Consumer Protection Inspector (Occupational Trades)

The Investigations Division protects the public from unfair or deceptive business practices, fraud, and scams that affect the Connecticut marketplace, including those sometimes associated with the occupational trades, home improvement renovation and new home construction. Regulates public health and safety by ensuring that the people performing Occupational Trade work are properly licensed. The Division enforces the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) and helps to mediate disputes between consumers and the contractors or installers.

The Investigations Division has one (1) current job opportunity for an Occupational Licensing Inspector. This position will be assigned to the Occupational and Professional Enforcement Unit to ensure licensing compliance, inspect workmanship, mediate consumer complaints, and conduct site inspections.

The DCP's mission is to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace, safe products and services for consumers in the industries that we license, regulate and enforce. The Department has several divisions and operational groups, each with its own area of expertise including Education and Outreach, Communications, Legislative and Policy, Legal, Drug Control, Foods and Standards, License Services, Investigations, Gaming, Liquor Control, Occupational & Professional Licensing and Operations.

Selection Plan

• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Please ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. Applicants will be unable to make revisions once their application is submitted into the JobAps system. Applicants who submit and subsequently withdraw their application will not be able to resubmit for the same posting.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov .
• For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• The immediate vacancies are listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics

Due to the large volume of applications received, the State of Connecticut is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Hayley Newhouse at Hayley.Newhouse@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Consumer Protection this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in conducting inspections to assess compliance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Inspects worksites in an occupational trades area (e.g. electrical, plumbing and piping, heating and cooling, electronic repair service) to ensure compliance with licensing laws and regulations;
• Investigates assigned accidents and complaints concerning both quality of work and compliance with building codes and standard trade practices;
• Gathers information and writes reports;
• Provides information on licensing, laws, regulations and related topics to individuals or groups;
• May testify at hearings and in court;
• May assist in performing inspections in other regulated areas;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • standard trade practices and system installations within trade area (e.g. electrical, plumbing and piping, heating and cooling, elevator installations and repair, electronic and fire protection systems
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • inspection and investigation methods and techniques;
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • analyze an installation for compliance with blueprints and building codes;
  • utilize computer software.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

  Five (5) years of experience in the electrical, plumbing and piping or heating and cooling trades at the level of unlimited journeyman OR as a television and radio service dealer or electronic technician licensee.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working in the licensed occupational trades with a Plumbing and Piping and/or Heating, Piping, and Cooling type at the level of unlimited contractor.
  • Credentialed Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Assistant Building Official or Building Official
  • Experience conducting inspections without supervision.
  • Experience conducting interviews, gathering evidence, and comprising inspection reports.
  • Experience as an educator within an occupational trades subject matter.
  • Experience working virtually and conducting daily business with the use of Microsoft Outlook including DocuSign

  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  Incumbents in this class must possess a current license at or above the level of unlimited journeyman in one of the appropriate trade areas OR be a current service dealer OR be a certified electronic technician.
  

  Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  

  Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

  WORKING CONDITIONS

  Incumbents in this class may be required to lift heavy objects such as cases of food, bags of flour or cartons of manufactured goods, exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions and required to work in tiring positions.

  Conclusion

  AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

  The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.