Introduction
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- Competitive starting salary
- A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
- Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
- Paid time off including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
- A culture that encourages work-life balance
- Professional growth and development opportunities
- Work for a Forbes top company - ‘Forbes’: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
- State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
MISSION
To ensure a fair and equitable marketplace, safe products and services for consumers in the industries that we license, regulate and enforce.
THE TEAM
DCP's Liquor Control Division is charged with protecting the health and safety of Connecticut citizens by regulating all persons and firms involved in the distribution, sale, and dispensing of alcoholic liquor in order to prevent sales to minors and intoxicated persons, guarantee product integrity, and ensure that licensed premises are safe and sanitary.
THE ROLE
The Department is currently accepting applications for a Liquor Control Agent responsible for working in connection with the administration and enforcement of the Liquor Control Act and regulations of the Department and/or the Liquor Control Commission. This includes but is not limited to:
- All functions related to the proper licensing of all credentials for permittees and applicants in the Liquor Control division
- The investigation of alleged violations of the State Liquor Control Act, including but not limited to sale of alcohol to minors and intoxicated persons, improper pricing and labeling, trade practice violations, sales outside of permitted hours, and purchases of alcoholic liquor from prohibited entities
- Collaboration with state and municipal law enforcement to conduct joint actions and provide strategies to enhance enforcement of the Liquor Control Act and regulations
- Trainings or other education related to Connecticut liquor laws and regulations to police groups, federal agencies, and civic and industry groups
- Assisting with office-related duties
The Liquor Control Agent must have strong investigative skills, including the ability to:
- Interview witnesses and targets of investigations
- Examine a wide range of documentary evidence including financial statements, tax records, and other business records
- Inspect premises with an attention to detail to find any violations of the Liquor Control Act and regulations
- Conduct surveillance of persons and permitted premises
- Write and collate comprehensive reports that clearly document findings and identify proper violations
The Liquor Control Agent may be responsible for conducting field investigations and answering questions and working with the general public and other agency employees. An agent should have effective investigatory skills, solid writing skills, strong attention to details, the ability to maintain files and records, knowledge of the e‐License system, and the ability to properly testify at departmental and court proceedings. An agent must be able to work collaboratively as needed but also maintain an individual workload efficiently.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Monday-Friday (some nights and weekends required)
- Full-time
- First shift
- Location: 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford, CT
- Hybrid work environment (combination of on-site and remote work; alternative schedules are permitted with prior approval)
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Selection Plan
To Apply:
- In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
- The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
- Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the Talent Acquisition Professional listed on this job posting.
- All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
- Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply.
Important Information After You Apply:
- This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
- Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
- Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
- Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in making field inspections and conducting investigations in connection with the administration and enforcement of the Liquor Control Act and regulations of the Department and the Liquor Control Commission.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Inspects permit premises or proposed permit premises for conformance with state statutes and regulations under Liquor Control Acts within an assigned territory as follows:
1. Application Investigation: New applications and renewals, Removal applications, Transfer of Stock applications. Interviews principals; investigates background of principals by personal interview, checks police records, etc.; documents source of all finances involved in transaction; examines records and accounting procedures for conformance with policy and regulations; inspects permit premises or proposed permit premises for conformance with proposed physical requirements and recommends alterations as necessary; reports any violations of building or fire codes to appropriate authorities; testifies in legal proceedings both before Commission and within judicial system.
2. Annual Renewal Inspections: Inspects premises annually to confirm ownership, physical facility and class of operation are consistent with conditions of original liquor permit and business operates in accordance with permit; documents findings in inspection report; cites violations for Commission review; testifies in legal proceedings both before Commission and within judicial system.
3. Special Investigations: Receives assignments regarding violation of ownership, selling liquor outside of business hours, etc.; investigates alleged violations of laws and regulations by interviewing complainants, taking statements, observing premises, examining corporate and financial records, personnel files, inventories, etc.; determines nature and extent of violations; prepares comprehensive reports including evidence and documentation; assists in preparation of departmental hearings or court cases; testifies in court and at hearings before Commission.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of investigative methods and techniques; knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; basic knowledge of health, sanitary, zoning and fire code regulations; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to read and interpret blueprints and building plans; ability to utilize computer software.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience in investigatory work, technical or administrative work in the liquor industry or other related industry dealing with the general public.
Note: Related industry is interpreted as any business such as a restaurant, grocery store, pharmacy, etc. which would necessitate some familiarity with liquor statutes and regulations as well as health, sanitary, zoning and fire code regulations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience conducting or overseeing investigations
- Experience writing or reviewing investigative reports
- Experience interpreting or applying administrative statutes
- Experience communicating technical information in response to inquiries
- Experience in de-escalating conflicts
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Incumbents in this class are subject to Section 30-4 of the Connecticut General Statutes which states in part: “…no employee of the Department of Consumer Protection who carries out the duties and responsibilities of sections 30-2 to 30-68mm, inclusive, and the regulations enacted thereunder may, directly or indirectly, individually or as a member of a partnership or as a shareholder of a corporation, have any interest whatsoever in dealing in or in the manufacture of alcoholic liquor, nor receive any commission or profit whatsoever from nor have any interest whatsoever in the purchases or sales made by the persons authorized by this chapter to purchase or sell alcoholic liquor...".
2. Incumbents in this class are subject to work unscheduled hours.
3. Incumbents in this class are required to travel.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate will be made before persons are certified for appointment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Incumbents in this class must be in good health and must have and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, visual and auditory acuity to effectively perform the duties of the class.
2. Applicants may be required to pass a physical examination.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be exposed to threatening situations in the conduct of investigations.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.