Trading Standards Technical Officer

About the job

Key information

About Us

The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service operates across the areas of Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and is one of the largest Trading Standards Services in the country.

We support businesses to help them be competitive and operate legally, and make sure that consumers are protected from unfair, unsafe and illegal trading practices.

What will I be doing?

We have an opportunity to work in our Operational Support team. Our friendly team co-ordinates vital support functions, such as licensing, administration and training coordination. We are also responsible for our website and social media presence – making our advice more accessible to the public and businesses.

The role will include:

• Processing various types of registrations from businesses, such as explosives storage licences, and keeping our databases up to date
• Supporting investigations by assisting officers to prepare digital and hard copy files and documents for court
• Organising ongoing business and consumer satisfaction surveys and carrying out checks for our quality assurance processes
• Updating witnesses with progress on colleagues’ investigations and taking witness statements from consumers as needed
• Arranging and taking accurate minutes at meetings with other agencies
• Keeping our Sharepoint sites up to date
• Helping to manage our evidence stores
• Providing general support to Trading Standards Officers – which will include both administration and accompanying them on visits. These could range from large factories to shops to livestock farms.
• Dealing with and allocating incoming enquiries received via letter, email and telephone. This includes contacting consumers and businesses to find out more information
• Logging intelligence reports on our intelligence database

Please note the below job description covers a wide range of duties that a Technical Officer may carry out, but the above list is more specific to this particular role day to day. The range of tasks that you will be expected to undertake will increase as you gain further knowledge and experience in the role.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

You are organised, work well as part of a team and use your initiative to resolve issues. You are approachable, keen to help others and able to learn quickly. You have excellent communication skills – you may well be the first contact that the public have with us.

You will liaise confidently with managers, staff and partner organisations to obtain and share information and intelligence as needed. You are able to manage competing priorities and are keen to gain knowledge and understanding of how Trading Standards operates.

Although training will be provided regarding our bespoke systems, you will need to be confident in using databases, as well as standard Microsoft Office 365 packages – including Teams, Word and Excel.

Additional Information
We can offer you flexible/hybrid working to meet service need and the role can be performed within agreed flexible hours, with a combination of home and office working.

We have offices in Plymouth, Torbay, Newton Abbot, Exeter, Barnstaple, and Wellington. As we cover a large geographical area some travel is to be expected. Please state your preference on location in your application.

Find out more about us on our website 

Knowledge and experience of Trading Standards and local authority work is desirable but not essential. As a Service we are committed to ongoing training and development and it is more important that you are willing to commit to training to maintain/improve your competencies.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further please contact Richard Styles on 01392 382821 or Laura Cridland on 01392 382081.

DBS check

This role requires a DBS disclosure.

Supporting documents and information

How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click Apply Now to see the Job Description.

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working – The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK.

Reference: REQ009240

Apply on the Devon County Council website