Specialist Trading Standards Officers

Job content

Specialist Trading Standards Officers

Permanent, Full Time

Up to £43,299 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 25th July 2021

Please note we have two positions available:

Specialist Trading Standards Officer - Animal Health and agriculture

Specialist Trading Standards Officer - Food

These positions will initially, in line with current government guidance be based from home, with field work in Essex as required. However, when government guidelines change, the role will then revert to being predominantly home based with some field work and office attendance on a flexible basis.

Essex Trading Standards is looking for two highly motivated people to join its team as Specialist Trading Standards Officers - one leading on Food Standards and one leading on Animal Health and Agriculture.

Essex is one of the largest Shire Counties in the UK with a population of just under 1.5 million residents and in excess of 25,000 business premises - over 10,000 of those food registered. With over 3400 livestock holdings, 1,400 feed premises, a livestock market, several abattoirs, dealers and hauliers, Essex is more rural than many people give it credit for.

In these role you will be taking an operational lead on the specialist subject area and while you will have no direct line management responsibility you will be providing guidance and support to other officers across the service. You’ll be dealing with the more complex issues and provide strategic updates and recommendations to service managers to ensure we are always performing to the highest standards. You will be responsible for overseeing all activity in the specialist subject area 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 Trading Standards Officer holding either the DCATS, DTS or equivalent. You will also need to be qualified and competent in the Specialist role being applied for and while not essential, weights and measures and lead assessor qualification would be an advantage. 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) and 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.

We’ll support you to be to your best, with the resources, training and development to empower you. Flexible working options and other lifestyle benefits will enable you to make the most of your life outside work too.