Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Landmark House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5PB - Hybrid
• Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata if part time)
• Hours: 37 Hours per week - Flexible working options available

• Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment until 31 March 2029

When you join the Suffolk Trading Standards team as a Trading Standards Apprentice, we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. You’ll be a key part of our work focussing on tackling the supply of illegal vapes and tobacco but also supporting the work of all the Trading Standards team. If you are motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities 

You will:

• assist with the enforcement of rules regulating vapes and tobacco, including the supply of illegal/illicit products
• be a supporting member of a demand team to respond to complaints and enquires from the public and businesses
• carry out intelligence led project work including basic visits and informal sampling as may be required to business premises to ensure compliance with legislation
• support Trading Standards Officers with enforcement action when necessary, including involvement in Criminal Investigations, test purchases, seizure of goods, taking witness statements, PACE interviews, and giving evidence in Court as required
• be a key member of our ‘frontline team’ with responsibility to receive and process incoming ‘demand’ into the system.

Your apprenticeship

• Level 6 Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship
• 29 months (24 Months for learning delivery plus 5 months for End Point Assessment)

We welcome apprenticeship applications from all ages and backgrounds. There's no upper age limit - it's never too late to start developing new skills. We want to provide opportunities for anyone interested in launching or advancing their career. 

The apprenticeship you're applying for must build on your qualifications. If you have experience in this field, the apprenticeship you're applying for must be at a higher level.

During the apprenticeship, you'll be working towards the role described in these materials, Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word)and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Brochure (pagetiger.com)They hold a range of information. You will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training and pursue certification.

Completing your apprenticeship does not guarantee a full-time position. However, we are dedicated to helping you find a job. You will have priority access when you apply for vacancies. This applies during the final 3 months of your contract. 

You will need 

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written with an ability to be able to use appropriate vocabulary for a range of target audiences
• To be able to collaborate well, work in a team and provide support and assistance to others.
• An ability to be able to work independently, be self-motivated and able to progress through a supported training apprenticeship
• To be creative in relation to problem solving and willing to put forward new ideas
• To have a sound understanding of customer service principles and practices
• To be able to record detail accurately and follow appropriate legal procedures and codes of practice.

You can view a full list of requirements in the  Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word) If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The team

Trading Standards is a law enforcement service, enforcing over 80 different Acts of Parliament covering areas including food safety, fraud, animal health, safety of products, underage sales, and illicit tobacco and vapes, as well as protecting vulnerable consumers from doorstep rogue traders and scams. Officers work with businesses and consumers within the community to make a real difference to people’s lives, whilst working to make Suffolk a Rogue-Free County.

You will be part of one of three demand teams, reporting to a Principal Trading Standards Officer. All teams are multi-functional and can enforce all aspects of the work of Trading Standards. The Service is forward thinking and applies Systems Thinking Principles to deliver excellent customer service and staff are encouraged to contribute creative ideas to continually learn and improve.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Sharon Titford-Keller or Mary Strang (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 265273 or 01473 260659 or emailing Sharon.titford-keller@suffolk.gov.uk or mary.strang@suffolk.gov.uk

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP.

• You must use the  Supporting Statement template (Word).
• Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at  recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk  or  03456 014412 You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 31 May 2026

Interview date: 15/16 June 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid. #IND1

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk)