Senior Trading Standards Officer

Sefton Council; Sefton; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a skilled Trading Standards professional for a pivotal role at the heart of Public Protection.

You will support the management and development of Trading Standards activities, directing enforcement across product safety, age restricted sales, rogue traders and border control at the Port.

The role requires leadership, investigative expertise and the ability to work with partners, with the flexibility to supervise and guide frontline officers.

Responsibilities

• Intelligence led enforcement with a Trading Standards focus
• Product Safety enforcement
• Age restricted sales and illicit tobacco/vapes enforcement
• Border Control and safeguarding the animal feed chain
• Rogue Traders investigations and doorstep crime prevention
• Risk based compliance visits (fair trading, metrology and safety)
• Counterfeit goods and IP crime
• Animal Health & licensing

Job description

• Employer: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
• Salary: Grade J, SCP 36 - 39, £47,181 to £50,269 per annum (pay award pending)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 36 hours per week.
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 30/09/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: HPP/26/344437

About the Role

This is a pivotal role at the heart of Public Protection. Contributing to the management and development of Trading Standards activities and ensuring compliance with duties, the postholder will be involved in a broad range of enforcement and regulatory functions including;

• Intelligence led enforcement, investigative approach to all consumer complaints with a Trading Standards criminal element
• Product Safety
• Age restricted sale and the enforcement of legislation relating to illicit tobacco and vapes
• Border Control - protecting the UK market from unsafe consumer goods and ensuring integrity of the animal feed chain at the country’s 4 th largest Port and largest Animal feed port
• Rouge Traders investigations and doorstep crime prevention
• Risk based compliance visits (fair trading, metrology and safety)
• Counterfeit goods and intellectual property crime
• Animal Health & licensing

The role requires strong leadership, investigative expertise and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of partners. Managing a fast-paced workload with professionalism, discretion and confidence to protect consumers and support legitimate businesses.

You will also provide ad-hoc support to the Principal TSO and Section Manager. This role requires someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, can anticipate needs and an organised approach to managing different priorities.

The key responsibilities include:

• To provide operational resilience and technical support for the Principal Trading Standards Officer.
• Undertake supervisory responsibilities, be expected to stand in/deputise for the Principal Trading Standards Officer when required and provide a high level of technical expertise in Trading Standards matters, leading in one or more specific areas.
• Undertake often complex investigations / inspections / interventions to promote and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and associated guidance, including taking appropriate formal action.
• Lead / undertake the investigation of complex /multi-disciplinary cases regarding contraventions of relevant legislation
• Providing oversight, advice and guidance to front line officers, colleagues and elected members
• The ability to prioritise tasks effectively and efficiently to ensure satisfactory outcomes in a timely manner.
• Handling sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and discretion
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office package including Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.

This role suits someone who is passionate about delivering excellent services, committed to maintaining high standards, and confident working both independently and collaboratively.

Please see Appendix A (page 10) for a full copy of the Job Description and Person Specification.

The closing date for this vacancy is Wednesday 30 th September 2026 (or earlier in the event of high volume of applications being received).

Provisional interview dates week commencing Monday 19 th October 2026.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential.We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.

Consider registering for Sefton@work

If you’re an unemployed Sefton resident, register with our Sefton@Work service for free support to help you into employment. You may be eligible for extra assistance such as funding for travel, work clothing, or vouchers to make starting your new job easier. Call Sefton@Work on0151 934 2610 or visitseftonatwork.net to find out more and get started today!