Talbot County, Maryland

Summary:

The Alcoholic Beverages Inspector/Code Compliance Officer (“Inspector”) is a full-time position that reports to the Chief Code Compliance Officer. This position is responsible for administrative enforcement of the County’s alcoholic beverages laws in addition to performing field and technical work in the enforcement of the Talbot County Code and related permits and licenses. This would include onsite inspections for zoning, housing, public safety, building codes, or property maintenance violations. Also recommending corrective actions to bring about compliance. This would also include issuing abatement orders and civil monetary penalties. The primary work hours for this position are Monday through Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours necessary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 1.      The Inspector shall provide administrative enforcement of the County’s zoning and alcoholic beverages laws in such a manner as to facilitate and promote the cooperation of the license holders in adhering to their license requirements.
 2.      The Inspector shall investigate complaints and violations of zoning and alcoholic beverages laws. Investigation shall consist of interviewing the licensee or their designee, coordination with the proper agencies and reporting investigation results to the Chief Code Compliance Officer or Liquor Board (“Board”) for action if warranted.
 3.      The Inspector will be skilled in identifying and resolving issues associated with permit and license holder standards and conditions to include short-term rentals. The Inspector will be trained in the use of equipment that will assist in identifying noise violations.
 4.      The Inspector shall monitor compliance with license requirements issued by the Department of Planning and Zoning and all special conditions and will act as a liaison between complainants and license holders or their agents to include short term rental licenses.

 5.      The Inspector shall visit and inspect at unannounced times every alcoholic beverages licensed premises in the County. Every licensed premise shall be inspected at least two times a year at a random interval determined by the Inspector. Additional inspections, if required for corrective measures, shall be made and reported to the Chief Code Compliance Officer.

 (a) Inspections of alcoholic beverages licensed premises shall be to ensure the following:

(i) Compliance with hours of sale of alcohol and closing times;

(ii) Compliance with keg registration;

(iii) Compliance with the requirement that all employees who are selling alcohol have received “Training for Intervention ProcedureS” (TIPS) certification within the past four (4) years;

(iv) Compliance with the requirement that sellers and servers of alcohol are of at least the minimum age;

(v) Compliance with the requirement that the current liquor license is displayed properly;

(b) During the inspections, the Inspector shall:

(i) Immediately upon arrival at the licensee’s property, identify himself and show his County identification to the licensee or manager on duty;

(ii) Require the licensee or manager on duty to provide proof of compliance with Paragraph 3 (a) (i) through (v) above;

(iii) Inform the licensee, in writing, of any Chapter 11, Alcoholic Beverages violations and shall notify the appropriate police agency (if necessary) of any violations of the Code that may warrant further legal action;

(iv) Provide the licensee with materials to educate the public about preventing underage drinking;

(v) Use a County-owned vehicle during inspections. 

(c) During the inspections, the Inspector shall not confront or otherwise engage in any manner any customer of the licensee’s establishment or any employee of the licensee’s establishment other than the manager on duty;

 (d) Following the inspection, the Inspector shall report all violations of the County’s alcoholic beverages laws to the Board and to the local jurisdiction in which the licensee’s premises are located.

 (e) Temporary licenses granted by the Board shall only require inspection of the event by the Inspector if it is an event open to the public.

 6.      The Inspector may also conduct onsite observations of the exterior surroundings of the building which houses the alcoholic beverages licensee’s business. The purpose of the onsite observations shall be to ensure public safety. Any observed violations of the alcoholic beverages laws shall be reported to the local policing authority in the jurisdiction in which the licensee’s premises are located.  

 7.      The Inspector shall give monthly written reports to the Chief Code Compliance Officer covering all:

(a)   Inspection activities;

(b)   Complaints;

(c)   Violations either observed or reported;

(d)   Reports and findings of investigations; and

(e)   Attendance at Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) classes.

8.      The Inspector will complete a bi-weekly time sheet for billable blocks of time.  A daily activity sheet will be used for each day that is worked.  The daily activity sheets and bi-weekly time sheet will be submitted together to the Chief Code Compliance Officer.

 9.      A bi-weekly meeting will be held with the Chief Code Compliance Officer and at other times as necessary.

10.  The Inspector shall be trained in the instruction of and promote alcohol education by conducting Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) training sessions for license holders. The mandatory training classes shall be conducted at least once monthly at a designated date, time and place, provided students exist, and more often if approved by the Chief Code Compliance Officer. The Inspector shall receive TIPS training for instruction within 90 days or as soon as feasible after employment.

 11.  Unless performing an inspection, the Inspector may use a personal vehicle while working if he chooses, but will not be reimbursed for mileage.

 12.  Such other duties regarding administration and enforcement of the Talbot County Code, as may be prescribed. 

Qualifications:

Associates Degree from an accredited college plus five years of working experience in a management capacity that includes managing an office, supervising personnel, computer/data base skills OR:  any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the skills cited below.

Physical Demands:

 1. Ability to understand and apply all pertinent codes for Talbot County.

 2.  Ability to gain compliance predominantly through negotiation rather than enforcement actions.

 3.  Ability to read, understand, enforce and explain legal documents, codes, rules and regulations. 

 4.  Ability to effectively supervise Code Enforcement Officers and other assigned staff.

 5.  Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation and math.

 6.  Ability to learn and utilize MUNIS and any other required computer software.

 7.  Ability to oversee the consistent and accurate filing and keeping of permanent records in a

      manner consistent with office procedures.

 8.  Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing and prepare written investigative and

     compliance reports.

 9.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the

     general public.

 10. Ability to handle multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines.

 11. Able to accurately and consistently read and apply all rules and regulations.

Work Environment:

Office and public settings. 

Application:

Apply

Talbot County is an equal opportunity employer. The county does not discriminate on any basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.