CONSUMER
AFFAIRS SPECIALIST II 5244
DISTINGUISHING
FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class performs the more complex professional work of
licensing contractors; administering and grading licensing exams; and performing
investigations regarding consumer law violations, consumer complaints and
unlicensed contractors according to Suffolk County Code and the New York State
Business Law. Responsibilities may include the training and supervision of
subordinate professional and technical staff within a unit. Incumbents will
utilize their knowledge of trade practices, licensing and consumer protection
laws and regulations administered and enforced by the Suffolk County Department
of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs. Fieldwork is required in order to
gather information and perform inspections for the purpose of resolving
consumer complaints. Responsibility for initiating inspections and acting as a
team leader in the field may be included. An incumbent in this class may
conduct administrative hearings and testify in court actions as a
representative of the Department. This position differs from Consumer Affairs
Specialist I by virtue of its expanded scope and level of responsibility. Supervision is received from a higher-level
Consumer Affairs Specialist through conferences and written reports. Does
related work as required.
TYPICAL
WORK ACTIVITIES
Reviews, evaluates and resolves
consumer complaints of deceptive trade practices and/or any other violation of
codes that are monitored by the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing
and Consumer Affairs;
Conducts onsite visits to
businesses, vendors and consumers to determine compliance with local laws and
requirements; issues violations to unlicensed contractors observed during
investigatory fieldwork; prepares reports of investigative findings, and recommends
further action, including legislation;
May initiate investigations of unlicensed
business operations or deceptive trade practices;
Uses mediation techniques to
resolve issues between dissenting parties in a consumer complaint;
May conduct administrative hearings
and determine dispositions of hearings;
Takes sworn affidavits and
testifies in court actions;
Reviews
license and renewal applications and conducts background checks on applicants;
Administers, grades and may prepare
written and/or practical tests for trade licenses;
May assist a Consumer Affairs
Specialist III in staff training, supervision and coordination of unit
activities;
Gathers information independently
by researching laws, technical material and industry information;
Assists other agencies on the federal,
state and local level in the investigation of consumer complaints;
May attend Licensing Board
meetings;
Keeps records and prepares reports.
FULL
PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough
knowledge of the applicable New York State and local laws, statutes, court
decisions and administrative rulings pertaining to deceptive trade practices,
licensing and consumer protection laws; thorough knowledge of the principles
and methods of investigative field work and mediation techniques; good
knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information
relative to consumer protection; ability to obtain, evaluate and verify
information; ability to interpret contracts and consumer law; ability to devise
and administer written and practical examinations; ability to supervise a
technical and clerical support staff in a manner conducive to full performance;
ability to prepare clear, accurate and comprehensive reports; ability to
establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the
general public; ability to express oneself clearly, both orally and in writing;
good judgment; tact; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the
position.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
OPEN COMPETITIVE
Either:
(a) Graduation from a college with
federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a
Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years of experience in construction trades or in industrial
licensing or regulation, or in the investigation of violations of federal,
state or local laws, codes or ordinances; or,
(b) Graduation from a standard
senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and six (6)
years of experience in construction trades or industrial licensing or
regulation, or in the investigation of violations of federal, state or local
laws, codes or ordinances; or,
(c)
An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the
limits of (a) and (b).
PROMOTIONAL
Two (2) years of permanent
competitive status as a Consumer Affairs Specialist I or Consumer Affairs
Specialist I (Spanish Speaking).
NECESSARY
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
At
the time of appointment and during employment in this title, employees will be
required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York
State.
R
01/30/19
SUFFOLK
COUNTY
Competitive