Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.
Job Information
ROLE OF THE JOB
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Trading Standards team as a fully qualified Trading Standards Officer (Band 8) or as a Fair Trading Officer (Band 6) who is committed to becoming a professionally qualified Trading Standards Officer.
The successful applicant will be a self-starter, capable of independent problem solving and able to juggle the demands of a varied workload. Strong written and verbal communication skills are vital. If you are looking to join us as a Fair Trading Officer, you will have proven academic ability (ideally beyond GCSE level), and be determined to balance an operational workload with studies for a period of 4-5 years. Support will be given for this and all costs met by the employer.
The operational workload involves investigating complaints, responding to business advice requests, inspecting premises and carrying out topical projects. that relate to all aspects of Trading Standards work.
Professional studies consist of undertaking a level 6 Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship, covering the basics of Trading Standards work and specialist modules in Weights and Measures, Food Standards and/or Feed Hygiene. Further assessments with the Chartered Trading Standards to achieve Trading Standards Practitioner status will subsequently be required.
The role will require the successful applicant to work out and about in Northumberland which offers an amazing backdrop to your working day. Some days may find you working in coastal tourist hotspots in the shadow of castles and history, or in bustling town centres, and other days working in the rural tranquillity that characterises the County. The service operates in an agile way with a flexible blend of working from home and from an office at West Hartford Community Fire Station in Cramlington. Working from other Council offices may also be agreed.
Please note, if you are successful in being appointed as a Band 6 Fair Trading Officer the starting salary is £29,269 per annum.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB
A Trading Standards Practitioner Diploma (or antecedents) is required for appointment to Band 8 as Trading Standards Officer
For appointment to Band 6 as a Fair Trading Officer, essential requirements are;
- At least five GCSE level qualifications that include Maths and English
- At least two years recent and relevant work experience in a professional environment
- A commitment to undertake the required studies to achieve the CTSI Trading Standards Practitioner Diploma within five years.
In all cases, a full driving licence, valid in the UK is required.
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Claire Douglas by email: claire.douglas@northumberland.gov.uk, or by phone; 07748148393
NCC INFO AND BENEFITS
Northumberland is world-renowned as a visitor destination and an ideal location to strike a perfect work/life balance. There is no better way of enjoying the picturesque scenery and stunning coastline than on an everyday basis!
Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is ‘To Foster a thriving and collaborative culture where our people are valued, empowered and encouraged to be their very best for Northumberland’
For further information about working for NCC, please visit our website here.
Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:
- 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
- Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hours
- A range of salary sacrifice schemes are available
- Staff networks - run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development e.g. Armed Forces, ASD, Enable (disability), LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Racial Equality
Further information
Please note that this is a full time position but applications on a secondment or part-time basis would be considered for the right applicant.
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930
Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.
