COMM ENT 5949 G2 Trainee Fair Trading Officer (600512)

South Lanarkshire Council; Hamilton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension scheme

Up to 33 days annual leave

Public holiday entitlement (up to 10)

Occupational sick pay

Flexible working and family friendly奶

Job summary

South Lanarkshire Council is recruiting a Trainee Fair Trading Officer for the Hamilton area. The role involves advising businesses and consumers, carrying out inspections and enforcement actions while developing competency to cover statutory duties.

The successful candidate should have a Diploma in Consumer Affairs or equivalent and be prepared to complete CTSI Professional Competency Framework if not qualified. 35 hours per week with a 8:45am-4:45pm pattern.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Trading Standards environment advising businesses and consumers.
• Ability to undertake inspections and resolve non-compliances by formal and informal means.
• Willingness to complete CTSI Professional Competency Framework if qualifications are not held.
• Excellent communication skills and motivation to protect consumers.

Responsibilities

• Carry out Statutory Enforcement and Advisory duties including Inspections, Advice, Investigations and Regulatory Compliance Action.
• Process licence, registration and approval applications.
• Investigate, action and report on compliance and non-compliance, prepare and serve Statutory Notices.
• Prepare reports as required by Line Managers, Senior Management and Procurators Fiscal.
• Maintain accurate and timeous records using relevant systems.
• Prepare and participate in lectures, talks and public exhibitions.
• Support less experienced staff to ensure proficiency in tasks.
• Assist with development and training of staff as required.
• Undertake active role in Health and Safety compliance.
• Liaise with other enforcement agencies on local matters.
• Represent the Service in internal/external working groups.

Skills

Advisory skills

Regulatory compliance

Inspection experience

Statutory enforcement

Education

Diploma in Consumer Affairs

Job description

Job Description

ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 11:55pm.

Location: Brandon Gate, 1 Leechlee Road, Hamilton, ML3 0XB

Hours: 35 hours per week

Work Pattern: Monday to Friday 8:45am 4:45pm

Salary: £29,326 - £38,779

The Service is seeking to appoint a Trainee Fair Trading Officer to fill a vacancy within one of our teams. Ideally the successful applicant should possess either a Diploma in Consumer Affairs or equivalent (ie FCATS or CSCATS) and have experience of working in a Trading Standards environment carrying out the duties of a Trainee Fair Trading Officer. This experience should include (but is not restricted to) advising businesses and consumers, undertaking proactive and or reactive inspections, resolving non compliances by both formal and informal criminal and civil means. Consideration will be given to suitable applicants who do not have the required qualification, however these candidates would be required to complete elements of the CTSI Professional Competency Framework. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and be motivated to make a difference for consumers and businesses. The successful candidate should be flexible in approach and will have the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge and experience in consumer protection.

• To carry out Statutory Enforcement and Advisory duties including Inspections, Advice, Investigations and Regulatory Compliance Action subject to the post holder possessing relevant qualifications, experience and established competencies.
• To process licence, registration and approval applications.
• To investigate, action and report on compliance and non-compliance, to prepare and serve Statutory Notices, and to use knowledge and experience to determine the appropriate course of action.
• Preparation of reports as required by Line Managers, Senior Management and Procurators Fiscal.
• Maintenance of accurate and timeous records of all activities using the Trading Standards recording system i.e., Authority Database, Officer's Notebooks, Trader Notification books and Time Recording System.
• Preparation and participation in lectures, talks and public exhibitions to organisations and groups as required.
• To support less experienced staff to ensure they become proficient in practical tasks.
• Assisting with the development and training of staff as required.
• Undertaking an active role in ensuring the implementation of the provisions of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974 which affects the Trading Standards Service.
• Liaison with other enforcement agencies and bodies on local operational matters.
• To represent the Service at internal and external working groups as required.
• Undertake the specialist functions which may include out-of-hours working, ensuring regulatory compliance by a range of civil and criminal means. Subject to the post holder possessing the relevant qualifications, experience and established competencies.
• To carry out other duties appropriate to the post and other general Trading Standards Officer duties as required, in line with the needs of the organisation

Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.

Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.

Legislative Information

This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Scotland Act 2020.

This post is considered a Regulated Role with Children and/or Adults, in respect of the Disclosure Scotland Act 2020. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and/or Adults.

Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made.

Please refer to http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk for further information about the disclosure process and best practice.

Overseas Criminal Records Check

An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of 12 months in the past 10 years.

Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement

The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under‑represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position.

As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile

As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:

• Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
• To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
• Up to 33 days annual leave
• Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
• Occupational sick pay
• Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
• Employee Discounts - including discounts at the cinema.
• Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)

About Us

South Lanarkshire Council is the unitary authority serving the South Lanarkshire council area in Scotland. The council has its headquarters in Hamilton, has 16,000 employees, and a budget of almost £1bn. The large and varied geographical territory takes in rural and upland areas, market towns such as Lanark, Strathaven and Carluke, the urban burghs of Rutherglen, Cambuslang, and East Kilbride which was Scotland's first new town.

Our vision is for South Lanarkshire as set out in our Economic Strategy is to have one of the strongest and most dynamic economies in Scotland, where businesses, communities, and residents achieve their full potential and prosper.

We will achieve this through three key interrelated themes:

• People - skills, learning and employability
• Place - physical infrastructure and place
• Business - business development and growth