STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Liquor Control Special Agent

Hybrid

Recruitment #240408-0936PS-001

Introduction




Are you a current Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection employee looking to grow your career within the agency? If so, read below and apply today!

The State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) invites its agency employees to apply for the position of Liquor Control Special Agent in the Liquor Control Division to support field investigations and coordinate with participating Liquor Control Agents.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

As a state employee, you would continue to have access to the following:

  • 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
  • Continue to 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.
OUR MISSION

To ensure a fair and equitable marketplace, safe products and services for consumers in the industries that we license, regulate and enforce.

POSITION DETAILS

The Liquor Control Division safeguards the health and safety of Connecticut citizens by regulating all persons and firms involved in distributing, selling, and dispensing alcoholic liquor in order to prevent sales to minors and intoxicated persons, maintain product integrity, and ensure that licensed premises are safe and sanitary.

ROLES/RESPONSIBILITY

The Department is currently accepting applications for a Liquor Control Special 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 sale of alcohol to minors and intoxicated persons, improper pricing and labeling, trade practice violations, 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 underage drinking laws; trainings or other education related to Connecticut liquor laws and regulations to police groups, federal agencies, civic and industry groups; and assisting with office-related scheduling and duties.

The Liquor Control Special Agent may be responsible for conducting field investigations and coordinating participating Liquor Control Agents as an acting supervisor.  The Liquor Control Special Agent may need to assist in the training of new agents.

The ideal candidate should have effective investigatory skills, solid writing skills, strong attention to detail, the ability to maintain files and records, knowledge of the e‐License system, and the ability to properly testify at departmental and court proceedings.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

  • Monday - Friday (some nights and weekends required)
  • Full-time
  • First shift
  • Location:  450 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, CT
  • Hybrid work environment (combination of on-site and remote work)
  • Alternative schedules are permitted with prior approval

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

To Apply:

  • 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.
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
  • 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 performing the most complex 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

Performs specialized related duties in conducting and coordinating various investigations including those with appropriate law or other enforcement agencies; conducts renewal inspections of existing premises; pre-approves plans for alterations and additions to permit premises; interviews principals, complainants, permittees, witnesses, etc.; conducts surveillance of suspect premises as required; examines corporate and financial records, personnel files, inventories, etc.; researches records and documents financial sources of businesses; determines nature and extent and cites violations of Liquor Control Act, building or fire codes; prepares comprehensive reports regarding investigations including evidence and documentation; assists in preparation of court cases; testifies in court and at hearings before Commission; provides information to the public concerning relevant agency, state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures; organizes and maintains complaint records and files; checks illegal advertisements within liquor industry including promotional programs and recommends appropriate action; acts as working supervisor for Liquor Control Agents and other personnel when leading special investigations such as violation of ownership, selling liquor to minors or outside of business hours, etc.; acts as liaison with other units and agencies concerning agency policies and procedures; trains new agents; may confiscate liquor or related items; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of investigative methods and techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software; some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) 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 - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been as a Liquor Control Agent or Liquor Control Casino Agent.

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 Liquor Control Investigations.
  • Experience managing investigative case files with numerous witnesses and investigative documents, including financial records, personnel documents, commercial records, and legal records.
  • Experience testifying at administrative hearings.
  • Experience utilizing electronic databases for investigative research.
  • Knowledge of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) and the Liquor Control Act.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class are subject to Section 30-4 of the Connecticut General Statutes 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 may be 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.