Trading Standards Professional Apprentice

Fixed Term, Full Time

£27,869 to £32,787 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 19th May 2026

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford, Thurrock or Southend a minimum of 2-3 days per week, with the remaining time for visiting sites and remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs.

At Essex County Council, we believe in helping our workforce grow and succeed. That’s why, as part of this role, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an https://www.csa-uk.com/mpage/l6-trading-standards Level 6 apprenticeship. This is a fantastic chance to gain valuable skills, earn a recognised qualification, and set yourself up for a successful future career.

The Role

Essex Trading Standards is looking for a highly motivated person to join its team.

Trading Standards is responsible for supporting legitimate business activity by providing advice and support, encouraging economic development and prosperity and helping to create a level playing field. We protect the economic interests of Essex residents (particularly the more vulnerable members of community) by using all the tools available to swiftly and effectively tackle rogue traders and businesses that cause the most consumer detriment. We adopt an intelligence led approach to enforcing a broad range of Trading Standards legislation including fair trading, underage sales, food and product safety, animal health and welfare to name just a few.

This exciting opportunity will see you developing the knowledge, skills and competencies to become a Trading Standards Officer. You will undertake the training and learning requirements of the level 6 Trading Standards Professional apprenticeship. The role will focus on the enforcement of rules regulating vapes and tobacco, including the supply of illegal/illicit products and tackling age restricted sales to children. You will study Trading Standards modules to complete your training including a Tobacco and Vapes module and will work closely with, and be supported by, members of the Trading Standards teams in Essex, Southend and Thurrock councils throughout your training spending approximately 50% of your time in Essex and 25% in each of Thurrock and Southend. When qualified you will be considered for a Trading Standards officer post

To read more about our business area, please visit:

CTSI - The Chartered Trading Standards Institute, UK

The Opportunity

Trading Standards is responsible for supporting legitimate business activity by providing advice and support, encouraging economic development and prosperity, and helping to create a level playing field. We protect the economic interests of Essex residents (particularly the more vulnerable members of the community) by using all the tools available to swiftly and effectively tackle rogue traders and businesses that cause the most consumer detriment. We adopt an intelligence led approach to enforcing a broad range of Trading Standards legislation.

The Trading Standards Professional (TSP) Apprentice supports the delivery of the regulatory functions within the Trading Standards service and undertakes the training, development and learning requirements of the level 6 TSP apprenticeship. Work is carried out both independently and with support and/or supervision from a member of Trading Standards staff and will include the provision of information, advice and assistance on Trading Standards law to businesses.

This role contributes to the achievement of service and community objectives including, the reduction of crime and disorder; reducing antisocial behaviour; improving health and wellbeing; and promoting a fair trading environment throughout the County of Essex, by enforcing civil and criminal Trading Standards laws in an effective, efficient and impartial way.

Accountabilities

Responsible for managing own level 6 TSP apprenticeship training and development, to gain and apply a working knowledge of Trading Standards legislation, developing skills and competencies to enable effective enforcement and investigation.
Development, planning, delivery and management of enforcement projects, to ensure Trading Standards enforcement priorities are met.
Lead on investigations and all enforcement activities, including carrying out PACE interviews, preparing notes, statements and prosecution reports and giving evidence in court to comply with the Trading Standards Investigation Protocol.
Lead on investigations and all enforcement activities, including carrying out PACE interviews, preparing notes, statements and prosecution reports and giving evidence in court to comply with the Trading Standards Investigation Protocol..
Carry out visits to businesses to ensure compliance with legislation, provide advice and decide on the most appropriate remedy for non-compliances at the time of visit.
Responsible for liaising with members of the public and complainants to gather intelligence and provide updates on progress made with enquiries and complaints.
Review and grade intelligence using a threat matrix approach, to ensure best use of resources.
Responsible for consultancy services quotations, customer relationships management and agreed sums of petty cash, to ensure Council financial policies are complied with, all spend is auditable and income opportunities are maximised.
Responsible for undertaking a range of enforcement activities alone and as part of a team (e.g. ‘test purchasing’ operations of age restricted products, licensing inspections) to deliver Trading Standards enforcement priorities.
Responsible for accurately recording work undertaken and prepare accurate and concise guidance letters to business and consumers to ensure the delivery of Trading Standards priorities.
Mentor and assist with training Regulatory Compliance Officer Apprentices (level 4)

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Successfully completed level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer Apprenticeship - desirable
Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
Good communication skills and ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders.
A proven ability and willingness to study and develop the skills and knowledge to successfully complete the Level 6 Trading Standards Official Apprenticeship
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
Evidence of the ability to use bespoke databases or other IT applications

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live, work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas. If you are shortlisted for an interview, our training provider will also need to assess your previous learning records and check your completed qualification to ensure eligibility for the apprenticeship. Unfortunately, you cannot have previously completed a qualification that is at the same level or above in field that is related to this discipline.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email jamielea.wallis@Essex.gov.uk

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