Trading Standards Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job Description                  Trading Standards Officer

To administer the full range of Trading Standards duties, including dealing with complaints, service requests, business advice, investigations, project work, sampling and routine inspections, achieving compliance with all statutory and non-statutory requirements, providing a high quality, continually improving and customer focussed service.

Provide complex assured legal advice, developing and delivering training to businesses on all aspects of Trading Standards law on behalf of the Council and any trading entity/commercial business operated by the Council.

Develop and lead the implementation of project work, proactive strategies and investigations to tackle the most challenging, complex and contentious matters of regional and national significance facing the service, including new service demands, statutory requirements, problem areas of trade and trading practice having regard to local needs, regional initiatives and Government strategies.

To act as the single point of contact for partner businesses in accordance with the Primary Authority scheme.

To maintain specialist portfolio knowledge of a major aspect/priority field of Trading Standards work, training and supervising other officers in that field as necessary.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

To maintain and extend an excellent up to date knowledge of Trading Standards legislation, best practice, competency and skill ensuring that staff are acquainted with them to facilitate a continually improving service that meets stakeholder needs.

To provide high quality, timely and accurate professional advice, guidance and information about all aspects of Trading Standards, to customers, colleagues, members of the public, Members of the Council, solicitors, and other professionals in a format that is understandable and appropriate.

To  properly  manage  evidence,  records  and  data  to  ensure  that  confidentiality, continuity, integrity, data quality, data protection and requests for information requirements are observed.

To deliver a range of services in accordance with legislation, codes of practice, corporate policies, local policies and guidance and good professional practice. This includes but is not limited to inspections, projects, surveys, alternative enforcement activities, publicity, attending meetings, processing applications, visits, investigating complaints and service requests, sampling, monitoring,  gathering   evidence,   making  test   purchases,  carrying   out   PACE interviews, taking  statements  and recommending appropriate action to TSLO and TSM.

To  undertake  consistent,  proportionate,  targeted,  accountable  and  transparent enforcement action,  in accordance with  best  practice advice  and  guidance  and enforcement policies, to resolve any identified non-compliances. This may include seizing goods, issuing prohibitions, preparing and serving statutory and fixed penalty notices and other legal documents, commensurate with the grade and post.

To prepare infringement/non-compliance reports and evidence for legal proceedings at Court, Tribunal or other statutory Hearing.

To give evidence as a witness at Court, Tribunal and/or other statutory Hearing as required.

To consider the impact on businesses, consumers, residents or others who might be affected by any enforcement or regulatory action.

To conduct investigations and other enforcement work in relation to infringements  of legislation, in compliance with the Police and Criminal  Evidence  Act (PACE),  the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), Criminal  Proceedings and Investigations Act (CPIA), Human Rights Act (HRA) and all relevant legislation.

To assist in the development of best practice policies and procedures by participating in internal audits, updating and developing processes, procedures and standard documents in order to ensure a continually improving service for stakeholders.

In conjunction with TSLO and TSM to formulate and implement proactive strategies for dealing with new service delivery and statutory requirements, developing and documenting appropriate policies and procedures having regard to local needs, regional initiatives and Government strategies.

To identify, develop and formalise Home Authority Partnerships with businesses trading in regional, national or international markets and provide comprehensive and accurate advice and support on all aspects of Trading Standards Legislation.

To work in accordance with Council policies, procedures, protocols, processes, risk assessments and relevant service plans.

To deal with the preparation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of clear, logical, accurate and timely reports, documents, spread sheets, data analysis and feedback.

To be a flexible and effective team member, supporting the service and its objectives by taking a flexible approach to work activities across the division, places of work, team changes, work systems, practices, case allocation, times and hours of work.

To work outside of normal office hours as required by TSLO and TSM and have a flexible approach to carrying out duties as required by service demands.

To provide an excellent level of customer care and deal sensitively and courteously with residents and other customers, traders, members of the public and their representatives.

To undertake customer satisfaction, stakeholder engagement and consultation surveys/exercises as directed by TSLO and TSM to review service priorities and satisfaction levels.

To represent the Council at meetings, both internal and external and liaise with other authorities, agencies, council services, service providers, government representatives, solicitors, other professionals, traders, residents and other customers, as appropriate.

To promote the service by giving presentations to consumer, business or voluntary organisations, participating in displays, and the development of work programmes designed to reach out to vulnerable groups and the socially excluded.

To provide guidance and support to Fair Trading Officers, and assist in the training of all Trading Standards staff, particularly in relation to professional qualifications.

To assist the Trading Standards Accredited Financial Investigator to carry out Proceeds of Crime Act enquiries, investigations and evidence gathering.

To actively support and encourage high professional standards and excellent service delivery ensuring that personal objectives and targets, inspections, projects, investigations and other work is delivered within time limits.

Ensure that personal objectives and targets, inspections, projects, investigations and other work are delivered within time limits.

To use computer-based databases and record keeping programmes to accurately enter and record information about work activities in a timely manner according to the Council's data quality principles.

To use computer terminals (desktop, handheld, fixed or mobile) to input information and access data as required to carry out the duties of the post.

To assist the TSM in the preparation of statutory plans and performance returns.

To develop and deliver training to businesses and other stakeholders across the full range of Trading Standards duties developing guidance documents and other information material suitable for distribution to businesses.

Carry out complex investigations into infringements and non-compliances including the Fraud Act, Trade Marks Act, CPRs, BPRs, product safety and similar legislation.

To maintain a specialist portfolio knowledge of a major aspect/priority field of Trading Standards work, leading on the implementation of work for that area including training and supervising other officers in that field as necessary, and advising TSLO/TSM and senior officers of the Council.

To work within the provisions of the Council's policies for Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Value for Money, Data Quality and Customer Care and to ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard to and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other related legislation.