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- Tasks: Protect communities by tackling illicit tobacco and underage sales through investigations and partnerships.
- Company: Join Surrey's Trading Standards Team, committed to fairness and community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26-31 days holiday, remote work options, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of legislation, conflict resolution, and investigative skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 36873 - 41400 £ per year.
The starting salary for this role is £36,873 per annum for working 36 hours per week. We are hiring an Illicit Tobacco and Under Age Sales Officer to join our Trading Standards Team in Surrey, based at Woodhatch Place, Reigate. This role is open to remote working meaning you aren't required in the office 5 days a week.
Our Offer to You:
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
About the Role:
Trading Standards protects individuals, communities and businesses from harm and financial loss and helps businesses to thrive by maintaining a fair trading environment. We enforce over 200 pieces of legislation and regulations and we are intelligence informed, helping us to determine what areas of work to focus on. The team helps to protect the most vulnerable residents within Buckinghamshire and Surrey by tackling fraudulent, illegal and unfair trading practices, with a particular focus on activities to disrupt criminal activity. We enable businesses to get the help and support they need to thrive and grow and work to improve regulatory compliance to ensure a level playing field. We improve wellbeing and public health through tackling the supply of unsafe, dangerous or age restricted products.
In this role you will devise and carry out interventions to contribute to the age restricted sales regime. This will include liaison with a variety of enforcement partners and organisations including public health, the police and His Majesty's Revenue & Customs. You will have responsibility for leading underage sales operations, conducting visits to businesses to assess their compliance in respect to the sales of illicit tobacco, vapes, knives and nitrous oxide. Additionally, you will investigate incidents of non-conformity.
Your Application:
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- An ability to understand, interpret and apply relevant legislation governing the work in this area
- An ability to provide statutory advice and guidance to businesses relating to illicit goods
- An ability to confidently engage in difficult and complex conversations with a variety of audiences
- Experience of de-escalating conflict and difficult situations
- A proven ability to manage your own priorities and workloads
- An ability to investigate non-conformities and to use a variety of databases and systems to record actions and outcomes appropriately
The role holder will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 10/02/2026 with interviews to follow.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR):
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment:
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Illicit Tobacco and Underage Sales Officer employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Illicit Tobacco and Underage Sales Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its values before your interview. Research Surrey County Council's Trading Standards Team and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be engaging in complex conversations, it’s crucial to articulate your thoughts clearly. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen your ability to handle difficult discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage priorities and workloads. Think of specific situations where you successfully navigated challenges, especially in compliance or enforcement roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Illicit Tobacco and Underage Sales Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure your application highlights the skills mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can interpret legislation and provide guidance on illicit goods. Use specific examples from your experience to back up your claims!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point. This will help us understand your qualifications without getting lost in the details.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see that you’ve tailored your application specifically for this role. Mention how your past experiences align with the responsibilities of the Illicit Tobacco and Underage Sales Officer position.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate, so give it a go!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation governing illicit tobacco and underage sales. Being able to discuss specific laws and how they apply to the role will show that you're serious about the position and understand the complexities involved.
✨Prepare for Complex Conversations
This role involves engaging in difficult conversations with various stakeholders. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated tough discussions or de-escalated conflicts. Practising these scenarios can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Investigative Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience with investigating non-conformities. Prepare specific examples of how you've used databases and systems to track actions and outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to manage priorities and workloads effectively.
✨Highlight Your Community Impact
The role is all about making a difference in the community. Think about how your previous work has positively impacted others, especially in terms of public health and safety. Sharing these stories will resonate well with the interviewers and align with their mission.
