eCrime Enforcement Officer

Job Category : Environmental

Location : County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AE, North Yorkshire Council

Hours Per Week : 37.00

Start Date : Immediate Start

Start Time : 08:30

End Time : 17:00
Salary: £16.35

From counterfeit and dangerous goods to illicit tobacco and large frauds, our core aim is to protect consumers from online harm.  We do this by investigating and disrupting harmful web sites and other online platforms. We also help build capacity within the trading standards profession at a local and regional level, so officers are better equipped to gather evidence and investigate online crime.  Our team also operates a Digital Evidence Unit for the forensic analysis of computers, mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.

As an Enforcement Officer, you will support the Disruptions Team Leader in detecting, researching and disrupting online harm.  For the higher pay grades, you will also assist in managing and delivering projects set out in the National Trading Standards eCrime Team service plan. You will work closely with colleagues in trading standards teams across England and Wales to ensure e-crime intelligence is properly captured and recorded.

Key objectives of the service are:

• To investigate incidences of e-crime that are of cross-region or national significance.
• To provide a Digital Evidence Unit for the forensic analysis of computers, mobile phones, tablets and other electronic devices.
• To provide specialist forensic support on-site during the collection of digital evidence from complex IT environments.
• To intervene where web sites, social media and other online platforms are hosting content that is harmful to consumers.
• To build capacity within the trading standards profession at a local and regional level in order that officers are better equipped to gather evidence and investigate incidences of e-crime.

Key objectives of the role are:

• The post holder will support the National eCrime Co-ordinator and Divisional Officer with the research and the development of policies, procedures and best practice to ensure trading standards is better equipped to deal with e-crime threats at a local, regional and national level.
• The post holder will assist with the implementation of projects identified within National Trading Standards eCrime Team business plan.
• The post holder will work closely with the National Trading Standards Intelligence Team and the Regional Intelligence Analysts to ensure e-crime intelligence is properly captured and recorded.

Plus, at Lead Officer level (Grade JK):

• To lead on, or lead parts of, online trading standards-based projects.
• To manage staff allocated to these projects, or parts of project of which the postholder is the lead officer.
• To undertake online disruption work on sites or social media where there is consumer harm.
• To mentor staff junior staff/seconded officers to develop their knowledge and experience of open-source investigation and disruption work.
• To be an authorised officer for disruption work, carrying out range of activities including, directed surveillance and test purchasing.

To specialise in an area of the team’s work, including but not limited to covert investigations, open-source investigations, disruption work or Intelligence

Knowledge and Experience

For Grade F:

•          Working knowledge of computer hardware and general software packages 

•          Knowledge of the workings of a trading standards service within a local authority

•          Experience of carrying out routine online inspections

•          Experience of using electronic record keeping systems

For Grade G, as Grade F plus:

•          Working knowledge of online research techniques, web sites and internet technologies 

•          Experience of carrying out general online research and the tools and techniques available

For Grade H, as Grade F and G plus:

•          Knowledge of complex IT principles, including internet architecture and web site design and construction

•          Knowledge and ability to interpret complex legislation and apply it in practical situations and advise consumers and traders.

•          Knowledge of current legislation in respect of Trading Standards

•          Experience of enforcing Trading Standards legislation or other enforcement work or other relevant work experience.

•          Experience of report writing.

For Grade JK (Lead Officer), as Grade F, G and H plus:

•          Knowledge and ability to interpret complex legislation, apply it in practical situations and advise trading standards professionals, consumers, and traders.

•          Knowledge of the workings of a regulatory service within a local authority.

•          Knowledge and understanding of the use of technology and online platforms/web sites to plan and commit offences and the techniques to investigate and disrupt such offending.

•          Can demonstrate experience of using open-source investigation tools alongside knowledge of the legal framework behind such work for trading standards professionals. 

•          Can demonstrate experience of mentoring less experienced officers.

•          Specialist knowledge in a particular area of work eg covert investigations, open-source investigations, disruptions work or intelligence.

Occupational Skills

For Grade F:

•          Literacy and numeracy skills to level 2 or equivalent.

•          Works productively in a pressurised environment.

•          Demonstrable IT Skills.

•          Uses developed communication skills to explain work carried out by the post holder in a court setting.

•          The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

•          Takes responsibility for maintaining own and others’ health and safety.

For Grade G, as Grade F plus:

•          Analyses information from a range of sources, probing for further information or a greater understanding when necessary.

•          An investigative nature with the ability to draw information from a variety of sources, dissect and draw appropriate conclusions.

•          Communicates with people on complex matters, issues and ideas and/or in complex situations.

•          Effectively copes with conflicting and complex demands.

•          Monitors own performance against deadlines and milestones to ensure targets are met.

For Grade H, as Grade F and G plus:

•          Makes decisions which influence a range of actions, projects and/or people.

•          Uses a range of techniques to successfully persuade, influence and/or negotiate with others in a range of situations.

•          Uses high level communication skills with people at all levels.

•          Able to prevent and/or manage challenging behaviour.  Takes constructive action to prevent triggers occurring and minimise identified behaviour.  Acts in a manner which is likely to promote calm and reassurance

For Grade JK (Lead Officer), as Grade F,G and H plus:

•          An investigative nature with the ability to draw information from a variety of sources, dissect and draw appropriate conclusions, probing for further information or a greater understanding when necessary.

•          Takes responsibility for and produces a range of solutions to problems.

•          Ability to explain detailed and technical information to a varied audience.

•          Able to give clear, accurate and concise information in pressured situations, such as when encountering potentially upsetting illegal material or giving evidence in court.

•          Completes accurate written records.

•          Takes responsibility for maintaining own and others’ health and safety.

•          Advanced ICT Skills in relation to the use of Forensic software packages•          Able to obtain and present information from a variety of sources