Principal Trading Standards Officer

North Somerset Council; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension

Opportunities for professional develop

Inclusive Staff groups including Carer

10 extra annual leave days

In house Wellbeing Team

Cycle to Work / EV salary sacrifice

Job summary

North Somerset Council is seeking a dedicated Principal Trading Standards Officer to join our Trading Standards Service in Weston-super-Mare. You will undertake a wide range of functions including investigations, premises inspections, business advice, and food standards enforcement.

The role requires a Diploma in Trading Standards (or equivalent), excellent communication, and a commitment to ongoing professional development within a flexible, hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of undertaking Trading Standards investigations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Investigation of criminal offences and inspection of business premises.
• Provision of business advice and food standards enforcement.
• Deliver partnership working and respond to challenges such as illicit trading.

Skills

Trading Standards investigations

Education

Diploma in Trading Standards (or equivalent)

Job description

Welcome to North Somerset Council’s Web Recruitment page where you will find details of our current vacancies.

If you experience any issues completing your application, or require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please call the Human Resources Team on 01275 888788 or email [e-mail].

To advertise on this page, please contact Human Resources.

work_outline Basis Full time

Job profile for Principal Trading Standards Officer

Principal Trading Standards Officer

location_on Weston-super-Mare 08/10/2026 Principal Trading Standards Officer Apply online

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary Level 9:- £44,253 - £49,817 per annum Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Package Permanent - 27 days annual leave per annum, rising to 32 days per annum after 5 years' service - Flexible Worker Job category/type Trading Standards Date posted 25/09/2026 Job reference HSCA0098 Attachments attachment 20260925 - Job Family - Principal Trading Standards Officer - HSCA0098.pdf

Job description

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Principal Trading Standards Officer to join our Trading Standards Service.

Alongside the Council’s highly motivated team of officers, you will undertake a wide range of trading standards functions including:

• investigation of criminal offences,
• inspection of a wide range of business premises,
• provision of business advice,
• food standards enforcement.

You will be familiar with the intelligence-led ethos of a modern trading standards service, able to confidently initiate and deliver effective partnership working and familiar with the wide range of challenges which the Team is tasked with addressing, such as organised crime, illicit tobacco and rogue trading.

You must be a good team player, boasting excellent interpersonal and communication skills, yet equally able to meet challenging deadlines under your own initiative. The duties of the post require a commitment to undertake continuing professional development and working flexibly as and when circumstances demand.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about Trading Standards, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Proven track record of undertaking Trading Standards investigations
• Relevant Trading Standards qualification, such as the Diploma in Trading Standards (or equivalent)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable Criteria:

• Food Standards qualified/competent
• Weights & Measures qualified/competent

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet .

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Gareth Mellors, Trading Standards Manager, at [e-mail]

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.