Job Description

A career that grows with you - as an Apprentice Trading Standards Officer, youll embark on a diverse and (we believe) deeply rewarding journey. Youll work towards nationally recognised professional qualifications, supported every step of the way by a structured training programme and a team of experienced, dedicated professionals to become fully qualified.
A structured development plan will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a fully-fledged Trading Standards Officer. Your role will span a wide range of important areas, including: Animal Health and Welfare; Environmental Protection; Fair Trading; Feed and Food Standards; Product Safety, Safety at Sports Grounds; Weights and Measures. This is more than just a job - its a meaningful public service career where your work has a real and lasting impact on communities across Staffordshire.
We have a clear vision for Staffordshire - an innovative, ambitious and sustainable County, where everyone has the opportunity to prosper, be healthy and happy. We want everyone in Staffordshire to:

• Have access to more good jobs and share the benefit of economic growth
• Live in thriving and sustainable communities
• Be healthier and more independent for longer

Our main offices are based at Staffordshire Place 1, right in the heart of Stafford Town Centre. You will be working flexibly within the boundaries of operational need across the whole County - while still enjoying the support of a close-knit, professional team - Staffordshire could be the perfect fit for you. Main Responsibilities
As a Trading Standards Officer, youll play a vital role in promoting a fair, safe, and lawful trading environment across Staffordshire. Your work will be varied, impactful, and community-focused. Heres a glimpse of what you might be doing:

• Protecting the Public: Safeguarding vulnerable individuals and taking enforcement action when necessary.
• Preventing Harm and Detriment: Disrupting and investigating rogue traders and illegal doorstep activities, building criminal cases, and presenting evidence in court.
• Collaborating for Impact: Working with partners and stakeholders to enhance efficiency, recover costs, and generate income.
• Ensuring Product Safety: Conducting test purchases and sampling food, toys, cosmetics, electrical goods, and animal feed to ensure compliance with legal standards.
• Maintaining Food Standards: Conducting regular inspections of food businesses, including manufacturers, retailers, and caterers.
• Animal Welfare Oversight: Inspecting farms and markets to uphold animal health and welfare standards.
• Monitoring Trade Practices: Carrying out inspections both in-person and online of manufacturers and suppliers.
• Supporting Businesses: Advising companies on how to trade fairly and comply with regulations.
• Fighting Fraud and Scams: Partnering with other agencies to protect consumers and businesses from deceptive practices.

The Ideal Candidate
What were looking for - To be considered, youll need:

• A solid general education
• The commitment and desire to study towards professional qualification(s)
• A willingness to learn and the ability to grasp and interpret complex legislation
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Strong attention to detail and great organisational abilities
• Patience, perseverance, and the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Good situational awareness and sound judgement
• While prior knowledge of Trading Standards is helpful, its not essentialxe2x80x94were open to a range of backgrounds and experiences.

What we offer in return - We know were asking a lot, but we believe we offer just as much in return. This role brings:

• Variety and new challenges
• A comprehensive training programme
• A clear path to a long-term, meaningful professional career

As one of the regions largest employers, Staffordshire County Council offers a wide range of benefits and rewards to support your wellbeing and development.
If youve made it this far and feel this opportunity could be the right fit for you - wed love to hear from you!
Mark Wilson, Trading Standards Technical and Business Manager on 01782 297004 or email:
Start Date: 1 August 2025
Interview Week: Commencing 7 July 2025
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what youll bring to the role. 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
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 Gold 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. '