State of Colorado Hiring for Compliance Investigator I (Hybrid). at Denver, CO Full Time

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR THE SPECIFIED TIME AND IS OPEN ONLY TO COLORADO STATE RESIDENTS.

Posting will close on September 5, 2024, at 11:59 PM.

INNOVATE. SERVE. BALANCE. IMPROVE. THRIVE.

Are you looking for a career that allows you to improve your world and the world around you? The Colorado Department of State (CDOS) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a position that makes a direct impact on enhancing the lives of Coloradans.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference through the work you do each day, consider joining the dedicated employees of the Colorado Department of State. Whether working from your home or collaborating onsite, your professional experience will be connected and meaningful. Our office offers an RTD Eco-pass (currently free of charge) and is conveniently located near Civic Center Station, RTD light-rail lines, and the 16th Street Mall. In addition to a great location and fulfilling, impactful work, we offer:

• Employee wellness programs and an on-site fitness center
• 12 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off and sick leave
• Access to a diverse array of technical, leadership, and supervisory training opportunities
• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Automatic short-term (and optional long-term) disability coverage
• Excellent work-life balance through flex schedules, flexplace/remote work, and ad-hoc arrangements

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation

Important Note – This Position

• will have the option to work a hybrid work schedule with a combination of in-office workdays and remote work.
• offers excellent work-life balance through flex schedules, flexplace/remote work, and ad-hoc arrangements.

Our Culture & Environment:

Coloradans come from all walks of life and so do we.

Who We Are

Our mission is to make government easy and accessible for people to further democracy, support economic opportunity for all Coloradans, and demonstrate a standard of integrity and excellence. Our vision is to ensure all Coloradans have a voice in our future, help Coloradans and their businesses thrive, and be the best at what we do.

What We Believe

The State of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At the Colorado Department of State, we are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to building work environments that are inclusive and reflect our communities and the diverse talents of all people. We highly encourage people from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.

Our agency website: Colorado Secretary of State’s Office

Description Of Job

Business and Licensing Division

The Business and Licensing Division receives filings such as business and nonprofit registrations, trade names, secured liens, notary public applications, bingo and raffle reports, and charity registrations. Additionally, the Business and Licensing Division licenses durable medical equipment providers, promotes availability of government data, and makes performing rights society information accessible. Most filings are submitted electronically, and the Department disseminates this information to the public through its website.

Investigations and Compliance Unit

The work unit carries out the mandate of the Secretary of State to support and regulate charitable solicitations, the bingo and raffle sectors, investigate complaints against notaries public in Colorado, and assist in investigations for Durable Medical Equipment. The Charitable Solicitations and Bingo-Raffle programs carry out this mission through various outreach, assistance, and enforcement activities, with a focus on consistently improving service to our customers, which include charitable organizations and their donors, bingo-raffle licensees and their games managers, hall owners, players, manufacturers, and suppliers. The Notaries Public program administers the commissioning of notaries in Colorado, and it is the mission of the investigative unit to investigate complaints made against notaries public in Colorado. The investigative team strives to address the needs of this diverse population, and uses data to identify inequities, which then drives policy decisions.

Description Of Job

In this role, you will be a valued member of the Investigations and Compliance Team. You will serve as a field investigator for our Charities and Bingo-Raffle Programs, as well as our Notaries Public and DME Programs. You’ll also conduct audits for compliance with regulations and standards, examine complaints, and examine physical locations, depending on the particular program involved

The ideal candidate will be a critical and creative thinker and be able to work independently as well as on a team. To succeed in this role, it is important that you have outstanding written and verbal skills and are committed to advancing a diverse and inclusive perspective.

