STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Consumer Protection Inspector (Food)

Recruitment #260723-2206AR-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is currently accepting applications for a Consumer Protection Inspector (Food) position, in Hartford, CT. 

We Can Offer You
Position Details
  • Full-time, 40 hours/week
  • Monday - Friday, First shift
  • Hybrid schedules available
  • 450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford
The Role 
The Consumer Protection Inspector (Food) can expect to: 
  • Inspect premises, retail establishments, vehicles, equipment, products, processors and distributors of food and food products to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, and regulations
  • Inspect products for adulteration, correctness of weight and accurate, honest labeling and advertising
  • Investigate complaints including those regarding fraud and misrepresentation in sale of foods purporting to be produced or sold under a recognized certifying organization
  • Secure samples for analysis and testing
  • Testify at hearings and in court, gathering information and writing reports
  • Perform related duties as required
ABOUT US
The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is to promote a fair and equitable marketplace and to ensure safe products and services for consumers in the industries that it regulates. 

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.  

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: 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. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
  • This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Sharon McIntosh, at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Consumer Protection this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in conducting inspections to assess compliance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Inspects premises, vehicles, equipment, products, processors and distributors of food and food products to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations and standards to include Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HAACP) evaluations;
  • Inspects products for adulteration, correctness of weight and accurate, honest labeling and advertising;
  • Investigates complaints including those regarding fraud and misrepresentation in sale of foods purporting to be produced or sold under a recognized certifying organization such as but not limited to kosher, hallal or organic;
  • Secures samples for analysis and testing;
  • Testifies at hearings and in court; gathers information and writes reports;
  • May inspect and test commercial scales;
  • May assist in training of new inspectors;
  • May speak before the public as assigned;
  • May assist in performing inspections in other regulated areas in emergency situations;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • food processing, production, marketing and distribution;
    • food sanitation and bacteriology;
    • personal hygiene as related to food production;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • inspection and investigation methods and techniques;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the inspection and enforcement of food laws and regulations OR production and distribution of food OR food bacteriology research OR quality control of food.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in food safety or the food industry as an inspector, quality control operator, or food service employee with food safety responsibilities
  • Experience with interpreting statutes and regulations pertaining to food protection or food safety
  • Experience documenting inspection results and outlining corrective measures necessary for compliance with food safety regulations
  • Experience with food safety programs in food related regulatory agencies or the food industry

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift heavy objects such as cases of food, bags of flour or cartons of manufactured goods, exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions and required to work in tiring positions.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.



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