Trainee Trading Standards Enforcement Officer

Join Our Team as a Trainee Trading Standards Officer!

Are you passionate about helping people and making a positive impact in your community? Do you crave a job where every day is different? If you're curious about what a Trading Standards Officer does, keep reading!

We're on the lookout for the next generation of Trading Standards Officers and have two exciting opportunities for dynamic individuals to join our team.

What you'll do: As a Trainee Trading Standards Enforcement Officer, you'll dive into a variety of activities and projects to ensure a fair, safe, and legal trading environment across Dorset. Your tasks might include:

• sampling and testing foods, consumer goods, weights and measures and pet products to ensure they meet legal standards
• inspecting animal welfare conditions at farms and abattoirs
• conducting on-site and online inspections of manufacturers, retailers, and importers
• advising businesses on fair trading practices
• collaborating with partners to protect consumers and businesses from fraud and scams
• investigating rogue traders, preparing criminal cases, supporting victims and giving evidence in court.
• testing how well businesses prevent young people from accessing age-restricted goods
• seizing illicit tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes to reduce harm.

Why this role is for you: Your role will be varied and fulfilling. As a trainee, you'll work towards a professional level 6 trading standards officer apprenticeship, supported by a structured training program and a talented team. After three years, you'll qualify as a Trading Standards Officer, ready to tackle a wide range of disciplines, from animal health to product safety. It's a rewarding public service job where you can truly make a difference.

What we're looking for:

• a keen eye for detail and strong organisational skills
• sound research and project delivery abilities
• an investigative mindset
• team player qualities with the ability to adapt to diverse customer needs
• calm and professional demeanour in challenging situations

Additional requirements: Due to the sensitive nature of our work, you'll need to pass Non Police Personnel Vetting 2 (Abbreviated) before starting.

Work environment: We offer a hybrid working approach with your primary base at County Hall in Dorchester. You'll work across the Dorset council area and occasionally support neighbouring authorities. Regular office attendance for meetings, training, and equipment collection is required. We offer flexibility with office locations and some home working.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and start your journey as a Trainee Trading Standards Enforcement Officer!

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We: 

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents 
• work in partnership to make a real difference 
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities 
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive 

You will: 

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset 
• have access to a range of benefits and support 
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. 

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application. 

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us. 

Find out more about how to apply.