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Nousha: Trading Standards Officer
I have a law degree but I didn’t want to be a solicitor or barrister, so when I saw an advert for a trainee trading standards post at Suffolk I went for it.
The variety and challenge of the work is fantastic and enables me to practice commercial and criminal law and make a positive impact on people’s lives. Once you come into the job you are encouraged to get further qualifications to become fully professionally qualified. I did the diploma in trading standards (DTS) and have been a trading standards officer now for some years, though I came through the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) route. This gave me qualifications in all areas of trading standards’ work and I also completed the diploma in consumer affairs (DCA) part 2, specialising in fair trading, safety, and food and agriculture.
At the moment I’m working in the business support team giving in-depth advice and training to companies. I also deal with weights and measures and am the lead officer for food standards within the department. There’s no danger of getting bored! As well as having technical skills, I think I’m a good communicator and can adapt to different situations and cope with people at all levels by listening and by being calm and assertive.
There are plenty of opportunities for getting ahead and also to specialise in a particular field if you want to. A related degree can get you started and then you move on to accreditation. You do get a chance to keep your options open and change your mind as you progress. I’m aiming for higher posts such as senior, then principal trading standards officer.
Back to real deal |
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08:30 |
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Arrive at office – check emails. |
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08:40 |
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Meet colleague in training – finalise arrangements for day. Ensure
up-to-date with new business or Home Authority enquiries. divide up
work
and discuss appropriate action for each case. |
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09:00 |
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Collect equipment and information need for visits – food sampling
kit, weights and weighing equipment, protective clothing and
advisory
information. |
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10:00 |
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Arrive at premises for Food Standards Inspection of records and
paperwork. Inspect factory, follow production process from start to
finish.
Check product ingredients meet legal specifications and labelling
checked. Conclude visit with meeting and advice given on any changes
to production
process. |
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13:30 |
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Grab lunch |
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14:00 |
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Call from Environmental Health about action planned for a public
house inspection, check whether we have ongoing enforcement action
against
them. |
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14:30 |
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Meeting with a large Home Authority company. Discussion about
application of a British Standard to their product and changes to
the labelling
to ensure compliance. |
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16:00 |
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Phone call from trader wanting guidance on amendments to food
labelling regulations. Give brief advice and promise to send full
guidance in
writing. |
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16:10 |
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Arrive back at the office, record details of visits on database.
Draft letters to the businesses detailing advice and guidance given
during
day. |
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17:30 |
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Finish |
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