Trading Standards Technical Officers x 2
- South West, Devon
- Multiple Terms
- £27,709 - £29,542 per annum, pro rata
About Us
The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service operates across the areas of Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and is one of the largest Trading Standards Services in the country.
We support businesses to help them be competitive and operate legally, and make sure that consumers are protected from unfair, unsafe and illegal trading practices.
The Roles
We are looking for two people to join us – one in our Operational Support Team and one in our Allocations Unit.
The job description covers a wide range of duties that a Technical Officer may carry out, but the tasks below are more specific to these particular roles day to day. The range of tasks that you will be expected to undertake will increase as you gain further knowledge and experience in your role.
Operational Support role
Our Operational Support Team co-ordinates vital support functions, such as licensing, administration, our calibration laboratory and training coordination.
In particular, we are anticipating this role will include:
- Providing dedicated support to the lead officer for our Rural Support and Wellbeing Programme – potentially to include attending events
- Updating witnesses with progress on officers’ investigations and making arrangements for them to attend court as needed
- Supporting investigations by assisting officers to prepare digital and hard copy files and documents for court
- Helping to manage our evidence stores and ensuring our hard copy and digital records are accurate
- Providing general support to managers and officers – which will include administration, taking notes at meetings and occasionally accompanying officers on visits.
Allocations Unit role
Our Allocations Unit handles all incoming enquiries to the Service. In this role, you will help assess and allocate those enquiries through the following tasks:
- Dealing with and allocating incoming enquiries received via letter, email and telephone
- Contacting consumers and businesses to obtain information
- Reviewing cases received from the Citizens Advice Consumer Centre, carrying out initial research, triaging and allocating them accordingly
- Logging intelligence reports on our intelligence database
Please specify on your application whether you would like to be considered for the Operational Support role or the Allocations Unit role. If you are successful you may not be offered your first choice.
About you
You are organised, work well as part of a team and use your initiative to resolve issues. You are approachable, keen to help others and able to learn quickly. You have excellent communication skills - you may well be the first contact that the public have with us. You will show empathy when speaking to consumers who may be worried and upset, including victims of crime.
You will liaise confidently with managers, staff and partner organisations to obtain and share information and intelligence as needed. You are able to manage competing priorities, including calls about live rogue trader incidents, and are keen to gain knowledge and understanding of how Trading Standards operates.
Although training will be provided regarding our bespoke systems, you will need to be confident in using databases, as well as standard Microsoft Office 365 packages - including Teams, Word and Excel.
Additional Information
We can offer you flexible/hybrid working to meet service need and the role can be performed within agreed flexible hours, with a combination of home and office working. The Allocation Unit role does require phone lines to be covered 9am - 4.30pm. However, there is usually flexibility within the team to cover these times.
We have offices in Plymouth, Torbay, Newton Abbot, Exeter, Barnstaple, and Wellington. As we cover a large geographical area some travel is to be expected.
Find out more about us on our website: https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/
Knowledge and experience of Trading Standards and local authority work is desirable but not essential. As a Service we are committed to ongoing training and development and it is more important that you are willing to commit to training to maintain/improve your competencies.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity further please contact Richard Styles on 01392 382821 or Laura Cridland on 01392 382081.
How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.
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 and Person Specification.
- 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.
- For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- 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.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
- 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).
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
Reference: REQ010883
Interview Date: 16th and 17th December 2026
Job Details
- OrganisationDevon County Council
- Work LocationSouth WestDevon
- Work Postcode
Multiple locations
- Reference
REQ010883
- Occupational GroupLegal/Trading Standards
- Salary Details
£27,709 - £29,542 per annum, pro rata
- Job TermPermanent
- Appointment TypeFull TimePart Time
- Hours
37 hours per week (part time considered)
- Closing Date
25/11/2026
- DBS Check Required
Yes