Trading Standards Officer (3 Posts, 1 Permanent 2 x Fixed Term for 18 months)

Salary details: £ - £

We have an exciting opportunity for three highly motivated individuals to join our trading standards team as a Trading Standards Officer. One post is permanent and two are fixed term for 18 months.

Our Trading Standards Service plays a vital role in protecting residents, supporting businesses, and tackling unfair, unsafe, and illegal trading practices through advice, education, and enforcement.

The posts are based within our Standards and Animal Health Team, focusing on food standards, feed hygiene, animal health, and metrology. The fixed term posts focus specifically on supporting our food standards work and will be key to delivering official food controls across Derbyshire.

Candidates with a food standards/feed qualification and competency are desirable; however, we will also consider applications from part qualified candidates and, for the permanent post, officers qualified in other legislative areas.

You will be joining a supportive and busy team of professionals undertaking a wide range of duties including inspections, advising businesses/consumers, project work, and investigations.

What will I be doing?

• Undertaking inspections, audits, and sampling to ensure compliance with Trading Standards legislation.
• Investigating complaints and gathering evidence to support enforcement action.
• Providing clear, accurate and technical advice to help businesses meet their legal obligations.
• Engaging professionally with businesses, consumers, and partner agencies.
• Maintaining accurate records and use relevant IT systems, including management information systems such as Arcus and Civica.
• Working proactively and reactively under the guidance of senior officers and managers.

What skills and experience do you need to have?:

• DTS or a full DCATS qualification or its antecedents for appointment at Grade 11, or part DCATS qualification (or equivalents) for appointment at Grade 9.
• Food standards/feed qualification and competency desirable.
• Good working knowledge across a range of Trading Standards functions.
• A positive attitude with excellent organisational / communication / IT skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision as part of a team are essential.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan workloads, meet deadlines and work independently.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and clearly explain legislation.
• Manual UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.

What we offer you:

27 days of annual leave plus another 5 once you reach 5 years of Local Government continuous service at Grade 11. 25 days of annual leave plus another 5 once you reach 5 years of Local Government continuous service at Grade 9.

Flexi Time between the hours of 7.00am and 7.00pm and the allowance up to an additional 2 days of leave per month.

The ability to work remotely.

Dedication to your continued professional development.

Generous local government pension scheme.

Guaranteed incremental annual pay increases within the Grade.

Cycle to work scheme.

Discounts at selected county leisure centres.

and much more!

The roles are full time, but we will also consider applications from those seeking to work on a part-time basis. The Trading Standards Team are based at Matlock, but as part of our Modern Ways of Working programme, we are currently working on a hybrid basis. There’ll be an opportunity to discuss future working arrangements at interview.

We're always pleased to hear from talented people so if you're looking to join a dynamic team and have the skills and experience, we're looking for, then we'd like to hear from you.

For an informal chat about these positions and to discuss flexible working options, please call;

Michelle Jones, Interim Trading Standards Manager (Standards & Animal Health) - 01629 539865

John Stewart, Trading Standards Manager (Standards & Animal Health) - 01629 539858

Provisional interview dates: w/c 11 May 2026

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.