Illustration Of Some Key Duties

• Compliance Investigations – You will plan, conduct, complete, and report on complaint investigations of alleged violations of the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act (CCSA), against Bingo & Raffle licensees in Colorado, and violation allegation of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, (RULONA); review/analyze various types of virtual documentation; conduct investigations for compliance with regulations and standards, such as suspected misuse of licenses or permits, suspected fraud, and consumer complaints by licensed, commissioned, or unlicensed parties, or eligibility and qualifications of applicant firms or individuals for licensure, commission, or registration; compile, maintain, and analyze reports and files used during investigations; gather facts by locating and interviewing witnesses and suspects, examining documents for authenticity, and evaluating and presenting facts and evidence to support any recommended administrative sanction; refer law violations to criminal prosecuting authorities in appropriate cases, and offer testimony, evidence, information, and advisory assistance in the prosecution of such cases; develop and sustain collaborative relationships and cooperate with state and local law enforcement on all matters involving or concerning CDOS (Colorado Department of State); ensure that any civil disputes not within our jurisdiction are provided guidance and direction as to the appropriate resource.
• Field Investigations and Inspections – You will work in the field to plan, conduct, complete, and report on investigations and field inspections of bingo-raffle licensees; work to improve customer compliance by instructing customers on required bookkeeping and funds accountability procedures, helping customers to institute and maintain such procedures, and assisting in the prevention and correction of “skimming” in connection with bingo-raffle activities; work with Charities, Fundraisers, Notaries Public, and Bingo & Raffle Licensees through education and compliance; gather facts by locating and interviewing witnesses and suspects, examining documents for authenticity, and evaluating and presenting facts and evidence to support any recommended administrative sanction, if education is not enough; refer law violations to criminal prosecuting authorities in appropriate cases, and offer testimony, evidence, information, and advisory assistance in the prosecution of such cases; develop and sustain collaborative relationships and cooperate with State and local law enforcement on all matters involving or concerning CDOS.
• Structured Customer Education & Outreach -You will educate and inform the public, primarily those living in retirement communities, of the CCSA, and how to best protect themselves from unwanted or unlawful charitable solicitations; educate and inform bingo-raffle licensees using an established training curriculum; instruct customers on the requirements of Colorado law governing the conduct of charitable gaming; remain current on bingo law and rule changes and make changes to the way we teach classes for games managers to keep them up to date with the current bingo landscape; support the CDOS e-learning initiative by assisting in the revision of online course materials; collect and analyze examples of charitable solicitations and inspect these examples for compliance with the CCSA.
• Customer Support – You will answer, evaluate, record, and process (or, when necessary, refer/recommend for further action) email, telephone and in-person complaints, problems, and questions received in the office during business hours; refer customer cases to management or other entities for further action, when appropriate; use tracking and reporting management software to track interactions; remain aware of emerging technologies and seek opportunities for training to remain conversant with this technology.
• Professional Development & EDI (Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion), & Other Duties as Assigned – You will continue to improve and develop new skills through ongoing training provided through the Secretary of State’s office or other State agencies. You will attend and complete all EDI training and participate in EDI office-wide initiatives to advance an inclusive culture. You will be committed to advancing a diverse and inclusive workplace by being open to and valuing new views and opinions and being ready to seek them out and bring down barriers that may be keeping these diverse perspectives out of programs or initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

A Human Resources Specialist will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Include any relevant unpaid work, trainings, or certifications, as these may apply toward minimum qualifications. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application, as experience will not be assumed or inferred. Do not use “see resume” or “see attached” statements on your application. Resumes WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application but may be attached. Part-time experience will be pro-rated. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application may also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

Education

This position requires a total of 5 years of relevant professional experience and/or education in a field of study related to the work. To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate that you meet one of the following options outlined below:

OPTION 1 – Experience

Five years of professional experience as an investigator, which included evaluating applications, records, or documents for eligibility or to identify compliance issues that require follow-up or investigation, and conferring with or interviewing officials, technical or professional specialists, or applicants to obtain information or to clarify relevant facts.

OR

OPTION 2 – Experience and Education combined – Be sure you’ve attached a copy of your unofficial transcript to qualify for this option.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Law Enforcement, Law, Finance, Business, Psychology, Sociology, or a closely related field. Education may substitute for the professional experience on a year-for-year basis.

