State of Maryland

STD0009

SKILLED SERVICE BARGAINING UNIT: X OVERTIME ELIGIBLE NCP

A Public Service Commission (PSC) Field Investigator I is the entry level of work enforcing for-hire passenger regulations by carrier and taxicab companies to ensure regulated vehicles and drivers meet the minimum safety, security, and service requirements. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a higher-level administrator. Employees may be assigned day, evening, night, or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The PSC Field Investigator I, PSC Field Investigator II, PSC Field Investigator III, and PSC Field Investigator IV are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The PSC Field Investigator I learns to perform duties under close supervision. The PSC Field Investigator II performs duties under close supervision. The PSC Field Investigator III performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The PSC Field Investigator IV performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to observe and monitor the activities of for-hire drivers in public places where a driver may pick up or drop off passengers, as well as the premises of their carriers, to determine compliance with PSC statutes and regulations;
Learns to interview drivers to confirm that they are properly licensed by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and the PSC;

Learns to interview dispatchers and/or carrier officials, or by listening over two-way communications devices, to determine which drivers are properly licensed;

Learns to interview passengers to determine if they were charged the rate approved by the PSC;

Learns to determine if carriers are properly registered with the PSC;

Learns to access PSC database(s) to compare PSC records with field observations and investigations;

Learns to review advertisements of for-hire carriers to determine compliance with the PSC regulations pertaining to advertising restrictions placed on fire-hire carriers;

Learns to prepare, discuss, and distribute written daily reports, using Microsoft Office applications, of the locations and activities they observed and monitored;

Learns to prepare exhibits and testimony for use in PSC hearings or in court;

Learns to testify at PSC hearings or in court as to observations and investigations;

Learns to participate and/or leading the training of law enforcement personnel in PSC requirements pertaining to for-hire carriers, vehicles and drivers;

Learns to inspect taxi meters to ensure compliance with the rate approved by the PSC;

Learns to observe for-hire vehicles, recording the vehicle registration and license plate, and any obvious safety or mechanical defects;

Learns to determine if vehicles are properly registered with the MVA and PSC, and if those vehicles have up-to-date inspections;

Learns to communicate with police using communications devices in order to pull over and inspect unsafe vehicles on the road;

May learn to work with law enforcement and other investigative personnel;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the basic methods and techniques applicable to the inspection and testing of vehicles and other common carrier equipment for safe operation;

Knowledge of the elements of accepted vehicle maintenance programs; Knowledge of federal motor carrier safety regulations;

Knowledge of Maryland Public Service Commission regulations and procedures;

Knowledge of inspection techniques;

Skill in conducting inspections to ensure compliance with State and federal commercial motor vehicle safety laws and regulations;

Skill in recognizing regulation violations and determining appropriate course of action; Skill in preparing and maintaining inspection logs and reports;

Ability to use computer systems and Microsoft Office products;

Strong verbal and written communication skills;

Ability to testify in Commission proceedings concerning safety violations and non-compliance findings.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: One year of experience in law enforcement or as a field enforcement agent responsible for assessing and enforcing compliance with motor vehicle laws and regulations.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience in law enforcement activities including vehicle inspections on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute additional experience as described above on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

3. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer involving staff work requiring regular use of independent judgment and analysis in applying and interpreting rules and regulations in accordance with agency laws and policies on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Candidates may be responsible for providing their own transportation as needed to access meetings, remote locations, and job destinations as assigned.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential). As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series. NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series. In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

October 1, 2025

Director, Division of Classification and Salary