Norfolk County Council

Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | Scale E £22,369 to Scale H £32,020 per annum (pay award pending) | Norwich We’re looking to recruit the next generation of Trading Standards Officers to join our team. Have you ever wondered what a Trading Standards Officer does? If yes – then read on! As a Trading Standards Officer you would be involved in a wide range of activities and projects, all aimed at ensuring a fair, safe, and legal trading environment across Norfolk. This might mean: Taking samples/test purchases of foods, consumer goods such as toys, cosmetics and electrical items, or animal feed and pet food, to have them checked against legal standards. Interrupting doorstep rogue traders. Visiting farms or markets to inspect animal welfare conditions. On site and on-line inspections of manufacturers and suppliers of goods Advising businesses to help them trade fairly. Working with partners to protect consumers and businesses from frauds and scams. Investigating rogue traders, preparing criminal cases, and giving evidence in court. Your role will be varied, and (we hope) fulfilling. As a trainee Trading Standards Officer, you’ll be working towards recognised professional qualifications. You will be supported through a structured training programme with a talented and experienced team around you. With a defined career path, you will qualify as a Trading Standards Officer capable of working across the full spectrum of disciplines, covering animal health and welfare, environmental protection, fair trading, feed, food, product safety, safety of sports grounds, and weights and measures. It’s a highly rewarding job in public service, where you can make a real difference. Norfolk is a unique county, with a blend of urban and rural locations, and a diverse range of businesses and industries. Our physical environment is something special, a county where you will be surrounded by a distinctive blend of beaches, broads, countryside, and culture, which we think is hard to beat! It’s an environment where no two days are the same, and there’s always something new to learn. With the hybrid and flexible working model offered here at Norfolk County Council you will benefit from the best of both worlds: Access to modern and well-resourced office and collaborative spaces, first class provision of IT, software, and other equipment to enable effective homeworking, along with our commitment to provide structured, face to face mentoring, shadowing, and learning opportunities. So, if you fancy more flexibility at work to help with the balance of life but still value contact with a supportive team, then Norfolk’s the place for you. Our main offices are at County Hall in Norwich and Priory House in King’s Lynn, and you would have the option of being based, under our hybrid working model, at either site. To be considered, you’ll need a good standard of general education, and the aptitude and commitment to study towards a professional qualification (we think having a degree will stand you in good stead here, but it’s not essential and we’re open in terms of where you may have gained your experience). You’ll need the ability and desire to learn, and the capacity to understand and interpret complex legislation. You’ll also need first class communication and customer service skills, high attention to detail, and great organisational skills. We also think you’ll have perseverance, patience, the awareness to quickly read situations, and the ability to remain calm in sometimes difficult circumstances. We know we’re asking a lot, but in return we think we have a lot to offer. There’s the role itself, which offers variety; new challenges; and a first-class training programme that will help you establish a long-term professional career. The Council is one of the region’s largest employers and as one of its employees you’ll have access to a range of benefits and rewards. If you’re still reading, and you think you have what it takes, then we would love to hear from you. Please apply directly via Vacancies – Norfolk County Council where the full job description and person specification can be found describing essential and desirable criteria. Candidates should upload supporting information to demonstrate how they meet the key criteria for the role. This should be in addition to any CV supplied and should have clear examples of how each is met. The information provided by candidates will be used by the shortlisting panel when selecting candidates to progress in the recruitment process. For an informal discussion about the posts, please contact Alice Barnes, Business and Community Support Manager (01603 222749), Duncan Carter, Food & Farming Manager (01603 222613) or Jon Peddle, Safety & Fair Trading Manager (01603 224380). Start date: Flexible start date depending on circumstances. Closing date: 14 January 2024 Interviews date: To be confirmed depending on circumstances. The job advert has a long closing date but as there are a number of posts available, shortlisting and interviews are likely to take place at intervals before that deadline. Salary for a qualified Trading Standards Officer is £32,909 to £34,723 per annum (plus 12% market pay supplement) (pay award pending) We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity. Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email address. Before you apply please see the full job description and person specification in the below link – this will help you to shape your application to demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the role. Job description and person specification You can also find out about the rewards and benefits we offer as well as our other terms and conditions. These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council: Competitive salary Generous holiday entitlement with the ability to buy and sell leave Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need. Financial benefits such as: ‘ Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out. A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers Relocation expenses paid upfront (where applicable) An advance of your expenses if you travel for work Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions . A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job. Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension, new bikes and electric cars. Closing date: 14 January 2024