Specialist Trading Standards Officer - Animal Health and Feed

In this role you will be taking an operational lead on animal health and agriculture and while you will have no direct line management (unless conducting a specific project) responsibility you will be providing guidance and support 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 animal health and agriculture activity including the completion of our plans and statutory returns and will represent the authority both regionally and nationally.

Accountabilities

You will need to be a fully qualified and experienced Trading Standards Officer holding either the DCATS, DTS or equivalent. While qualification and competency in animal health and agriculture would be an advantage it is not essential. We are looking for someone with existing experience and expertise in Animal Health and Feed but would be willing to consider applications from qualified Trading Standards Officers wishing to upskill in one of these disciplines and will provide training and support to enable this to happen. 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) and 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.

We’ll support you to be to your best, with the resources, training and development to empower you. Flexible working options and other lifestyle benefits will enable you to make the most of your life outside work too.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF level 5 in the full range of Trading Standards responsibilities (including food standards, fair trading, animal health and welfare and product safety) together with a Postgraduate Diploma in Trading Standards or equivalent professional qualification.

• Evidence of continuing professional development and demonstrable expert knowledge in relevant professional areas with a lead assessor or equivalent qualification. Membership of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

• Be a class leading specialist with experience of attending national/regional groups providing expert knowledge in a specific area or areas of Trading Standards law.

• Significant experience of carrying out a range of Trading Standards investigations and submitted infringement reports that satisfied Trading Standards policy, process and quality criteria.

• Excellent communication skills with experience of working collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders including colleagues, managers, elected members, partners, business representatives, national organisations and other enforcement agencies and Government departments.

• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders, supply chains and partners to ensure service objectives are met and to maximise outcomes for Essex residents and businesses.

• Demonstrable experience of successful project management delivering desired outcomes for Essex residents and businesses. Proven experience of working as part of a team to achieve objectives.

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, manage and deliver complex workloads, including that of team members, as part of a project team, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to keep accurate, concise and legally admissible records and notes.

This position will be a mix of hybrid working of home/ field / office based on a flexible basis. Relocation package available, please visit working for Essex .