Specialist Trading Standards Officer

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council seeks a motivated Specialist Trading Standards Officer to lead fair trading operations. This full-time role offers a mix of hybrid working and involves oversight of fair trading activities, strategic guidance, and collaboration with various stakeholders. Applicants must hold DCATS or DTS qualifications and possess excellent communication skills.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Employee benefits for unpaid carers

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in fair trading and managing complex cases required.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare.

Responsibilities

• Lead on operational fair trading matters and provide guidance to officers.
• Manage complex trading standards investigations and strategic updates.
• Oversee fair trading activity and represent the authority regionally.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

DCATS or DTS or equivalent

Job description

Client:

Essex County Council

Location:

Job Category:

Other

Virtual job fairs

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

9b9129a4319a

Job Views:

3

Posted:

02.06.2025

Expiry Date:

17.07.2025

Job Description:

Specialist Trading Standards Officer

Permanent

Full Time, 37 hours per week

Up to £51,430 per annum

Working Style:

This position will be a mix of hybrid working of home/ field / office based on a flexible basis.

Virtual job fairs

Essex Trading Standards is looking for a highly motivated person to join its team as a Specialist Trading Standards Officer leading on Fair Trading.

Essex is one of the largest Shire Counties in the UK with a population of just over 1.8 million and over 25,000 diverse business premises. While we look to support legitimate business activity wherever we can, we don’t shy away from taking on difficult and complex Trading Standards criminal investigations. We will use all tools available to us to ensure businesses in Essex are trading fairly and that those that choose to break the law are investigated and brought to compliance.

In this role you will be taking an operational lead on fair-trading matters and while you will have no direct line management responsibility (unless conducting a specific project) you will be providing guidance, support and training to other officers across the service. You’ll be dealing with the more complex issues and providing strategic updates and recommendations to service managers to ensure we are always performing to the highest standards. You will be responsible for overseeing all fair trading activity including the completion of our plans and statutory returns and will represent the authority both regionally and nationally.

You will need to be a fully qualified and experienced Trading Standards Officer holding either the DCATS, DTS or equivalent. We are looking for someone with significant current experience and expertise in fair trading including managing complex cases, doorstep crime response, legal process including disclosure and acquisition of communications data including RIPA. You will also have management oversight of the services secure evidence procedures and stores. You’ll be working in one of three multi-functional teams responsible for handling all incoming demand one week in three – so a good working knowledge of Trading Standards legislation is desirable.

You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to deal confidently with a range of stakeholders – including taking a lead role developing our existing relationships with the police and being the Trading Standards lead on the Essex Multi Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF) initiative. You’ll be equally comfortable working both alone and as part of a team of Trading Standards professionals across the whole service. Excellent organisational skills are a must together with the ability to assess, prioritise workload and hit agreed deadlines. You will hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car that can be used for work.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about ) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

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Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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