Markets Service Officer

Keep Hackney’s markets growing. Make every stall count.

Hackney’s markets are more than just places to shop; they are iconic parts of our borough’s culture, economy, and identity, where culture, commerce, and community thrive. From Ridley Road to Broadway, our markets are home to family-run businesses, youth traders, bold new startups, and inclusive events.

As a Markets Service Officer, you'll be on the frontline, ensuring our vibrant street markets run smoothly, safely, and efficiently. This is your chance to make a real difference in one of the most diverse, creative, and values-led places in the country.

This is your chance to shape the future of Hackney’s iconic markets, support hundreds of small businesses, and play a lead role in the borough’s ongoing economic and cultural success.

The Role: Make Magic Happen in Public Spaces

You will be the first point of contact for traders and customers, providing high-quality service and resolving issues with a calm and confident approach. This dynamic role involves being out on the market for 80% of your trading day, monitoring activities, checking licenses, and ensuring adherence to regulations. You'll play a vital part in:

- Supporting Traders: Assisting with stall setup and breakdown, and building positive relationships with license holders.

- Ensuring Compliance: Carrying out regular checks on stall sizes, commodities, and licenses, and advising traders on their responsibilities. You'll  also identify and report any breaches, supporting enforcement action.

- Promoting Growth: Supporting income-generating activities and identifying new trading opportunities and businesses.

- Maintaining Standards: Reporting defects, ensuring market cleanliness, and managing public highway obstructions.

- Community Engagement: Being visible and accessible to the public, dealing with inquiries and complaints, and fostering strong community relations.

- Operational Excellence: Handling daily administrative tasks, processing payments, and supporting debt recovery.

This role involves a varied shift pattern, including mandatory weekend working (every Saturday and/or Sunday) and occasional late nights and public holidays.

About You: A Frontline Innovator

You are a confident, customer-focused individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You thrive in a diverse environment and are committed to fairness and sustainability. We're looking for someone who is:

- Proactive and Resourceful: Able to work independently, identify problems, and initiate quick and effective action.

- Organised and Meticulous: Capable of keeping accurate records and managing time effectively under pressure.

- A Skilled Communicator: Able to resolve problems calmly, with patience, and  communicate sensitively with a range of people.

- Physically Capable: Comfortable with outdoor working in all weather conditions, and able to walk or stand for most of the day. The role also involves   some manual handling.

- Technologically Savvy: Competent with IT, particularly Microsoft Office.

- Committed to Public Service: Dedicated to delivering high-quality front-line   service with integrity and a positive attitude. You'll be expected to understand   relevant legislation related to market and street trading.

Why Join Us? Hackney's Markets Service is Award-Winning!

You'll be joining Hackney’s multi-award-winning Markets, Shop Fronts & Street Trading Service, nationally recognised and internationally referenced for innovation and excellence. We are pioneers in the circular economy and home to the UK’s first Zero Plastic Markets.

We are a proudly inclusive and anti-racist employer, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and communities. You’ll be part of a team where staff thrive, innovate, and shape the future of public service delivery.

Ready to make an impact and contribute to the legacy of Hackney's markets?

Hackney Markets: Where enterprise meets equality. Join us.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 03 August 2025 (22.59)

Interview and assessment date: W/C 18 August 2025

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk