CDA- Consumer Services Inspector (Compliance Specialist I)

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission:

The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment. 

CDA Wildly Important Goals:

To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on five "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Expanding National and International Market Access

• Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders

• Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan

• Goal 4: Implementing the Beaver Strategy

• Goal 5: Providing Education on Animal Mistreatment and Livestock Theft

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans  (www.copera.org)
• Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation

Equal Opportunity

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.

We believe 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.

Organizational Purpose:

This work unit conducts regulatory inspections under the Measurement Standards Act, the Commercial Fertilizer Act, the Anhydrous Ammonia Act, the Egg Law, the Commercial Feed Law, the Custom Processing of Meat Animals Act, the Produce Safety Rule, and the Sale of Meat Act.

Working with the Section Chief and Work Lead, this position will conduct professional inspections to ensure compliance with the laws of the Inspection and Consumer Services Division. Coordinates and schedules inspection work in an assigned geographical area to conduct all required fieldwork, including, but not limited to, inspections, interviews, investigations, tests, certifications, and reporting. Inspections are conducted in the areas of weights and measures, feeds, fertilizers, anhydrous ammonia, eggs, meat-processing facilities, and farm products. Performs statutory enforcement work by inspecting facilities and acquiring samples of products to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations related to proper grading, sanitary conditions, proper labeling, approved procedures, and business practices. Inspects weighing and measuring devices for accuracy and issues license applications. Takes appropriate action to achieve compliance with applicable laws by issuing enforcement actions such as civil penalties, cease and desist orders, stop sales, device rejection orders, and other regulatory actions as necessary. Investigate and attempt to resolve complaints involving regulated products, firms, or individuals. This position has completed the second year of the training period. As a field inspector, this position works independently to verify compliance with the Division programs. This position’s territory will cover Thornton, Westminster, Denver, Aurora, and the surrounding areas. Travel could be up to twelve weeks per year. This position will be required to operate a small-capacity knuckle crane mounted on a small-capacity truck

Conduct Field Inspections and Collect Samples: The position will be assigned a specific geographical territory, where they are responsible for conducting inspections and collecting samples. Specific

• Properly and safely drive a state-issued vehicle to each inspection site,
• Conduct overnight travel, including multiple nights in hotels,
• Complete various regulatory inspections for ICS programs (Eggs, Meat, Weights and Measures, Produce Safety, Feed, Fertilizer, Anhydrous Ammonia, federal contract inspections, and any other inspections completed by the Division)
• Follow all applicable standard operating procedures (SOPs) for division inspections and sampling.
• Complete inspection and sampling reports accurately and in a timely manner,
• Conduct inspections and sample collection for ICS programs and federal contracts.
• Responsible for the protection, care, proper use, and proper maintenance of all assigned equipment. duties include:

Resolve Non-compliance Through Education: This position will educate licensees and the public to promote understanding and compliance with the ICS regulatory program rules and regulations. Specific duties include:

• Educate and inform the licensees of the statutes and regulations, particularly any recent changes,
• Use education as the preferred tool to correct indirect violations before taking regulatory action, and
• Discuss with a licensee the nature of observed violations, discuss the specific observations, and explain any action to take to come into compliance, and answer any questions the licensee may have.

Issue or Assist with Enforcement Actions: This position will be responsible for initiating regulatory actions and investigations within their assigned territory under the Division's jurisdiction to ensure compliance. Duties include:

• Assess and determine the nature of violations, and recommend courses of enforcement action to their supervisor,
• Follow procedures to take appropriate regulatory action, including issuing stop sales, cease-and-desist orders, and other regulatory actions.
• Investigate complaints, violations encountered during regular work, and information received from other governmental agencies,
• Provide timely, accurate, and concise updates, reports, and summaries to the office, and if necessary, work with the supervisor and/or program manager to prepare cases for further regulatory actions, hearings, or possible court action if warranted. Testifies in administrative hearings or court, as needed.

Territory and Time Management:This position is responsible for managing an assigned geographic territory and coordinating work schedules. Specific Duties include:

• Prioritize workload (inspections and sampling) to meet performance goals,
• Maintain awareness and recognition of facilities firms or individuals doing business in the assigned territory,
• Plan overnight travel for out-of-town inspections, prepare and submit itineraries and work plans as requested,
• Utilize maps and other scheduling tools to develop inspection itineraries that promote the most efficient use of all Program and Division resources, and
• Accurately account for hours worked through weekly timesheets, ensuring they do not exceed 40 hours per workweek unless the Program Section Chief approves overtime.

Ongoing Training: This position will complete ongoing training to improve inspection and investigation techniques and procedures, and understand statutes, rules, and policy changes. Duties include:

• Attending scheduled staff meetings and trainings,
• Studying training materials, such as SOPs, materials, and other information from the office.
• Reviewing SOPs and manuals
• Attending third-party training either online or in-person,
• Complete one-on-one training with division staff, and
• Successfully demonstrate competencies related to field inspections and investigations and report writing.

Special Assignments: As necessary, the work unit or division may require additional duties similar to those associated with this job classification. In addition, this position will work with their supervisor and coworkers to identify and complete other tasks necessary for the successful operations of the programs and to ensure a positive and productive work environment.

• Four (4) years experience related to the position (such as; working in an agricultural or other setting that includes driving, inspection, quality assurance, investigation and/or equipment operation)

• A combination of education and experience related to the position (such as; working in an agricultural or other setting that includes driving, inspection, quality assurance, investigation and/or equipment operation equal to four (4) years. 

• Relevant experience working for the State of Colorado.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License with the ability to independently travel.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time. 

• Must be willing and able to travel away from home for weekly business trips, up to 12 weeks per year.

• Circumstances may require position to work outside of regular business hours.

• Ability to work indoors and outside as needed in inclement weather that could include hot, cold, wet, humid, and/ or windy conditions.

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. at a time and pushing/pulling up to 300 lbs. on a two wheeled weight cart across ground, up ramps or stairs. 

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.

• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, create systems and processes and collaborate with and engage others.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.

• Detail oriented.

• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.

• Work well under pressure.

• Strong relationship management skills and excellent representation of the department in community interactions.

• A proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with stakeholders and industry experts.

• Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.

• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
• OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application.  Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to [email protected] by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement.  Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position.  Current experience is preferred.