Criminal Investigator III - Western Colorado

The mission of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) is to become a trusted partner to every Coloradan to help them navigate the complexities of government so they can thrive. We are driven by our values of service, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect. 

As part of the State of Colorado, DOR offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage

• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage

• Life and AD&D Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)

• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave

• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

Helpful tips for applying: 

Applying for a Job with the State of Colorado.

What Happens After You Apply.

The Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division (LED) serves and protects the Colorado public while supporting a clean, healthy, and responsible liquor and tobacco industry. The Division administers and enforces Colorado’s alcohol beverage and tobacco laws and regulations through regulatory compliance, education, inspections, and criminal and administrative investigations.

As a Criminal Investigator III, you will serve as a certified Peace Officer – Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) responsible for conducting criminal and administrative investigations of licensed liquor and tobacco businesses throughout Colorado. You will conduct inspections and compliance checks, investigate alleged violations, gather and analyze evidence, interview involved parties, and prepare comprehensive investigative reports. This position also conducts undercover and surveillance operations and works closely with local law enforcement and licensing authorities to promote compliance with Colorado liquor and tobacco laws and regulations.

• Conduct inspections, compliance checks, and criminal, administrative, and regulatory investigations involving alleged violations of Colorado Liquor and Tobacco Statutes, Criminal Statutes, and Regulations.
• Respond to complaints and proactively inspect licensed liquor and tobacco businesses to identify violations, determine compliance, and take appropriate enforcement action.
• Conduct interviews of witnesses, suspects, complainants, applicants, licensees, victims, and members of the public to gather information and evidence related to investigations.
• Gather, analyze, and document evidence through investigative techniques including surveillance, undercover operations, database research, public records, and other available technological resources.
• Conduct covert operations and surveillance of liquor and tobacco licensees, including underage sale compliance operations, and coordinate investigative activities with other agencies as appropriate.
• Apply investigative techniques, problem-solving, professional judgment, and applicable laws and regulations to assess compliance, identify violations, and reach sound investigative conclusions.
• Prepare clear, concise, accurate, and comprehensive investigative reports, affidavits, summonses, warrants, charging documents, and other documentation for criminal prosecution or administrative action.
• Exercise statutory peace officer authority when appropriate, including issuing criminal summonses, making arrests, and assisting local law enforcement agencies with liquor and tobacco investigations.
• Collaborate with local licensing authorities, law enforcement agencies, licensees, and other stakeholders to conduct investigations and compliance activities and provide education regarding liquor and tobacco requirements.
• Testify in civil and criminal court and administrative hearings and clearly communicate investigative findings and evidence.

• While the position is considered remote, it is assigned to the Department of Revenue office located at 200 Grand Ave, Suite 202, Grand Junction, 81501. 
• The work is generally performed in the field rather than at the Grand Junction State Office.
• This role supports multiple locations across the state; frequent travel is required in the Western Region of Colorado.
• Reporting to the Grand Junction office or other locations around the state will be necessary on an as-needed basis for meetings with staff and client groups, 
  or for other business needs as determined by the supervisor.

Residency Requirement: 

Class Code & Classification Description: 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must meet the following or a combination of education and experience to meet the minimum (MQ) qualifications:

Six (6) years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in accounting, business administration, public administration, criminology, criminal justice, criminalistics, political science, police science, law enforcement, law, psychology, sociology or a closely related field as determined by the department. 

AND

Two (2) years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment.

AND

Must possess a valid Colorado POST certification that is active, in good standing, and free of any restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of applying.

Substitutions
Six (6) years of relevant experience, as described above, may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation and a tax check prior to appointment to positions in the Liquor & Tobacco Division.
• Must possess a valid Colorado POST certification that is active, in good standing, and free of any restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of applying.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check. 
• Must pass a pre-employment Physical and Psychological evaluation. 
• Applicants must be willing to work nights, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and maintain on-call status while off-duty for emergency and supervisory response. 
• Ability to travel extensively on a daily basis through the designated territory, spanning Grand Junction to  Idaho Springs (west-east) and Wyoming border to Pagosa Springs (north-south).
• Maintains proficiency and qualification with firearms and other defensive equipment assigned and as required by Colorado P.O.S.T.
• Attends all DOR compliance training modules. 
• Certify and maintain certification in arrest control techniques. 
• Applicants must be willing and able to perform heavy lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving objects, occasionally up to 100 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Knowledge of Colorado rules and regulation related to Liquor & Tobacco.
• Demonstrated experience in communication and interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience with administrative investigations in a regulated environment.
• Problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and organize.
• Ability to complete reports in a thorough, accurate and concise manner. 
• Experience with rule making processes.  

NOTE: If submitting a transcript, certification or other relevant materials, candidates may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license (at the time of application).
• Must possess a valid Colorado POST certification that is active, in good standing, and free of any restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of applying.
• Must be 21 years of age or older for this position.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Candidate may be required to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Screen.
• Must be willing to travel on a regular basis throughout the assigned region spanning  from Grand Junction to Idaho Springs (west-east) and Wyoming border to Pagosa Springs (north-south).

Conditions of Employment with the CDOR:

Employees are in a position of public trust in the performance of their job duties and must operate in a manner that maintains the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and public confidence. 

As a condition of employment with the CDOR, all personnel must file all necessary Colorado Individual Income Tax (CIIT) returns and pay tax obligations, therefore all employees must undergo a pre-employment evaluation of their tax records/accounts to ensure compliance with this policy. Final candidates must also complete a successful background investigation and reference check prior to appointment. Certain positions based on duties may require scheduled background investigations.

Pursuant to the Universal Driving Standards Policy, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle. 

To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who: 

• Have an assigned State fleet vehicle

• Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position

• Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

Minimum Qualification Screening

A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application, to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Only complete applications submitted before the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed.

• Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. 

• Cover letters and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

• Recommended attachments: Resume, Cover letter 

• List your employment history starting with the most recent job, including part-time, temporary, and volunteer jobs. If more than one job was held with a given organization, list each job held as a separate period of employment. 

• Information must be accurate, including dates of employment.  If it is found that information provided is falsified, you will not be considered for a job with the State of Colorado and/or may be removed from a job after hire.

• The eligible list established from this posting may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Email Address:

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email.  Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

Appeal Rights: (Updated)

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Compliance

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Revenue is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA inbox, [email protected].

If not applying online, submit application to:

If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application(Download PDF reader). Paper applications must be received via email to [email protected] by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.

Methods of Appointment:

Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created. However, at the discretion of the appointing authority, the position(s) may be filled by another method of appointment for a valid articulated business reason. 

Step Pay Program:

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program, any former or current State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification's pay range based on completed years in their current class series.