Trading Standards Enforcement Officer in London

Main Duties

• Prioritise complaints and enquiries from businesses and consumers and respond to or investigate them in accordance with Service policies.

When appropriate, gather evidence and investigate breaches of Trading Standards legislation across the full remit of the law, including statutory codes such as PACE, RIPA and CPIA.

Prepare infringement reports thoroughly and timely and give evidence in court when required.

• Enforce Trading Standards legislation by carrying out inspections of trading premises to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
• Undertake project work, respond flexibly to emerging issues, manage project budgets and direct staff as necessary to help the Service deliver the business plan and meet customer service priorities.
• Actively gather intelligence on business malpractice, contribute to tactical assessments and make proposals for action to reduce consumer harm.
• Provide a high level of customer service, including advice to businesses, communities and consumers on legislation, Trading Standards activities and business systems.
• Liaise and work effectively with partner organisations to resolve problems, gather information and represent the Service when required.
• Make decisions based upon council and Service policies and procedures.
• Undertake other relevant and reasonable duties as defined by line managers, including occasional out‑of‑hours work appropriate to grade.
• Gain and maintain a level of professional knowledge and competence relevant to the post.
• Ensure data and information is stored securely, distributed and destroyed appropriately in accordance with government guidelines.
• Conduct many functions of the Service with little support and supervision, giving complex advice and leading on more complex enforcement across a broad range of legislation.
• Lead on projects, control the allocated budget and direct other officers as required.
• Support other officers in their day‑to‑day work.
• Develop specialist skills or knowledge in a particular legislative area core to the Service’s work.
• Work with partner organisations where appropriate.
• Conditions of Service
• Normal local government conditions apply. The post holder may be required to work outside normal office hours, including weekends and public holidays, on occasion.
• The post holder will need to be able to undertake lone enforcement duties.
• The duties of this post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility.
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others affected by what you do or do not do.
• Cooperate on all issues involving health and safety.
• Use work items provided correctly, in accordance with training and instructions, and do not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety or welfare.
• Report any health and safety concerns to your line manager as soon as practicable.
• Selection Criteria

Educational achievements, Qualifications, Training and Knowledge

• Five GCSEs or ‘O’ levels at grade C or better.
• Knowledge of and ability to write professional business letters and reports.
• Knowledge of basic maths, including decimal places.
• Knowledge and use of Microsoft applications.
• Interest in consumer rights and consumer protection matters.
• Ability to travel to a variety of locations.

Experience

• Job related aptitude and skills

• Customer

Focus: Possession of good customer service skills, ability to deal with difficult customers and confrontational situations, balance achieving the best outcome for customers with available resources.

• Approachability: ready to consult and share information, communicate with sensitivity and understanding, self‑awareness, and ability to reflect and learn from previous situations.
• Teamwork: An effective team member, understanding what makes a good team, confidence to ask for and listen to the ideas of others and share your own, ability to prioritise work and work with colleagues to achieve a positive outcome.
• Commercial: Ability to make decisions so resources are used effectively and best value is achieved, bring energy, commitment, and proactive improvement opportunities, manage workload to meet targets and deadlines, take a proactive and flexible approach, work on own initiative, stay calm under pressure.
• Adaptability: Ability to work in an organised manner, prioritise, meet tight deadlines, work remotely without close supervision, adapt to different situations and deal with people at all levels.
• Special Requirements
• Willingness to undertake training to become competent in legal controls and Codes of Practice such as PACE, RIPA, CPIA.
• Ability and willingness to work outside office hours and out of doors in adverse weather conditions.
• Commitment to, and understanding of, the principles of Equal Opportunities for all, in employment and the delivery of services.
• Additional Educational achievements, Qualifications, Training and Knowledge
• CSCATS or DCA part 1 or BSc/BA Consumer Protection or other related qualification.
• DCATS, Diploma in Consumer Affairs or relevant degree.
• Knowledge of legal controls and Codes of Practice governing law enforcement such as PACE, RIPA, CPIA.
• Knowledge of council and Service policies or procedures.
• Additional Experience
• Experience of investigating criminal offences and compiling reports for consideration of legal action, including taking witness statements and interviewing under PACE Act and Codes.
• Experience of working for other enforcement agencies and using bespoke databases.
• Job related aptitude and skills: Customer Focus, Experience of working with difficult/diverse customers, willingness to develop and improve, commercial analysis of complex information and ability to motivate customers and colleagues to achieving compliance/meeting goals.
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