Trading Standards Officer
- Devon, Exeter, North Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, Teignbridge, Torbay
- Full Time
- £30,518 - £44,075 per annum
Depending on Qualification level and Experience: Grade E £30,518 to Grade G - £44,075 per annum
- Multiple locations - Barnstaple, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Torbay or Wellington
Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service are looking to recruit a Trading Standards Officer to join our innovative joint service.
About Us
As one of the largest Trading Standards Services in the UK, our joint service is commissioned by the four local authorities, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset & Torbay. Our service area covers two coastlines, Dartmoor & Exmoor National Parks, the cathedral city of Exeter, historic port of Plymouth, county town of Taunton and the 'English Rivera' in Torbay.
The Service covers a wide range of regulated activities essential for supporting a vibrant economy and maintaining public safety. We always work closely with our partners to ensure high standards are achieved in agriculture, animal health & welfare, consumer safety, fair trading, food standards and metrology. As an intelligence led investigative service, we have defined specialist teams that provide innovative solutions to complex regulatory problems.
The Role
We are seeking an officer to join our Regulatory Support - Rural Team. This team works closely with the rural communities across our 4 local authority areas. Candidates will need to feel at home outside, visiting farms, livestock markets and other similar premises. We welcome applications from candidates of all qualification and experience levels but, an aptitude for working in rural settings will be vital.
New entrants to the profession will be employed as a trainee, they will start their career assisting and learning from experienced officers; undertaking visits to various businesses, consumers and giving advice on complex legislation. As their experience grows they will visit businesses independently. We will also ask the candidates to assist experienced officers with investigations into breaches of criminal legislation. Full training and mentorship will be provided.
Trainees may be expected to move between teams according to service need and professional development requirements, gaining valuable skills and experience as they complete their learning journey. Trainees will be expected to undertake relevant training and will be given the opportunity to complete a level 6 qualification to complete their journey to becoming a fully qualified Trading Standards Officer.
The Joint Service operates a career progression scheme (CPS) for all Trading Standards Officers, which recognises and rewards individual development, and provides the opportunity to earn up to £39,152 at grade F and up to £44,075 at grade G. Candidates who are already fully or partly qualified will transfer in to our career progression scheme at a point commensurate with their skills and qualifications.
About you
You will need to be self-motivated, well organised, and be able to work independently or as part of a team, to achieve successful outcomes to complex regulatory problems within strict deadlines. We are looking for people who are above all approachable, flexible and able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and situations.
You will be able to liaise confidently with members of the public, business leaders, colleagues and partner organisations to achieve defined outcomes. You will need to be able to manage competing priorities and be keen to gain and maintain knowledge and understanding of legal process and Trading Standards legislation.
Knowledge and experience of Trading Standards and/or regulation / enforcement is desirable but not essential.
Additional Information
We have offices in Plymouth, Torbay, Newton Abbot, Exeter, Barnstaple, and Wellington. As we cover a large geographical area, travel to these locations and also to visit business and members of the public across the service area is to be expected. Due to the nature of the work we do, there will also be the need for occasional weekend and evening work.
All candidates must visit our website Jobs and careers - Trading Standards Service where they will find further details on the role, together with case studies from both experienced and trainee officers.
On this page is a question for candidates, and the answer to this question should be placed at the bottom of the applicant’s personal statement in their job application. This question is designed to give candidates an idea of the type of research they will need to do in their day-to-day work. Applications received without the required question, will not be considered for shortlisting.
Interview date will provisionally be week commencing 11th May 2026
For an informal conversation about the role please contact our one of our recruitment managers, Christopher Rice or Rosemary Rowe on 01392 383000 asking for each by name, during normal office hours.
Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.
Please click Apply Now to see the Job Description.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- We particularly welcome applications from people under 30 and those from a BAME background who are currently under-represented in our workforce. All appointments will be made on merit."
- The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
- This job role requires you to be mobile throughout our operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
- We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Reference: REQ009599
Job Details
- OrganisationDevon County Council
- Work LocationDevonExeterNorth DevonPlymouthSomersetTeignbridgeTorbay
- Work Postcode
- Reference
REQ009599
- Occupational GroupLegal/Trading Standards
- Salary Details
£30,518 - £44,075 per annum
- Job TermPermanent
- Appointment TypeFull Time
- Hours
37 hours per week
- Closing Date
02/05/2026
- DBS Check Required
Yes