Enforcement Agent Lead

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) is tasked regulating the alcohol and tobacco industries and enforcing illegal alcohol and tobacco activities in Maryland. The ATCC also supports the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) and the legal cannabis industry by conducting inspections and taking enforcement actions when appropriate. The mission of the ATCC is to advance public safety, support economic growth, and reduce public harm by promoting the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis products through consistent and predictable administration and enforcement of laws and regulations, as well as the strategic integration of process management, functional expertise, and the study of operations and administration of similar laws in other states and countries.

The mission of the Field Enforcement Division of the ATCC is to protect consumers from illicit alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis products entering the marketplace as well as ensuring state revenues are protected. The Field Enforcement Division provides guidance to the alcoholic beverage and tobacco industries through a program of inspection, education, and enforcement to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations.  The Field Enforcement Division strives to maximize a culture of compliance with the alcohol, tobacco and cannabis laws and regulations of the state by being adaptable to statutory changes and product evolution, employing modern technology, and advancing state-wide consistency in enforcement.

McHenry Row-Banner Building

1215 E. Fort Ave. Suite 300

Baltimore, MD 21230

This is a supervisory level of work as a law enforcement agent enforcing and investigating violations of the alcoholic beverage, tobacco products and Cannabis / THC products laws for the State of Maryland.  Provide oversight, management, and supervision of the Division’s inspection programs designed to gain voluntary compliance of the regulated industries (i.e. Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis / THC & ESD). Function is to assure proper state licensure, protect revenue sources and the public's health and well-being, and to maintain a fair and balanced environment for Maryland business to compete in. The work of this class involves supervisory, operational, and administrative responsibilities for Enforcement Agents. This position requires separate and distinct supervisory and administrative responsibilities with equivalent level of authority and necessitates the supervisor designation as administrative or operational.

Operational

Plan and supervise criminal investigations involving alleged violations of the laws relating to:

(1) The illegal manufacturing, sales, importation, distribution, and use of alcoholic beverages to protect a source of revenue and protect citizens from the indiscriminate manufacturing and distribution of alcoholic beverages.

(2) To enforce all tobacco, cigarette and ESD laws pertaining to the illegal sales, transportation, storage, possession of contraband tobacco and cigarettes, counterfeit cigarettes, or counterfeit stamps in order to protect revenues and legitimate businesses.

(3) To enforce laws pertaining to cannabis / THC products which are grown, produced and sold in the State of Maryland.  Also, to protect the revenues for legitimate businesses engaging in cannabis / THC products within the State of Maryland.

These essential functions are accomplished by performing the following duties:

• Participate as the on-site supervisor of enforcement personnel assigned to conduct surveillance and investigations both within and outside the State of Maryland.
• Initiates investigations involving alcohol, tobacco, cannabis / THC and ESD violations perpetrated against the state.
• Plan and supervise all types of investigations from conception to completion.
• Review intelligence reports completed by team members and evaluated and make recommendations as to the status and course of ongoing investigations.
• Review all reports completed by investigative personnel for content and accuracy relative to ongoing and completed investigations.
• Ensures that all reports are completed on time and are forwarded to the appropriate staff personnel in accordance with Field Enforcement Rules and Regulations.
• Evaluate all completed case reports for proper presentation to administrative bodies, local, state, and federal prosecutors to be used in Court and Administrative proceedings.
• Oversee the preparation of and execution of search and seizure warrants ensuring proper documentation and notification of property seized to both owners and the Court.
• Participate in and maintain supervisory control of traffic stops of violators and their subsequent arrest to include searches of persons and vehicles incident to the arrest.
• Testify in Circuit and District Court criminal proceedings and in Federal Court proceedings as well as before local Liquor Control Boards and Administrative Hearings within the Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Commission.
• Make recommendations to the Agent in Charge of the FED, Field Operations Bureau, Division Director, or Deputy Director regarding trends for future enforcement efforts based on review and evaluation of data gathered by field operatives and information derived from ongoing investigations.
• Other duties as assigned, to include those relevant to any current or future Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) such as the ones between the Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Commission (ATCC), Maryland Cannabis Commission (MCA), Comptroller of Maryland (FEB), and any other entity.

