Consumer Protection Agent I

Section: Bureau of Consumer Protection/Public Protection DivisionClass: Consumer Protection Agent ILocation: HarrisburgTelework: This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week. You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, UnionWork Hours: 8:30 – 5:00Salary Range: Starting salary of $55,436Basic FunctionAn employee in this position is responsible for mediating consumer complaints, investigating violations of consumer laws, and educating the public on the function and jurisdiction of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Employees utilize a variety of investigative techniques including interviewing witnesses and complainants, and reviewing business records, correspondence, and other documents. An employee receives assignments from a supervisor or attorney. Work is evaluated by a supervisor to ensure the compliance with protocols and procedures as well as the utilization of appropriate investigative techniques when collecting and evaluating evidence and to ensure that employees reach sound conclusions in investigative and mediation work.Conducts, or assists with the conduct of, investigations into fraud, misrepresentation, and deception in the sale, servicing, and financing of consumer goods and products, and into commercial and trade practices in the distribution, financing, and furnishing of goods and servicesCollects, or assists with the collection of, evidence by interviewing parties and witnesses to obtain testimonies, and examining business records, correspondence and other documentsEvaluates, or assists with the evaluation of, collected information by comparing various witness or party testimonies to one another and comparing collected written information to witness and party testimonies in order to verify factsPrepares, or assists with the preparation of, subpoenas and access letters, and serves subpoenasPrepares, or assists with the preparation of, written summary reports by writing an evaluation of the collected(evidence)information and recommending the course of action to be taken based on the evaluationConducts, or assists with the conduct of, hearings on consumer complaintsTestifies in court as a prosecution witnessAppears before public consumer groups in order to disseminate consumer related informationRecommends changes in business practices so that businesses may avoid violating of consumer lawsPerforms, or assists with the performance of, undercover assignments by posing as a consumerPerforms related duties as requiredA Bachelor's Degree ORFour years of investigative, paralegal, consumer relations, or other applicable areas of experience ORAny equivalent combination of experience, training or educationKnowledge of investigative principles and techniquesAbility to ascertain facts by interviewing parties and witnesses and examining business records, correspondence, accounting ledgers, and tax returnsAbility to establish and maintain effective rapport with parties and witnessesAbility to evaluate and analyze significant and relevant facts, figures, reports, and other information and draw sound conclusions from the informationAbility to assemble, organize, interpret, and present information relevant to laws, rules, procedures, reports, and other sources both orally and in writing to persons with varying degrees of information and technical expertiseAbility to motivate, lead, and persuade persons with differing viewpoints, priorities, and objectives to resolve existing problems and differencesAbility to effectively communicate with the public and other governmental agencies