Prepare case papers for written assurances and injunctive action in the County and High Courts
• Carrying out the duties of an authorised officer under the Road Traffic Acts dealing with the check weighing of goods vehicles for overloading
• Act as Home Authority Officer, in accordance with the LACORS principle, forming suitable business partnerships whilst providing advice and assistance on Trading Standards legislation appropriate to the business
• Liaising and advising effectively with colleagues at a range of levels within the department, other council departments and with Police, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and other similar organisations
• To prepare and present talks and training on the work of the Trading Standards service and legislation enforced to a range of both internal and external audiences
• Assisting in developing policies and best practice for preventing and minimising crime
• Participate in awareness raising campaigns with partner agencies to reduce crime
• Prepare press releases, articles for trade publications, members bulletins etc in association with the work of the department and outcomes of Court cases
• To participate in training to be able to demonstrate competence.
  Participating in the ongoing development, implementation and monitoring of the service plans.
• Championing the professional integrity of the Trading Standards service
• Supporting Customer Focus, Best Value and electronic management of processes.
• Actively sharing feedback on Trading Standards policies and interventions.
• To assist and train new members of staff to become effective team members.
• To represent the team on appropriate specialist co ordinating groups (e.g. SWLFTG, Safety Group etc).