Trainee Trading Standards Officer in Leek Wootton

Are you interested in a career in consumer protection, regulation, and enforcement? We offer a fantastic opportunity to start your new career as a Trading Standards Professional by recruiting the next generation of Trading Standards Officers. Our trainee will work across animal health and welfare, fair trading, feed, food, product safety, and weights and measures. This role provides the chance to gain a recognised professional Level 6 qualification while developing a variety of skills and knowledge in investigative and enforcement work.

As a Trainee Trading Standards Officer, you will engage in activities to ensure a fair, safe, and legal trading environment. You will undertake training to achieve a Level 6 Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship, with additional qualifications attained while in post to support development as a Trading Standards Officer. You will be supported through a structured training programme with a talented and experienced team and have a defined career path to qualify as a Trading Standards Officer capable of working across disciplines such as animal health and welfare, environmental protection, fair trading, feed, food, product safety, and weights and measures.

• Conducting investigations, inspections and audits as part of the Trading Standards programme, including visiting farms, factories, and business premises to ensure compliance with legal standards and fair trading for Warwickshire residents.
• Sampling and testing: take samples and conduct test purchases of foods and consumer goods (e.g., toys, cosmetics, electrical items, and animal feed) to check against legal standards.
• Advising businesses: provide information, guidance, and advice on how to comply with legislation to help them trade fairly and legally.
• Protecting consumers: work with partners to protect consumers and businesses from frauds and scams, including tackling illegal tobacco, vapes, and underage sales.
• Investigating rogue traders: investigate rogue traders, prepare criminal cases, and give evidence in court, including seizing evidence, making contemporaneous records, and report writing.
• Collaborating with agencies: work with Trading Standards colleagues nationally and with other enforcement agencies (Police, HMRC, Environmental Health) and partner bodies such as the Office for Product Safety & Standards and Public Health, as well as internal colleagues.

Level 6 Apprenticeship: undertake the Level 6 Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship and have the opportunity to continue developing beyond qualification through specific training. Apprenticeship training is provided by the Credit Services Association (CSA).

• Education: A good standard of general education and the aptitude to study towards a professional qualification. Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (including Maths and English Language) and 2 A Levels or equivalent.
• Skills: First-class communication and customer service, high attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to understand and interpret complex legislation.
• Personal Qualities: Perseverance, patience, ability to assess situations quickly, a questioning mindset, and the ability to remain calm in difficult circumstances.
• Driving Licence: A full UK driving licence and use of your own vehicle is desirable for travel to various locations (pool cars are normally available during work activities).
• Language: The Fluency Duty is required; you must be able to speak and provide advice in accurate spoken English to the public, as outlined in the Code of Practice on English language requirements for public sector workers.

Warwickshire County Council values every employee and fosters an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment. We are committed to a vibrant economy and a great workplace where diverse and talented people can be their best. Our vision focuses on ensuring Warwickshire’s economy is supported by the right jobs, training, skills, and infrastructure. Your future matters to us: we offer a generous pension scheme with employer contributions typically around 19 percent per month, plus a benefits package for members and dependants. Benefits include agile working, substantial annual leave entitlement with bank holidays and an extra day at Christmas, plus access to Vivup benefits and discounts.