Trading Standards Officer

Job DescriptionProtect residents, support businesses and help create a fairer, safer borough.As a Trading Standards Officer at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, you'll play a key role in protecting consumers and ensuring fair business practices across the borough. Your work will have a real and visible impact — safeguarding vulnerable residents, tackling unfair trading, and supporting businesses to operate responsibly.Working StyleYou'll be based in the Borough for 3 days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you're working on the frontline or behind the scenes, you'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents' lives.What You'll Be DoingYou'll deliver the full range of Trading Standards duties, promoting fair and safe trading across the borough. Each day will bring something new — from investigating complaints and conducting inspections to offering specialist advice to consumers and businesses.You'll provide detailed guidance to local enterprises and Primary Authority partners on consumer protection law, helping them meet their responsibilities and maintain high standards. Your enforcement work will include gathering evidence, carrying out test purchases, preparing reports and, where necessary, presenting evidence in court or at hearings.You'll work collaboratively with partner agencies such as the police, HMRC and other council services — including Safeguarding and Adult Social Care — to detect and prevent offences. You'll also play an active role in protecting vulnerable residents, intervening in cases involving scams or financial abuse to safeguard their wellbeing.Beyond enforcement, you'll contribute to education and prevention initiatives, delivering awareness campaigns, coordinating projects and helping measure their success. This is a hands-on, community-focused role where your judgement and commitment will make a real difference to the safety and fairness of local life.For further details, please review the Job Description and Person SpecificationWhat You'll BringYou'll hold a Diploma in Trading Standards (DTS), a Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS), or an equivalent qualification. You'll bring proven experience in Trading Standards or a similar enforcement field, showing your ability to apply a wide range of investigative and regulatory tools.You'll have an in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures, including PACE, CPIA and RIPA, as well as key consumer protection laws such as the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs) and Business Protection Regulations (BPRs).Strong communication skills are essential — you'll be able to explain complex issues clearly and confidently to residents, businesses and partners. You'll be highly organised, skilled at managing multiple priorities and deadlines, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.You'll also demonstrate curiosity and adaptability, keeping your knowledge of legislation and emerging trends up to date. Above all, you'll share our core values of Putting Communities First, Respect, Integrity and Working Together — ensuring your work always reflects fairness, professionalism and care.Why join usAt RBKC, we're all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future.You'll be joining a small, skilled and supportive Trading Standards team that plays a key role in keeping our borough safe, fair and informed. From enforcing consumer law to educating businesses, your work will directly support the community's wellbeing and trust.We'll invest in your professional growth through ongoing training, mentoring and opportunities to build your expertise. You'll have the chance to develop your career in a diverse, fast-paced environment — from the markets of Portobello Road to the businesses that keep the borough thriving.We're proud to champion diversity, inclusion and collaboration, creating an environment where every voice is valued and everyone can succeed. This is meaningful work that truly matters — protecting residents, supporting businesses and helping make Kensington and Chelsea a safer place for all.About UsKensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough.As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.This role is a clear reflection of our 'we're all in' approach. You'll get stuck into complex investigations, adapt to new legislation and take pride in delivering justice and fairness. Every inspection, case and collaboration will strengthen trust, protect the vulnerable and help keep our borough resilient, safe and fair.Interview DetailsInterviews will be held in person week commencing 15 th December.This role will require the post holder to undertake an Enhanced DBS check (Adult and Child) including barred lists.Ready to join us?We're all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices. New hires will normally start at the minimum of the pay scale. However, a higher starting salary may be negotiated where a candidate demonstrates exceptional skills, knowledge, or experience.Employees receive annual salary increments until they reach the top of the pay scale, as well as any agreed cost of living pay awards.