PLUS

any remaining years of professional experience as an investigator, which included evaluating applications, records, or documents for eligibility or to identify compliance issues that require follow-up or investigation, and conferring with or interviewing officials, technical or professional specialists, or applicants to obtain information or to clarify relevant facts to equal a total of 5 years between education and experience combined.

• If additional application materials are requested or required of an applicant at the time of initial application, the applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
• An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of the application, if applicable.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Regulatory Knowledge – Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and standards pertinent to the industry and jurisdiction.
• Investigative Techniques – Proficiency in investigative methods, including interviewing, evidence collection, and forensic analysis.
• Verbal and Written Communication Skills -Both written and verbal communication must be clear and effective for reporting findings and interacting with stakeholders.
• Judgement and Decision-Making Skills – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Complex Problem-Solving Skills – The ability to think critically and develop solutions to compliance issues.
• Interpersonal Skills – The ability to build relationships, gain trust, and work collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
• Microsoft Office Application Skills – Working knowledge of applications and programs used by the Microsoft Office operating system.
• Committed to Advancing a Diverse and Inclusive Perspective – Open to and values new views and opinions and is ready to seek them out and bring down barriers that may be keeping these diverse perspectives out of the program or initiative.
• Ethical Judgment and Integrity – Strong ethical principles are necessary to ensure impartiality and integrity in investigations.
• Organizational Skills and Attention to Detail – Efficient management of multiple cases and tasks, ensuring timely and effective completion, while being able to identify discrepancies and ensuring thorough examination of documents and processes.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Analytical Skills – The ability to analyze data, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions is crucial.
• Persuasion -Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Financial Acumen – Understanding of financial systems, accounting principles, and financial statements to identify unusual patterns or discrepancies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Preference will be given to those candidates with previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position
• Experience interpreting laws and regulations
• Experience searching databases
• Experience using the Microsoft suite of products
• Experience evaluating applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or compliance issues
• Experience preparing reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations, or decisions
• Experience conferring with or interviewing officials, technical or professional specialists, or applicants to obtain information or to clarify relevant facts
• Experience visiting establishments to verify that standards and requirements are being upheld
• Experience identifying compliance issues that require follow-up or investigation
• Experience verifying that a third party complies with policies and procedures that have been documented, implemented, and communicated
• Experience responding to questions and inquiries around compliance of statute, law, and rule
• Experience preparing course materials and presenting training classes to adults
• Experience auditing financial documents
• Experience with public speaking

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• This position will be required to successfully pass a background check.
• Travel is required to complete the duties and responsibilities of the position, as well as possibly for professional development opportunities.
• Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed, and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at [email protected] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules .

Supplemental Information

Notifications

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/evaluation process will be via email. Include your current working email address on your application and check your email frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from “coloradosos.gov” and [email protected] addresses. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

• A Human Resources Specialist will only review the “Work Experience” and “Education” sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the qualifications for this position.
• Cover letters and resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado application form.
• Cover letters and resumes may be attached to the application as supplemental information.
• The minimum qualifications listed in the announcement are NOT optional.
• To move forward in the hiring process, you must document that you meet the minimum qualifications on the online State of Colorado application form.
• Do not use “see resume” or “see attached” in the State of Colorado online application.

Comparative Analysis

• The comparative analysis process is used to identify candidates that will move forward in the selection process.
• The comparative analysis may consist of application reviews, phone screens, structured interviews, and any other method determined to be valuable in identifying the right candidate.

Completing the Application

It is very important that you fill out the application completely and give a detailed description of your education and work experience. Failure to do so may result in rejection of your application during the minimum qualification review or subsequent comparative analysis. Your application should address the education, experience, required competencies and preferred qualifications. Ensure that you have included all required attachments, including your transcript if applicable.

FAILURE TO DOCUMENT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EXCLUDING INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE APPLICATION MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.

ADAAA Accommodations and Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of State is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Laura Darby, at [email protected] or call (303) 894-2200 ext 6113 or Kathryn Mikeworth, at [email protected] or call (303) 894-2200 ext 6312.

E-verify

The Department of State participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program’s Right to Work for all newly hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you will be required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at http://dhs.gov/e-verify .