Administrative Functions

• Prepare monthly unit schedule for routine and specialized investigations to ensure adequate supervision, manpower and availability of other necessary resources.
• Continually update daily work schedule to accommodate changes necessitated by manpower requirements for investigations, Circuit Court and District Court appearances and response to citizen complaints and those generated by allied agencies.
• Act as liaison to the District Court and State's Attorneys Offices to coordinate submission of reports for case prosecutions and appearances by Agents for preliminary inquiries and Court proceedings.
• Ensure proper collection and submission of Uniform Crime Reports to the Agency Coordinator.
• Review for accuracy and coordinate dissemination of State and FBI Fingerprint records to the Central Repository. Attend legislative hearings and other related proceedings to monitor the status of pending legislation or law changes which could impact the Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Commission.
• Monitor and testify before, when necessary, legislative hearings or General Assembly committee meetings.
• Evaluate and analyze legislation or law changes (e.g., pertaining tobacco, alcohol, cannabis / THC, ESD, etc.) and make recommendations to the Division Director or Deputy Director.
• Attend and participate in professional organization meetings and seminars relating to enforcement activity and current investigative trends.
• Address allied professional and government organizations on the current status of Maryland enforcement and investigative activity.
• Conduct training classes for police officers and investigators both on the recruit and In-Service levels at various police academies throughout the State and within the Field Enforcement Division and Bureau.
• Assist in accounting for and documenting the storage of all confiscated property to include evidence, motor vehicles and currency.
• Maintain knowledge of revenue laws, business regulations, and alcoholic beverages laws of Maryland, and changes of these laws, pertaining to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, other tobacco products, cannabis / THC & ESD products and business licenses.
• Conduct periodic inspections of field agents’ equipment, firearms and assigned vehicle to ensure compliance with Division standards.
• Prepare and present mid-year and annual employee performance evaluations.

• Other functions as directed by the Director.
• Completes subordinates PEP’s on or before due date.
• Other duties as assigned to include those relevant to any current or future Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) such as the one between the ATCC, the MCA and the Comptroller of Maryland and any other entity.

General Supervision Activities Supervises and trains enforcement personnel by:

• Being present with and supervising enforcement personnel assigned to various investigations and surveillances.
• Assisting with the planning and supervising of all types of investigations from the start to the completion of the assignment.
• Evaluating Field Intelligence Reports and then assigning and supervising agents to long and short-term investigations,
• Approving and overseeing the completion and execution of search and seizure warrants and the subsequent arrest of any violators.
• Reviewing reports submitted by subordinates to ensure appropriate clarity, detail, and accuracy. Ensures reports are forwarded on time.
• Analyze crime trends, training needs, and the merits of an agent’s case through review of reports.
• Monitoring the coordination and results of enforcement activities between other members of the Division.
• Develop monthly schedule for supervisors and agents to ensure adequate supervision, staffing levels, and coverage of assignments.
• Promoting agent safety during any type of investigation.
• Preparing comprehensive reports as necessary.
• Monitor agent productivity via reported statistics.
• Regularly meet with agents to evaluate their productivity and enforcement activity and to address problems quickly.
• Attend court with agents to monitor their testimony.
• Constantly evaluates training needs and safety issues affecting staff.
• Other duties as assigned, to include those relevant to any current or future Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) such as the one between the ATCC, the MCA and the Comptroller of Maryland and any other entity.
• Keeps abreast of revenue laws, business regulation laws and alcoholic beverage laws of Maryland pertaining to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, other tobacco products, cannabis /THC & ESD products and business licenses. Maintain NCIC computer operator certification.  Available to work in the field as needed for enforcement assignments.

Qualified candidates must have the following minimum qualifications for the position:

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

Experience: Five years of experience as a police officer investigating crimes including motor vehicle accidents and responding to emergency calls for police services or as an Enforcement Agent responsible for assessing and enforcing compliance to laws and regulations pertaining to commodity products such as, but not limited to, alcoholic beverage, tobacco products and related revenue laws and regulations.

Notes:

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

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 two 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. 

Candidates must have the following experience to qualify for this position

Must have six (6) months experience working as an Enforcement Agent at the ATCC.

This recruitment is limited to current employees to the ATCC only

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

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

1. Selection standards for police officer certification are established by the Maryland 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 are subject to call 24 hours a day and must provide the agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

3. 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.

4. Employees in this classification may be required to bear firearms and to demonstrate practical knowledge and proficiency in the safe use and care of firearms on a periodic basis.

5. Employees in this classification may be subject to assignment in any area of the State.

6. Employees in this classification may be subject to long hours of driving to out of State locations.

7. Employees in this classification may be subject to extended workdays on a regular basis.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

For education obtained outside of the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation will be required prior to hire. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that are relevant to this position.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

All application materials must be received in our office by the closing date. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application or emailed to Beth Richard bethe.richard@maryland.gov. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job recruitment number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

Inquiries about this recruitment can be made to Beth Richard bethe.richard@maryland.gov

Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. 

If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or application.help@maryland.gov.

TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay. 

It is strongly recommended that you submit the application online but you may mail your application, resume, and responses to the supplemental questions to ATCC, 1215 E. Fort Ave, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21230.  Your application must be received by the deadline.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentations of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment. 

ATCC is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.