Job Title: Trading Standards officer
Location: Winchester/Hybrid
Contract Type: Temporary Part-Time 3 months +
Hours: 20 hours per week across 3 days
Salary: £17.60 per hour
About the Role
Working as part of The Hampshire Trading Standards Team you will undertake inspections and sampling, provide advice, investigate complaints, and where necessary take appropriate enforcement action to proactively protect consumers by ensuring a fair and safe marketplace that supports a safe, fair and equitable trading environment in Hampshire which is compliant with Local and National standards and priorities.
Role Responsibilities
Compliance & Advice:
- Undertake proactive and reactive Inspections and sampling as directed by service priorities.
- Investigate and report on complaints and enquiries from members of the public and businesses, liaising with businesses to resolve any issues of non-compliance.
- Work with businesses to help them comply with relevant legislation in their sector through the provision of advice and guidance where required.
- Collect and analyse business data to build a picture of business compliance through accurate recording and reporting of information received and activity undertaken and using this data as part of your investigations.
- Contribute to or lead on specific activities, projects, or programmes, directing and guiding junior staff as appropriate.
Role Dimensions
- Work as an integral team member to support the Trading Standards Service by working collaboratively and demonstrating best practice.
- Being open to change. This includes being creative in supporting continuous improvement or changes to systems or processes.
- Leading by example. This includes being even-handed, supportive, and not letting personal opinions override business needs, and communicating professionally, openly and honestly.
- Delivering a quality service by having a customer focused mindset.
- Delivering at pace, working to agreed goals and activities, responding to challenges constructively, for example managing time well and thinking positively.
- Working collaboratively and building professional relationships with colleagues and partner organisations.
- Use IT systems to manage, share and store information in accordance with data protection requirements where appropriate.
- Escalate issues as appropriate for judgement and decision.
- Maintain appropriate levels of professional knowledge commensurate with role and develop technical awareness amongst colleagues to ensure a high standard of consistent service delivery.
The key decision-making areas in the role
- Able to make a wide range of immediate operational decisions, impacting on public health, safety, finance, and fraud when visiting business premises.
- Ensure powers are used efficiently, appropriately, and proportionately.
- Empowered to take product samples and commit expenditure.
- May be required to supervise Technical Officers and other staff where appropriate.
- Prioritise own workload and make appropriate decisions with a significant level of autonomy.
- Potential to seize and detain goods on site.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Formal qualification to GCSE level 4 or equivalent, including Mathematics and English, and formal qualification beyond GCSE's or significant relevant work experience
- Proven knowledge of criminal law and civil law
- Investigation and reporting skills, or other relevant experience
- Competent IT skills especially in the use of Microsoft Office 365 suite of applications.
- Very good written and verbal communication skills (in person and on telephone or video conferencing), demonstrating professional, open and honest communication.
- High standard of customer service / Interpersonal skills: Being able to communicate with a variety of different people in sometimes difficult situations, building a rapport with businesses and consumers, giving guidance, advice and support on important information
- Good attention to detail and ability to follow prescribed working practices - in order to adhere to legal and policy requirements.
- Good organisational skills, with the ability to plan for recurring tasks and individually assigned responsibilities at pace.
- Good record keeping with the ability to accurately and succinctly record discussions, activity, and advice to ensure we have robust records of all interventions for potential use as evidence and/or for decision making.
- Experience of investigating criminal offences.
- Knowledge of risk assessment models.
- Project management skills.
Driving:
- Driving license and access to reliable vehicle essential
About Us
Connect2Hampshire is a managed service agency owned by Hampshire County Council providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities into the Council. Our service is built on our values of ethical, trustworthy, and caring, and our profits are returned to our Local Authority shareholders.
Please apply as appropriate or contact Daniel Goodyear on Alternatively, you're your CV across to
Connect2Hampshire is a trading style of Hampshire & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Hampshire County Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Hampshire is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.