State of Maryland

A Licensing & Regulation Investigator II is the full performance level of work conducting investigations to ensure compliance with State laws and regulations which govern the licensing and practices of business occupations and professions such as real estate sales transactions and home improvement contracting.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an official in the Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration in the Department of Labor.  Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends.  Employees conduct investigations throughout the State requiring extensive travel.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by 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 Licensing & Regulation Investigator I and Licensing & Regulation Investigator II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Licensing & Regulation Investigator I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the duties being performed.  The Licensing & Regulation Investigator II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. 

Investigates and resolves complaints of alleged fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contracts and warranties, poor workmanship, abandonment of work, failure to perform work, unlicensed activities, unethical behavior, and other violations of the laws and regulations governing the work of home improvement contractors, real estate sales agents and brokers and others in business occupations and professions licensed and regulated by the State;

Examines written documents and records such as contracts, receipts and land records to determine the validity of complaints and compliance with laws and regulations;

Interviews complainants, licensees and other interested parties to gather information and collect evidence;

Verifies information obtained for accuracy;

Ensures that all facts are properly substantiated;

Prepares and submits investigative reports and recommends agency action;

Conducts research to ascertain positive identity of alleged wrongdoer;

Schedules interviews, site visits, filing of court documents, review of court documents and other official records;

Determines when technical expertise is needed;

Prepares and provides testimony at administrative hearings and trials in District and Circuit Courts of Maryland;

Prepares statement of charges for criminal proceedings and delivers to the District Court Commissioners for issuance of subpoenas and warrants;

Serves subpoenas on defendants and witnesses to testify at administrative or court hearings;

Inspects and photographs land and work sites in order to document investigations concerning contracts and workmanship;

Explains laws and regulations governing occupational and professional licensing to interested parties;

Assists complainants in filing Guaranty Fund claims against licensed home improvement contractors and real estate brokers;

Completes work status and monthly summaries for review by higher-level administrators and board and commission members;

Coordinates investigations with other governmental and law enforcement agencies;

Collects information and recommends emergency suspension when there is clear and immediate harm to the public;

May hold conciliation conferences;

May represent the State in public education efforts and media interviews;

May be involved in undercover operations;

May consult with home improvement experts concerning the workmanship of a contractor under investigation by the Home Improvement Commission or persons investigated by other boards;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of interviewing and investigative methods, procedures and techniques;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of regulatory laws and basic legal procedures;

Knowledge of rules and regulations governing the work of home improvement contractors, real estate salespersons and brokers and others in business occupations and professions licensed and regulated by the State;

Knowledge of federal, State and local regulations governing construction, building and zoning codes;

Skill in documenting and preparing accurate reports of investigations and inspections in a timely manner;

Ability to investigate and resolve or recommend action to be taken to resolve alleged violations of the laws and regulations governing the work of home improvement contractors, real estate salespersons and brokers and others in business occupations and professions licensed and regulated by the State;

Ability to analyze and interpret legal documents;

Ability to handle situations with irate individuals who disagree with investigative findings.

Ability to testify at administrative and court hearings;

Ability to communicate effectively with consumers, licensed and unlicensed practitioners, attorneys and other parties to the complaint.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: One year of experience conducting investigations of alleged non-compliance with state laws and regulations, which govern the licensing and practices of business occupations and professions.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Compliance Inspection and Support classifications or Compliance Inspection and Support specialty codes in the Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

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 assigned to Bargaining Unit C- Regulatory, Inspection and Licensure classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.