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Working Title: Tobacco Investigator

Job Class: Human Services Investigator

Agency: Human Services Dept

+ **Job ID** : 91397

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : No - The incumbent of this position is considered a remote worker, which is a term and condition of the appointment.

+ **Full/Part Time** : Part-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Unlimited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 01/13/2026

+ **Closing Date** : 01/26/2026

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office

+ **Division/Unit** : Department of Human Services (DHS) / Office of Inspector General (OIG)-PIO Retail Tobacco Program

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

+ **Days of Work** : Monday and Tuesday

+ **Travel Required** : Yes

+ **Salary Range:** $30.23 - $44.48 / hourly

+ **Classified Status** : Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

+ **FLSA Status** : Nonexempt

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DHS does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

_*Approximately, 90% travel._

_*This is a part-time position working approximately 20 hours per week._

_*The incumbent of this position is considered a remote worker, which is a term and condition of the appointment._

The incumbent in this position will conduct inspections on behalf of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce compliance with all federally mandated tobacco laws and regulations. In addition, this incumbent is responsible for gathering on site data that is used for the purpose of research and enforcement by the FDA Center for Tobacco Products. This incumbent will also conduct inspections on behalf of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to determine the state’s official tobacco retailer violation rate.

This position conducts inspections on a daily basis (twenty hours per week) anywhere within the southwest region of the state of Minnesota. The southwest region encompasses 22 counties within the boundary from Lac Qui Parle to Rock north to south and Pipestone to Waseca west to east. The incumbent of this position is considered a remote worker, which is a term and condition of the appointment. As a remote worker, the incumbent will have their home, or an alternative location assigned as their principal work location and will not be assigned to an agency facility for their principal work location. A vehicle will be provided for the incumbent’s use while conducting inspections and official business.

The duties and tasks of the incumbent include but are not limited to conducting compliance tobacco check inspections as required by the FDA Center for Tobacco Products and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Tobacco Compliance Inspectors will carry out two types of tobacco compliance check inspection assignments:

1. Undercover buys to determine retailer compliance with age and photo identification requirements and other federal regulations under the Tobacco Control Act 2009.

2. Advertising and labeling inspections, which determine retailers’ compliance with the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act 2009 in reference to laws and regulations that have been put in place to protect the health of America’s youth by not selling, marketing, or advertising cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products primarily to underage children and adolescents.

Minimum Qualifications

_**To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.**_

Two (2) years of professional experience in one of the following: compliance checks, investigations, evidence collection or law enforcement.

AND

Experience must demonstrate to the following:

+ Plan, organize, and conduct inspections.

+ Use of technology such as the I-Phone, I-Pad, GPS System, lap top computer, printer/ scanner.

+ Create narrative reports with language sufficient to be upheld in a court of law.

+ Maintain a valid Driver’s License.

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Law Enforcement/Criminology, Sociology, Psychology or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree or higher in Law Enforcement or Criminology, Sociology, Psychology or related field.

+ Skilled at using technology such as the I-Phone, I-Pad, GPS System, lap top computer, printer/ scanner.

+ Experience conducting tobacco or alcohol compliance checks as an inspector or underage purchaser.

+ Ability to deal effectively with conflict while conducting tobacco compliance checks and to mitigate conflicts as appropriate.

+ Have a working knowledge of state & federal statutes.

+ Ability to work independently and make critical decisions in the field.

+ Strong written and oral communication skills.

+ Ability to de-escalate hostile situations and mitigate risk to the underage purchasers and public at large.

+ Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Incumbent must be able to access their region within the first 30 minutes of the workday.

Eligible to become a commissioned officer of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

This position requires successful completion of the following:

It is the policy of the Department of Human Services that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, including the following components:

+ Federal Background Check

+ Criminal background check

+ Reference check

+ Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)

Complete the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Awareness training within 3-business days from the start of employment; and successfully obtain/retain CJIS certification annually.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.