Specialist Trading Standards Officer in Chelmsford

Essex Trading Standards is looking for a highly motivated person to join its team as a Specialist Trading Standards Officer leading on Fair Trading. Essex is one of the largest Shire Counties in the UK with a population of just over 1.8 million and over 25,000 diverse business premises. While we look to support legitimate business activity wherever we can, we don’t shy away from taking on difficult and complex Trading Standards criminal investigations. We will use all tools available to us to ensure businesses in Essex are trading fairly and that those that choose to break the law are investigated and brought to compliance.

In this role you will be taking an operational lead on fair-trading matters and while you will have no direct line management responsibility (unless conducting a specific project) you will be providing guidance, support and training to other officers across the service. You’ll be dealing with the more complex issues and providing strategic updates and recommendations to service managers to ensure we are always performing to the highest standards. You will be responsible for overseeing all fair trading activity including the completion of our plans and statutory returns and will represent the authority both regionally and nationally.

You will need to be a fully qualified and experienced Trading Standards Officer holding either the DCATS, DTS or equivalent. We are looking for someone with significant current experience and expertise in fair trading including managing complex cases, doorstep crime response, legal process including disclosure and acquisition of communications data including RIPA. You will also have management oversight of the services secure evidence procedures and stores. You’ll be working in one of three multi-functional teams responsible for handling all incoming demand one week in three – so a good working knowledge of Trading Standards legislation is desirable.

You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to deal confidently with a range of stakeholders – including taking a lead role developing our existing relationships with the police and being the Trading Standards lead on the Essex Multi Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF) initiative. You’ll be equally comfortable working both alone and as part of a team of Trading Standards professionals across the whole service. Excellent organisational skills are a must together with the ability to assess, prioritise workload and hit agreed deadlines. You will hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car that can be used for work.

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means. Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.