Trading Standards Project Officer - Tobacco and Vapes

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Chelmsford is looking for a Trading Standards Project Officer to enforce vape and tobacco regulations. The successful candidate will conduct investigations, support businesses in compliance, and handle enforcement actions. This full-time, fixed-term role offers a chance to positively impact the community and requires a proactive, knowledgeable individual. A valid driving license and mobility are essential for this community-based position.

Qualifications

• Educated to RQF level 3 or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in relevant professional area.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Trading Standards legislation and enforcement procedures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations and gathering evidence for enforcement activities.
• Work collaboratively with enforcement agencies like Police and District Councils.
• Train and support staff in Trading Standards procedures.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Knowledge of Trading Standards legislation

Experience in enforcement roles

Education

Educated to RQF level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Trading Standards databases

Job description

Overview

Trading Standards Project Officer - Tobacco and Vapes

Fixed Term, Full Time

£26,601 to £31,295 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 28 September 2025

About the role

Essex Trading Standards is looking for a highly motivated individual to take on a vital role in enforcing vape and tobacco regulations. This is more than just a job - it\'s your chance to make a lasting impact on the Essex community, ensuring fairness, compliance, and public safety. If you\'re ready to take on a rewarding challenge with clear career progression and want to be proud of the difference you make, this is the opportunity you\'ve been waiting for. Join us and be part of something meaningful!

This role is offered as a 3 year Fixed Term Contract. As an \'Community Based Worker\' position, the role will involve a combination of remote, community and office based working. There will be an expectation for you to attend the office based at County Hall, Chelmsford approximately 1-2 days per week in addition to \'as and when\' there is a business need.

The Role

Trading Standards is responsible for supporting legitimate business activity by providing advice and support, encouraging economic development and prosperity and helping to create a level playing field. We protect the economic interests of Essex residents (particularly the more vulnerable members of community) by using all the tools available to swiftly and effectively tackle rogue traders and businesses that cause the most consumer detriment. We adopt an intelligence led approach to enforcing a broad range of Trading Standards legislation including fair trading, underage sales, food and product safety, animal health and welfare to name just a few.

The Trading Standards Project Officer - Tobacco and Vapes role will focus on the enforcement of rules regulating vapes and tobacco, including the supply of illegal/illicit products and tackling age restricted sales to children. The role will provide information, advice, and assistance on Trading Standards law to businesses based in Essex. The role includes undertaking visits alone to inspect businesses for compliance, providing guidance and support, and when necessary, gathering of evidence and compiling prosecution reports.

The role contributes to the achievement of service and community objectives including, the reduction of crime and disorder; reducing anti-social behaviour; improving health and wellbeing; and promoting a fair trading environment throughout the County of Essex, by enforcing civil and criminal Trading Standards laws in an effective, efficient and impartial way.

About you

You will have:

• Educated to RQF level 3 or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Demonstrable knowledge of relevant Trading Standards legislation, enforcement procedures and protocols and experience of working in a regulatory or legal environment.
• Excellent communication skills with a range of internal and external stakeholders including colleagues, managers, elected members, partners, and business representatives.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to keep accurate, concise, and legally admissible records and notes.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and ability to use bespoke Trading Standards databases e.g., Intelligence Database (IDB) and Civica APP/Cx trader database and livestock movement and enforcement databases.
• Previous experience of working in an enforcement type role will be highly desirable.

Essential requirements

• This role requires the postholder to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond. Driving licence and a vehicle, or ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means, is essential.

What you will be doing

• Conduct investigations and other enforcement activities; including gathering evidence, seizure of illegal/illicit goods, PACE interviews and preparing notes, statements, and prosecution reports on the more serious infringements in line with the Trading Standards Investigation Protocol and when necessary, giving evidence in court.
• Work collaboratively with other enforcement agencies (such as the Police, HMRC, UKBF), District Councils, Parish Councils, and politicians, and representing the Council at external meetings such as Alcohol Licensing Reviews.
• Enforcement of rules regulating vapes and tobacco, including the supply of illegal/illicit products and tackling age restricted sales to children. Train and support staff at various levels including trainees and other Trading Standards Officers. Maintain own competency and keep abreast of latest changes and developments in subject area.
• Carry out unaccompanied visits to businesses in order to ensure compliance with legislation, provide advice and guidance and using autonomy to decide on the most appropriate remedy for non-compliances at the time of visit.
• Provide consultancy services quotations, customer relationships management and manage agreed sums of petty cash and p-card transactions to ensure ECC financial policies are complied with, all spend is auditable and income generating opportunities are maximized.
• Consult with members of the public and complainants to gather intelligence and provide updates on progress made with enquiries and complaints.
• Carry out a range of enforcement activities as part of a team (e.g., \'test purchasing\' operations of age restricted products), to ensure that businesses are following current trading standards legislation and best practice and recommending appropriate action where required.
• Collate and accurately record work undertaken and prepare accurate and concise guidance letters to businesses and consumers/local residents to ensure guidance comply with trading standards legislation.
• Assist in the development, planning and delivery of enforcement projects, and take an active role in managing projects where appropriate to ensure project goals are met and that outcomes align with the initial objectives.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.