Trading Standards Technical Support Officer

Posted 02 Dec 2022

Staffordshire County Council

SP1, Stafford (Quality Assurance or Safety)


Job Type:permanentDuration:
Category:Quality Assurance or SafetyRecruiter Reference:staffscc/TP/658/229
URL for Applications:Apply HereSalary:£23194 - £25878

About the Service

Insight has evidenced that Staffordshire is a great place to live. Most families are happy, safe and have loving homes, however there are some families who face challenges that mean that they cannot thrive in the way that they want to. We are committed to developing a system and a way of working that will enable Staffordshire’s children to thrive within their own families and communities by addressing the root causes of difficulties for the whole family at the earliest point.

The Trading Standards service has responsibility for the enforcement of regulation across a wide variety of legislation. The service aims to prevent harm and/or financial loss to consumers by working with business to ensure compliance and a fair-trading environment

Reporting Relationships

Responsible to: Technical and Business Manager Trading Standards and Staffordshire South Coroners Services

Main Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities:

  • To handle any calls and data records from businesses, farms and partners into the Trading Standards team, using knowledge and experience to respond and/or direct to appropriate technical experts.
  • As directed by the Technical and Business Manager, provide office support to trading standards activities across the department including Animal Health, Licensing, Trader Register and Safety of Sports Grounds etc.
  • To ensure that technical equipment, evidence and other resources required by Trading Standards are ordered, stored/organised, maintained, calibrated (where appropriate) and replenished as necessary or where directed.
  • To provide support to Trading Standards officers for Property Seizures procedure ensuring processes are adhered to appropriately, reporting anomalies to the appropriate manager.
  • To transcribe audio and video recordings of interviews etc. into typed documents for legal proceedings and to maintain Trading Standards recordings library in accordance with statutory requirements.
  • As directed by the Technical and Business Manager maintain trading standards databases including the updates to external and internal website pages.
  • As directed, to carry out all appropriate administrative functions, relating to financial activities of trading standards including systems in relation to the charging and receipt of trading standards generated income and to provide reports for managers.
  • To assist the Trading Standards team and managers in their work, as and when required, with any other duties commensurate with the post.
  • Requirement on occasion to provide emergency office support to other Regulatory services within the department, (Coroners, safety of Sports Grounds etc)
The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications/Professional membership

  • NVQII in Business Admin or equivalent and willing to study to Level III.
  • An IT qualification to the competency level of ECDL, CLAIT, etc.
  • Educated to Level 3 standard including English and Maths GCSE (Grade C or above), or equivalent.
  • Full current driving license (special arrangements will be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010).

Knowledge and Experience

  • A basic knowledge of Trading Standards activities or similar environment.
  • Experience of or willing to obtain experience of using Microsoft Office 365 or equivalent software packages.
  • Experience of or willing to work towards gaining knowledge of office procedures, systems and equipment.
  • Experience of working as part of a team.
  • Knowledge of or willing to work towards gaining knowledge of CIVICA or other Trading Standards databases.
  • Experience of dealing with public or businesses and ability to deal with confrontation by diffusing difficult situations.

Skills

  • Competent in using figures to a high level of accuracy and presenting information in a structured format.
  • Good administration, IT and communication skills; an inquisitive mind and able to demonstrate initiative.
  • Good organisational skills with ability to work under pressure and on own initiative.
  • Conscientious and trustworthy.

This post is designated as a casual car user

For further information about this role please contact mark.wilson@staffordshire.gov.uk

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. 

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. 

How to Apply

Apply Online