Senior Trading Standards Officer

Job Description

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Senior Trading Standards Officer

Job Purpose

To play a lead role in the delivery of effective Trading Standards enforcement, regulatory compliance, and business support activities across Nottinghamshire. The post holder will undertake complex investigations, provide specialist advice to consumers and businesses, lead multi-agency operations and projects, and support the operational management of the service.

The role will also deputise for the Team Manager when required, ensuring the effective delivery of Trading Standards functions, team performance, and service objectives. Through proactive enforcement, education, intelligence gathering, and partnership working, the post holder will contribute to creating a fair, safe, and compliant trading environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Key Responsibilities

Enforcement & Investigation

• Enforce Trading Standards legislation through inspections, investigations, projects, advisory visits, and educational initiatives.
  
• Conduct and oversee complex criminal and civil investigations in accordance with relevant legislation and professional standards.
  
• Prepare case files, investigation reports, witness statements, and evidential documentation.
  
• Attend court proceedings and provide evidence when required.
  
• Ensure proper collection, handling, storage, and security of evidence.
  
• Conduct investigations in accordance with legislation relating to evidence, disclosure, surveillance, and regulatory enforcement.
  

Consumer & Business Support

• Provide specialist advice and guidance to consumers on complex consumer protection matters.
  
• Deliver detailed regulatory advice and compliance support to businesses.
  
• Act as a designated Primary Authority Liaison Officer where required.
  
• Support businesses in meeting legislative requirements and improving compliance standards.
  

Intelligence & Information Management

• Collect, assess, analyse, and disseminate intelligence in accordance with legal and organisational requirements.
  
• Contribute to the Service’s tasking and coordination processes.
  
• Identify emerging risks, trends, and enforcement priorities.
  

Leadership & Management

• Lead multi-agency enforcement initiatives, operations, and projects.
  
• Coordinate, supervise, and support officers engaged in investigations and regulatory activities.
  
• Deputise for the Team Manager as required to ensure continuity of service delivery.
  
• Monitor project performance and resource allocation to achieve agreed outcomes.
  
• Assist in managing team performance against service objectives and business plan targets.
  
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to officers and managers.
  

Training & Development

• Deliver training, mentoring, and coaching to colleagues and stakeholders.
  
• Design and deliver training packages, presentations, and workshops.
  
• Act as an assessor for the Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS).
  
• Support officers in the completion of qualification portfolios and professional development programmes.
  
• Maintain continuous professional development and up-to-date knowledge of Trading Standards legislation and best practice.
  

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with local authorities, enforcement agencies, regulators, and other stakeholders.
  
• Represent the Service, Authority, and Region at local, regional, and national meetings.
  
• Provide advice and briefings to elected members and senior stakeholders.
  
• Present reports to committees and management forums when required.
  
• Work with media representatives to promote key service messages and raise public awareness.
  

Service Improvement

• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the service.
  
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and service delivery.
  
• Participate in quality assurance audits and compliance reviews.
  
• Contribute to efficiency savings through improved working practices, cost reductions, and increased income generation.
  

Emergency Response

• Respond to emergency call-outs when required.
  
• Participate in operational activities outside normal working hours, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, in accordance with service needs.
  

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure all work aligns with the Service’s strategic objectives, policies, and procedures.
  
• Support Team Managers in ensuring investigations are conducted legally, proportionately, and effectively.
  
• Ensure advice provided to consumers and businesses is accurate, impartial, and compliant with relevant legislation.
  
• Promote innovative problem-solving approaches and continuous improvement.
  
• Maintain confidentiality and information security at all times.
  
• Commit and manage resources responsibly to achieve operational outcomes.
  
• Take responsibility for the successful delivery of projects, investigations, and enforcement activities.
  
• Assist in handling complaints made against the service.
  
• Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety requirements and risk management procedures.
  

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma in Trading Standards OR
  
• Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS) OR
  
• Diploma in Consumer Affairs (DCA) OR
  
• Stage 2 of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Professional Competency Framework (Trading Standards Practitioner Diploma).
  
• Full UK Driving Licence.
  
• Ability to obtain, pass, and maintain Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2 Full Vetting.
  

Desirable

• Additional qualifications in enforcement, investigation, intelligence, project management, or leadership.
  
• Professional memberships relevant to Trading Standards, regulatory services, or enforcement.
  

Experience Required

Essential

• Significant experience working within a Trading Standards, Regulatory Services, or Enforcement environment.
  
• Experience of interpreting and applying complex legislation and regulatory guidance.
  
• Experience conducting criminal and civil investigations.
  
• Proven ability to prepare detailed reports, case files, and evidential documentation.
  
• Experience presenting evidence in court proceedings.
  
• Experience leading successful enforcement projects and operations.
  
• Experience advising businesses on complex legal and regulatory requirements.
  
• Experience of partnership working with external agencies and stakeholders.
  
• Experience supervising, supporting, and mentoring officers.
  
• Experience designing and delivering training and presentations.
  
• Demonstrable commitment to Continuous Professional and Personal Development (CPPD).
  
• Experience maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information.
  

Desirable

• Experience acting as a Primary Authority Liaison Officer.
  
• Experience managing budgets related to projects or contracts.
  
• Experience working with media and public communications.
  

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Thorough knowledge of criminal and civil enforcement procedures.
  
• Comprehensive understanding of evidence, disclosure, and investigation legislation.
  
• Detailed knowledge of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and covert investigation techniques.
  
• Sound understanding of the role, purpose, and challenges of a modern Trading Standards Service.
  
• Excellent knowledge of workplace Health & Safety legislation.
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a demanding environment.
  
• Ability to influence, motivate, and lead teams effectively.
  
• Strong presentation and stakeholder engagement skills.
  

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and team management capability.
  
• Excellent customer service focus.
  
• High levels of integrity and professionalism.
  
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
  
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
  
• Commitment to fairness, equality, respect, and inclusion.
  
• Proactive and results-oriented mindset.
  
• Strong relationship-building and networking skills.
  

Additional Information

• Pay Rate: £26.45 per hour (Limited/Umbrella)
  
• Location: Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 7QP, United Kingdom.
  
• Working Hours: 37 hours per week. Working patterns are flexible and will be dependent on operational requirements, inspections, investigations, and site visits. Occasional evening, weekend, bank holiday, and emergency call-out work may be required.
  
• Essential Requirement: Candidates must hold a Food Qualification relevant to Trading Standards/Food Standards enforcement. This is the preferred qualification for the role.
  
• Alternative Qualification: Candidates holding a Trading Standards Level 4 Qualification may be considered; however, Food Qualification remains the ideal requirement.
  
• Police Vetting: Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain the required Police Vetting (Non-Police Personnel Vetting – NPPV Level 2 Full) as an essential condition of employment.
  
• Driving Licence: A valid UK Driving Licence is required due to the travel demands of the role.
  
• Mobility Requirement: Candidates must be able to travel throughout the county and access business premises, vehicles, and operational sites as required.
  
• Compliance Requirement: Please submit only fully compliant candidates who meet the essential qualification, vetting, experience, and legislative knowledge requirements outlined within this Job Description.
  
• The successful candidate will be expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity when carrying out enforcement and regulatory duties.
  
• Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly
  
• Start Date: Immediate start available
  
• Closing Date: Applications closing soon – early applications are encouraged
  

Requirements
Trading Standards Enforcement, Food Standards Consumer Protection