Trading Standards Officer
| Posting date: | 27 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32.10 to £41.44 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | Pay Rates: • PAYE: £32.10 per hour • Limited/Umbrella: £41.44 per hour |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 06 February 2026 |
| Location: | Wirral, Cheshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Neway International Ltd |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | OR21752 |
Summary
Neway International are seeking a Trading Standards Officer – Technical to join our client based with Wirral MBC.
Location: 2 Alice Square, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 2YA
Hours: 18 per week
Start Date: 23 February 2026
About the Client
Wirral MBC’s Safer Wirral Services team delivers a wide range of regulatory and enforcement functions designed to protect residents, support businesses, and uphold high standards of consumer safety. Their Trading Standards service plays a critical role in ensuring compliance, tackling illegal practices, and promoting fair trading across the borough.
The Role
The Trading Standards Officer will carry out statutory food standards and weights and measures inspections, alongside broader criminal compliance and enforcement activities. Working within a generic team, the post holder will investigate complex breaches of trading standards legislation, identify contraventions, and determine appropriate enforcement action based on risk.
This role requires a highly skilled, self‑managing practitioner capable of handling complex cases, presenting solutions, and supporting the delivery of high‑quality regulatory services.
Key Responsibilities
Undertake inspections, surveys, and investigations into complex and serious breaches of trading standards legislation.
Lead or supervise projects aimed at securing business compliance.
Prepare reports, conduct interviews, manage correspondence, and provide evidence in court when required.
Enforce legislation using the full range of enforcement powers in line with the Enforcement Policy.
Participate in local and national initiatives, including health promotion projects.
Monitor performance and ensure work meets required standards and procedures.
Research, review, and implement policy and procedural updates.
Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of legislation, government guidance, and best practice.
Work collaboratively with internal departments and external agencies to identify issues requiring intervention.
Produce and verify management information, statutory returns, and performance data.
Provide specialist advice, training, and mentoring to less experienced colleagues.
Respond to enquiries from Councillors, MPs, senior managers, businesses, and the public.
Deliver presentations and training to internal teams and external partners.
Manage complex negotiations and influence behaviour change in business settings.
Ensure secure handling of evidence, data, and confidential information.
Represent the service at meetings, regional initiatives, and multi‑agency forums.
Support service planning, policy development, and operational improvements.
Candidate Requirements
Essential:
Professional CTSI Trading Standards qualification (DTS/DCATS including Food and Legal Metrology modules) or equivalent, plus a university degree.
Strong knowledge of current and emerging Trading Standards legislation.
Experience working within a Trading Standards service, ideally in a large urban authority or private sector organisation.
Proven ability to investigate consumer complaints and undertake complex projects.
Skilled in preparing reports, conducting interviews, and compiling case files for legal proceedings.
Knowledge of enforcement procedures and PACE.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence behaviour.
Strong time‑management skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Computer literate with effective communication skills at all levels.
Willingness to work outside normal office hours when required.
Desirable:
Additional qualifications or training related to Trading Standards.
Lead Auditor Assessor qualification.
Experience training or mentoring colleagues.
Experience working with statutory and voluntary partners.
Experience drafting responses for MPs/Councillors, preparing Cabinet Reports, or delivering presentations.
Knowledge of civil enforcement procedures and the Enterprise Act.
Location: 2 Alice Square, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 2YA
Hours: 18 per week
Start Date: 23 February 2026
About the Client
Wirral MBC’s Safer Wirral Services team delivers a wide range of regulatory and enforcement functions designed to protect residents, support businesses, and uphold high standards of consumer safety. Their Trading Standards service plays a critical role in ensuring compliance, tackling illegal practices, and promoting fair trading across the borough.
The Role
The Trading Standards Officer will carry out statutory food standards and weights and measures inspections, alongside broader criminal compliance and enforcement activities. Working within a generic team, the post holder will investigate complex breaches of trading standards legislation, identify contraventions, and determine appropriate enforcement action based on risk.
This role requires a highly skilled, self‑managing practitioner capable of handling complex cases, presenting solutions, and supporting the delivery of high‑quality regulatory services.
Key Responsibilities
Undertake inspections, surveys, and investigations into complex and serious breaches of trading standards legislation.
Lead or supervise projects aimed at securing business compliance.
Prepare reports, conduct interviews, manage correspondence, and provide evidence in court when required.
Enforce legislation using the full range of enforcement powers in line with the Enforcement Policy.
Participate in local and national initiatives, including health promotion projects.
Monitor performance and ensure work meets required standards and procedures.
Research, review, and implement policy and procedural updates.
Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of legislation, government guidance, and best practice.
Work collaboratively with internal departments and external agencies to identify issues requiring intervention.
Produce and verify management information, statutory returns, and performance data.
Provide specialist advice, training, and mentoring to less experienced colleagues.
Respond to enquiries from Councillors, MPs, senior managers, businesses, and the public.
Deliver presentations and training to internal teams and external partners.
Manage complex negotiations and influence behaviour change in business settings.
Ensure secure handling of evidence, data, and confidential information.
Represent the service at meetings, regional initiatives, and multi‑agency forums.
Support service planning, policy development, and operational improvements.
Candidate Requirements
Essential:
Professional CTSI Trading Standards qualification (DTS/DCATS including Food and Legal Metrology modules) or equivalent, plus a university degree.
Strong knowledge of current and emerging Trading Standards legislation.
Experience working within a Trading Standards service, ideally in a large urban authority or private sector organisation.
Proven ability to investigate consumer complaints and undertake complex projects.
Skilled in preparing reports, conducting interviews, and compiling case files for legal proceedings.
Knowledge of enforcement procedures and PACE.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence behaviour.
Strong time‑management skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Computer literate with effective communication skills at all levels.
Willingness to work outside normal office hours when required.
Desirable:
Additional qualifications or training related to Trading Standards.
Lead Auditor Assessor qualification.
Experience training or mentoring colleagues.
Experience working with statutory and voluntary partners.
Experience drafting responses for MPs/Councillors, preparing Cabinet Reports, or delivering presentations.
Knowledge of civil enforcement procedures and the Enterprise Act.