Trading Standards Officer

We are looking for an experienced Trading Standards Officer to join our midlands based local authority client on a temporary basis.

Role Purpose:

1. To lead on investigations and projects; assist in tasking meetings to determine resources and network with other agencies and bodies, taking those tasks forward.
2. Support the team by ensuring work meets corporate objectives.
3. Successfully deliver projects/investigations efficiently, effectively, and on time.
4. Establish good working partnerships with all stakeholders to maximize resources.
5. Confidently make decisions and efficiently record work in the Council’s systems.
6. Represent trading standards at various levels within the council and externally.
7. Possess good IT skills for carrying out investigative work online.
8. As an Intelligence Led authority, possess an excellent skill set in working with the TS Intelligence Operating Model, capable of handling intelligence and submitting it to other agencies, with desirable skills in INTEL analysis.
9. Have an excellent working knowledge of both civil and criminal enforcement procedures under appropriate legislation, including issuing Fixed Penalty Notices.
10. Act as Home Authority for some companies and possess good business advisory skills across the TS legislative spectrum.
11. Report directly to the Principal TSO as trading standards expert and to the Business Compliance manager, leading other team members and agencies where appropriate.

Relationships:

1. Maintain and establish good working relationships with other enforcement agencies at all levels, including:
2. Internally – other regulatory services such as EH and licensing, community safety, Public Health, housing, adult social care, protecting vulnerable adults, benefits.
3. Externally – relevant police teams, ASA, Anti-Counterfeiting Group, Immigration, Action Fraud, LOTSA, NTS, other local authority agencies, HMRC.
4. Identify new contacts with other agencies to assist the Council in its work.

The Council operates an Agile Working policy, offering flexibility in how and where you operate to meet your work objectives. Outdoor work includes key project and investigative work, including business advice and Home Authority work. Some out-of-hours work may be required.

Technical Knowledge and Experience:

1. Minimum DCATS qualified or equivalent, including Weights and Measures, with at least two years post-qualification experience.
2. Detailed knowledge of trading standards legislation, including Fair Trading and Product Safety. (Food not required as not enforced by TS)
3. Skilled in handling intelligence, including analyzing and submitting 5x5x5s; ability to use Memex or equivalent is desirable.
4. Confident and competent in carrying out and leading investigations/projects, ensuring they meet set objectives.
5. Good working knowledge of APP [Flare] is desirable; good working disciplines in using databases for TS work is essential.