State of Maryland

A Comptroller Field Enforcement Agent Chief is the managerial level of enforcement and regulatory work in the Field Enforcement Division of the Comptroller of Maryland.  Employees in this classification are responsible for assessing and enforcing compliance with the revenue laws and regulations pertaining to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, motor fuels, transient vendors and other taxes administered by the Comptroller of Maryland.  Employees in this classification directly supervise Comptroller Field Enforcement Agent Supervisors.

Employees in this classification receive managerial supervision from an Assistant Director or Director of the Field Enforcement Division.  Employees are on call 24 hours a day and travel to designated areas throughout the State and outside the State.  Employees frequently perform duties outdoors in all types of weather where conditions may be hazardous, dirty and uncomfortable.  The work may require lifting heavy objects such as cases of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, restraining violent individuals and climbing, running, stooping and bending.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Comptroller Field Enforcement Agent Chief is differentiated from the Comptroller Field Enforcement Supervisor in that the Comptroller Field Enforcement Agent Chief directs all activities of the Field Enforcement Division and has supervisory responsibility for Comptroller Field Enforcement Agent Supervisors while the Comptroller Field Enforcement Agent Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Comptroller Field Enforcement Agents.

Plans and directs the operations of the enforcement agents and supervisors;

Establishes procedures to ensure an efficient and effective enforcement and inspection program;

Coordinates enforcement activities with Federal, State and local police agencies;

Participates in joint task forces with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies;

Prepares the annual budget for the Field Enforcement Division;

Recommends changes or revisions in revenue laws pertaining to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, motor fuels, transient vendors and other taxes administered by the Comptroller of Maryland;

Directs and participates in high-speed mobile surveillance and pursuits and felony stops and arrests;

Supervises the collection of evidence, chain of custody, arrests and interviews and interrogations of suspects;

Provides guidance and direction in the inspections of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, tax records, licenses, petroleum products, invoices and other documents for the purpose of detecting fraud and assessing compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations;

Reviews investigation reports of the more complex cases in order to determine the merits of arrest and prosecution;

Reviews statistical data for annual reports and F.B.I. required reporting data;

Conducts investigations of criminal and regulatory activities involving alcohol, cigarettes, motor fuels, transient vendors and sales and use taxes;

Testifies at criminal court, liquor board and administrative hearings;

Handles the planning, presentation and evidence for Administrative Hearings for Cigarette and Vehicle seizures;

Plans and may direct in-service training for subordinates in specialized investigation, enforcement tactics and in the use of firearms;

Corresponds with State’s Attorneys, liquor boards and police agencies on matters relating to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Fuel Tax laws;

Administers appropriate disciplinary action in compliance with Police Officers Bill of Rights and appropriate State Personnel Management System rules;

Informs community and civic groups of the role of the Investigative Services Unit;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of revenue laws pertaining to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, motor fuels, transient vendors and other taxes administered by the Comptroller of Maryland;

Knowledge of personnel management, budget procedures and program administration;

Knowledge of principles and techniques of criminal investigation;

Skill in the use of firearms, vehicles, technical equipment and police communication equipment;

Ability to plan and supervise criminal investigations and enforcement activities;

Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with other law enforcement agencies;

Ability to prepare detailed reports;

Ability to train new employees in criminal investigation and enforcement activities;

Ability to secure the confidence and cooperation of the public;

Ability to evaluate evidence for its legal sufficiency;

Ability to present testimony in courts and administrative hearings on behalf of the State;

Ability to communicate effectively with representatives of the industry, owners, managers and licensees.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate as described in the Police Training Commission regulation.

Experience: Six years of experience as a police officer investigating crimes including motor vehicle accidents and responding to emergency calls for police services or as a field enforcement agent responsible for assessing and enforcing compliance with revenue laws and regulations; at least two years of this experience must have been at the supervisory level.

Notes:

1. The above education requirement is set by the Maryland Police Training Commission in accordance with Public Safety Article, Section 3-209, Annotated Code of Maryland.

2. Applicants may substitute additional education in criminal justice or law enforcement, at an accredited college or university, at a rate of 30 credit hours for each six months of the required experience for a maximum of three years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in general inspection, investigation, enforcement, and compliance classification or general inspection, investigation, enforcement, and compliance specialty codes in the logistics field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. After training, employees in this classification will be required to maintain periodic certification of essential marksmanship in the firing of a revolver and other firearms that may be necessary to carry out assignments.

1. Selection standards for police officer certification are established by the Police Training Commission in accordance with Public Safety Article, Section 3-209 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. These selection criteria are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations Title 12, Subtitle 04, Chapter 01 and include the following:

Appointment as a police officer;
U.S. Citizenship;
A complete background investigation;
Oral interview;
Physical examination;
Possession of a driver’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification must have successfully completed the Entrance Level Police Training Course required by the Maryland Police Training Commission and hold a current certification by the Maryland Police Training Commission.

3. Employees in this classification are subject to call twenty-four hours a day and must provide the agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.