Tobacco Inspector - Human Services Investigator - Remote Eligible

Tobacco Inspector

Job Class: Human Services Investigator

Agency: Human Services Dept

Job ID: 94423

Location: Minnesota Northwest Area

Telework Eligible: No

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

Date Posted: 05/22/2026

Closing Date: 06/05/2026

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

Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / BHDH ADAD Tobacco Retail Insp

Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00am to 4:30pm

Days of Work: Monday - Friday

Travel Required: Yes, (90% travel for conducting inspections)

Salary Range: $30.23 - $44.48 / hourly; $63,120 - $92,874 / annually

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: Yes

The Department of Human Services 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.

Travel is 90% within the northeast region of the state of Minnesota. The northeast region currently encompasses 15 counties including Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Isanti, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Pine, and St. Louis.

An employee who, as a condition of their appointment, has their home or alternative location as the assigned work location, works permanently from that location, and does not have an agency permanent/principal work location.

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 (forty hours per week) anywhere within the northeast region of the state of Minnesota. The northeast region currently encompasses 15 counties including Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Isanti, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Pine, and St. Louis. 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; will be permanently assigned to their principal work location; and will not be assigned to an agency facility for their principal work location.

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 advanced level work experience in one of the following: compliance checks, investigations, evidence collection or law enforcement.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience conducting inspections or investigations.
• MUST be able to drive into their region within the first 30 minutes of their workday.
• Must have a valid Driver's License.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Law Enforcement or Criminology, Sociology, Psychology or related field.
• Experience conducting tobacco or alcohol compliance checks as an inspector or underage purchaser.
• Experience writing detailed reports, conducting investigations, and conducting compliance checks.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict while conducting tobacco compliance checks and to mitigate conflicts as appropriate.
• Create narrative reports with language sufficient to be upheld in a court of law.
• Working knowledge of state & federal related 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.
• Competent at using technology such as the I-Phone, I-Pad, GPS System, laptop computer, printer/ scanner.

Additional Requirements

• Pass a Level 5 Public Trust background check.
• Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) criminal background check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. Finalists must pass the DHS background check.
• Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance. It also includes contact with the applicant's former employer(s).
• Eligible to become a commissioned officer of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

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 careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance is needed.