Consumer Protection Inspector (Occupational Trades)

 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection's (DCP) 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. 

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 a Consumer Protection Inspector (Occupational Trades). 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 position is full-time, forty (40) hours per week, Monday - Friday and located at 450 Columbus Blvd.in Hartford, CT.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.   

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Mitch Samal, Mitchell.j.samal@ct.gov, 860-713-5107.  

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

Incumbents in this class must possess a current unlimited license in an occupational trade (electrician, plumber, etc.) in good standing.

Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Will be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class will be required to safely navigate around active construction sites during inspections, may be required to lift heavy objects, be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions and be required to work in tiring positions.

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.

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 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); ability to analyze an installation for compliance with blueprints and building codes; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of inspection and investigation methods and techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software.

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.

1. 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.
   
2. A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

•         Seven (7) years of experience working in the occupational trades, with two (2) years at the level of unlimited contractor.

•         Experience conducting inspections/investigations without supervision.

•         Experience writing inspection/investigative reports.

•         Experience conducting interviews and gathering evidence.

1. 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.
   
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
   
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

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.

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.