Criminal Investigator III (Colorado Springs) Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement Division (Remote)

About the role

The Criminal Investigator III in the Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement Division is responsible for conducting investigations of licensed liquor and tobacco businesses to ensure compliance with Colorado laws and regulations. Duties include performing inspections, compliance checks, and undercover operations, preparing investigative reports, and testifying in administrative or criminal proceedings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections, compliance checks, and undercover investigations of alleged violations of Colorado Liquor and Tobacco statutes and regulations.
• Interview witnesses, suspects, complainants, applicants, licensees, and the general public to detect, discover, and obtain additional information or evidence related to the investigation.
• Utilize Public Service Record (PSR) CSP evidence tracking system, Callyo, and other databases to support administrative and criminal investigations.
• Make physical arrests when necessary for violations of law during liquor and tobacco investigations, consistent with Department policy.
• Conduct covert operations and/or surveillance of a Colorado Liquor or Tobacco license to produce evidence for an alleged administrative action or criminal prosecution.
• Respond to complaints and proactively visit/inspect Colorado liquor and tobacco licensed businesses as an armed peace officer to prevent and discourage the prohibited possession, sale, and consumption on or off the licensed premises.
• Collaborate with local licensing authorities and law enforcement in conducting compliance checks of tobacco licensees to ensure all Synar checks and statutory requirements are completed.
• Conduct interviews of complainants, applicants, and licensees for approval or denial of a license or administrative proceedings involving liquor and tobacco regulations.
• Provide clear, concise, accurate, and factual summaries of investigations, both orally and in writing, for criminal and administrative prosecution.
• Plan and perform regular underage sale compliance checks of liquor and tobacco businesses that may result in criminal enforcement.
• Prepare sworn affidavits for judicial review for warrants related to liquor and tobacco criminal violations.
• Testify in civil and criminal court and administrative hearings.
• Assist local police agencies by providing law enforcement support in relation to liquor and tobacco investigations.
• Conduct physical arrests when appropriate in relation to liquor and tobacco investigations.
• Draft Operational Plans to outline operational staffing, objectives, necessary equipment, and other operational awareness intelligence for review by supervisory staff and management.
• Coordinate operations with the underage operative to address operation logistics to ensure a sufficient number of operations are conducted annually.
• Ensure accurate time is reflected on the timecard being submitted to an Agent in Charge for review.
• Conduct assigned investigations of alleged EBT violations.
• Communicate with licensees and conduct site visits to investigate EBT violations.
• Send notifications to licensees outlining violations that require correction.
• Accurately document all work time and leave in the Department time-tracking database, Ultimate Workforce Development (UKG).
• Submit approvals for all overtime requests to the supervisor.
• Maintain a Google calendar schedule to include daily activities, locations, and other supervisor expectations.
• Attend all Department training, both in person and online, and review all appropriate resources as it pertains to job duties and assignments.
• Maintain required certifications to include but not limited to arrest control/defensive tactics, firearms, CCIC, and other certifications and training as mandated by the Department of Revenue and POST.
• Prepare comprehensive investigative reports for criminal and administrative case files consistent with Division policy within the minimum timeframe guidelines established.
• Prepare Demand for Records, summonses, arrest warrants, and search warrants as necessary.
• Draft charging documents for cases referred for administrative action.
• Maintain spreadsheets as assigned to accurately reflect duties performed for Division statistical purposes, keeping supervisory staff apprised of activities and accomplishments.
• Provide training to local authorities, law enforcement, industry stakeholders, and the general public in an effort to ensure comprehension and compliance with liquor and tobacco requirements.

Requirements

• Must meet the following or any combination of experience/education to meet the minimum (MQ) qualifications:
• Experience: Six (6) years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment.
• Education/Experience: A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years. 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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 Pagosa Springs to the Kansas border (west-east) and Centennial.

Skills

• Proficiency in using Public Service Record (PSR) CSP evidence tracking system, Callyo, and other databases.
• Knowledge of Colorado Liquor and Tobacco laws and regulations.
• Ability to conduct undercover operations and surveillance.
• Strong interviewing and investigative skills.
• Effective communication and report writing abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities.
• Knowledge of EBT violations and ability to communicate with licensees.

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees, including PERA retirement benefits, 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).

Pay

The pay range for this position is $58,000 to $92,000 annually.

Schedule

The Criminal Investigator III works nights, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and maintains on-call status while off-duty for emergency and supervisory response.