Criminal Investigator III - Western Colorado
About the Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division
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.
What You'll Do
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.
Primary Job Duties
- 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.
Work Location and Travel
This position is considered remote, however the work is generally performed in the field rather than at the office. It is assigned to the Department of Revenue office located at 200 Grand Ave, Suite 202, Grand Junction, 81501. 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.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Six (6) years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment.
OR
Education/Experience: 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.
Substitutions: Six (6) years of relevant experience, as described above, may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.
Note: 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.
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
- 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.
Conditions of Employment
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.