Criminal Investigator IV - Marijuana Enforcement Division

The mission of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) is to become a trusted partner to every Coloradan, helping them navigate the complexities of government so they can thrive. Our core values of service, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect drive us 

The Department’s vision is to empower businesses and individuals through quality customer service, innovation, and collaboration. We celebrate diversity and support an equitable and inclusive culture. We embrace our differences because we believe this brings innovation to our work. For more exciting information about the Department of Revenue, please enjoy this brief video! 

As part of the State of Colorado, DOR offers a competitive benefits packageto 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 Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) is a dynamic and innovative regulatory agency tasked with licensing and regulating the commercial Medical and Retail Marijuana industries in Colorado. First formed in 2010 as the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, the MED has developed a leading-edge approach to commercial marijuana regulation and is considered a global regulatory and industry leader. The Division implements legislation, develops regulations, conducts regulatory and criminal investigations, issues business licenses, engages in outreach and education initiatives, and enforces compliance mandates using a range of intervention strategies necessary to maintain a progressive and robust regulatory framework. The MED promotes transparency and innovation by utilizing a collaborative approach to engaging with stakeholders and by proactively and positively pursuing solutions to issues in a fast-paced professional environment.

Culture & Environment: The Marijuana Enforcement Division’s culture emphasizes Emotional Intelligence and Problem Solving. Members of our team are solution-oriented strategic thinkers who demonstrate professionalism, collaboration and integrity in all interactions. The MED operates in a dynamic and complex environment that requires members of our team to support one another in navigating new issues, demonstrate agility, embrace challenges as opportunities, and communicate with empathy, respect, and in the interest of progress.

Vision: Regulatory excellence through progressive and proactive compliance and enforcement practices.

Mission: Our mission is to promote public safety and reduce public harm by regulating the Colorado commercial marijuana industry through consistent administration of laws and regulations and strategic integration of process management, functional expertise, and innovative problem-solving.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The work unit ensures marijuana licensees in Colorado operate honestly, fairly and safely, and are free from criminal and corrupt elements. On a daily basis this position is required to make a determination as to whether a violation of criminal statutes, regulations, or standard operating procedures has taken place and is required to make decisions regarding appropriate next steps based on observations, guidance, and Division policy. Investigators are required to respond to inquiries from marijuana businesses, marijuana patrons and other agencies. The position promotes regulatory compliance by recommendations regarding alleged violations and intervening to correct problems where there is a formal rule or law to rely on.

This position will perform as a peace officer to investigate and enforce the Colorado Marijuana Code, Amendment 64, and the Colorado Revised Criminal Statutes, MED rules, and conduct comprehensive regulatory investigations. Duties include:

Criminal Investigations & Enforcement

• Plans and conducts investigations of violations of marijuana and criminal laws.  
• Prepares written investigative reports.   
• Collects and preserves physical and documentary evidence.
• Testifies at hearing or in court as needed.  
• Provides assistance to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies with information on marijuana practices, methods and licensees.  
• Position works collaboratively with other investigators and outside agencies to prepare criminal case filings and assists other law enforcement agencies upon request.
• Reviews information obtained through written reports, interviews, and agency specific data, such as sales reports and inventory tracking data.
• Proactively visits marijuana businesses as an armed peace officer to preserve the peace, prevent and discourage illegal purchase, consumption and other violations of laws.
• Investigates matters by utilizing their subject matter expertise in the area of complex criminal investigations of marijuana licensees.  
• Responds to complaints, issues criminal summonses, conducts interviews of victims and witnesses, and interviews suspects to determine if criminal charges or administrative disciplinary action is warranted.  
• Performs regular underage sale compliance checks of marijuana businesses that can result in criminal enforcement.

Regulatory Enforcement & Investigations

• Proactively visits marijuana businesses monitoring for compliance with Colorado Marijuana Laws and Regulations.  
• Conducts inspections of marijuana businesses and re-inspections of those that have had violations.
• Participates in comprehensive compliance inspections to ensure that licensees, patrons, premises, records and devices are within approved minimum guidelines and licensees and patrons are in compliance with Marijuana Laws and Regulations necessary to ensure the integrity of the marijuana industry.  
• Plans, coordinates and executes effective complex investigations into alleged violations of Colorado Marijuana Laws and Regulations.  
• Prepare written reports for administrative proceedings documenting observations and evidence of noncompliance.
• Utilizes and demonstrates knowledge of inventory tracking when conducting investigations.  
• Initiates recommendations for appropriate disciplinary action for presentation to the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and the State Licensing Authority.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Provides training and delivers presentations to the marijuana industry, outside law enforcement agencies and the public.  
• Responds to verbal and written inquiries concerning marijuana laws, regulations and licensing.  
• Remains current on Marijuana Laws and Regulations as well as pertinent criminal and civil statutory and case law.  
• Maintains proficiency and qualification with firearms and other defensive tactics equipment assigned.
• Leads complex testing and product-safety investigations; serves as the Division’s subject-matter expert; and informs training, policy, risk identification, legislative and rulemaking discussions, and responses to product-safety inquiries.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

Class Code & Classification Description:

A2A5XX Criminal Investigator IV

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only: Eight (8) years of relevant experience in Criminal Justice, Correctional Officer, Peace Officer, Investigator, military experience or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, or
Education and Experience: A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, certification, and/or relevant experience in Criminal Justice, Correctional Officer, Peace Officer, Investigator, military experience or an occupation related to the work assigned equal to eight (8) years.

Necessary Special Requirements: 

• Applicants must be currently certified as a Peace Officer in the State of Colorado. A copy of your POST certificate MUST be submitted at the time of your application. 

• Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation and a tax check prior to appointment to positions in the Marijuana Enforcement Division.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license (at the time of application). 

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check. 

• Must pass a pre-employment Physical, Psychological evaluation and drug screen.

• Applicants must be willing to work nights, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and maintain on-call status while off-duty for emergency and supervisory response. 

• 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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Knowledge of Colorado rules and regulation related to Marijuana Enforcement.

• Demonstrated experience in communication and interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Experience conducting 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. 

• State experience in a regulatory environment.

• Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders with competing interests.

• Proven ability to work independently and accept supervision.

• Proven success organizing and tracking workload.

• Additional years of experience in professional investigative and/or compliance experience in a regulatory environment.

• Outstanding candidates will have recent experience with investigations involving interpreting and applying statutes and researching databases.

• Experience conducting underage compliance checks.

• Experience investigating product or consumer safety concerns.

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Proficiency in Google Suite.

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Experience managing digital records and confidential information.

• Those candidates with previous experience in a regulatory environment are strongly encouraged to apply.
  

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 (Optional if Manager is requesting them)

• 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:

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].

We are committed to building work environments that are inclusive and reflect our communities and the diverse talents of all people.  We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds and abilities to apply.

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.