West Yorkshire Trading Standards, part of West Yorkshire Joint Services, is a dynamic and fast-paced organisation serving the five district councils of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. We are seeking motivated and committed individuals to join our specialist Protecting Communities Team, which is at the forefront of tackling fraud, scams, financial exploitation, illegal and illicit goods, and underage sales.

This is a unique opportunity to work within a specialist investigations team dedicated to protecting consumers and safeguarding some of the most vulnerable people across West Yorkshire. Through intelligence-led investigations and strong multi-agency partnerships, we play a vital role in preventing harm, supporting victims, and bringing offenders to justice.

Trading Standards supports legitimate businesses, promotes fair and safe trading environments, and combats fraudulent and unfair practices. By targeting offenders who pose the greatest risk to consumers, we help maintain confidence in local markets and protect residents from harm. Our work covers a wide range of legislation, including consumer protection, product safety, age-restricted sales, fair trading, food and feed standards.

Working alongside the Public Health and West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team (WYFEAT), you will help safeguard vulnerable adults, prevent financial abuse, and support those most at risk of exploitation. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. The Protecting Communities Team leads complex investigations into fraud, financial exploitation, consumer crime, rogue traders, doorstep crime, scams, and the sale of illegal and illicit products. You will work closely with partner agencies and regulatory bodies to ensure effective interventions, enforcement action, and protection measures are in place.

Key responsibilities include conducting criminal investigations and enforcement activity, undertaking PACE interviews, gathering evidence, obtaining witness statements, preparing prosecution files, engaging with victims and witnesses, and attending court where required. You will also support inspections, intelligence gathering, and safeguarding activity designed to protect vulnerable individuals and communities.

We are looking for candidates who have experience in investigations, enforcement, safeguarding, regulatory services, or a related field. You will be highly motivated, organised, and committed to protecting vulnerable people. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of partner agencies and manage complex and sensitive cases.

If you are passionate about protecting communities, supporting vulnerable residents, and tackling those who seek to cause harm, we would love to hear from you.

What We Offer: West Yorkshire Joint Services offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

Generous Local Government Pension Scheme

Wide range of learning and development opportunities
Hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
IT and home-working equipment provided.
Generous days annual leave plus bank holidays
Access to employee discounts and benefits through Wakefield Council, including gym membership, travel, and retail discounts.
Employee Assistance Programme providing free and confidential counselling and wellbeing support.

To apply for this post: Please complete the application and recruitment monitoring form and submit to hr@wyjs.org.uk by the closing date. Please specify the job reference number on your application.

For an informal discussion about the post: please contact: Sonia Brooks: Sonia.Brooks@Westyorksjointservices.gov.uk or Krystal Delaney: krystal.delaney@westyorksjointservices.gov.uk

Closing date: 16th November 2026 *This post may close once sufficient applications have been received.

Interviews: week commencing 23rd November 2026 *The advertised interview date is indicative only and may be revised subject to the recruitment process, applicant numbers, and interviewer availability.

West Yorkshire Joint Services is an equal opportunities employer that is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity in the workplace for all staff and applications.

NOTE: CANVASSING OF, OR FAILURE TO DISCLOSE RELATIONSHIP TO ANY COUNCILLOR OR SENIOR OFFICER OF WYJS OR THE CONSTITUENT LOCAL AUTHORITIES WILL DISQUALIFY CANDIDATE

To apply please click this link - Criminal Investigator

Closing date

16 November 2026, 11:55 PM