Trading standards officer

As a trading standards officer, you could:

• do routine checks or look into complaints on local traders and businesses, sometimes through undercover or surveillance work
• take samples for testing and find unsafe electrical items
• make sure labels are correct and not misleading
• check the accuracy of drink measures and weighing scales
• prepare evidence and go to court in prosecution cases
• advise people about the law, give talks, write reports and keep records

• persistence and determination
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

With experience, you could become a senior trading standards officer or manager.

You could also move into private consultancy work.