Consumer Protection Investigator-Advanced

INTRODUCTION: 

Who We Are: The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works hard to protect and promote Wisconsin’s agricultural industries and consumers. As an agency, we strive to serve the people of Wisconsin assuring: safe, wholesome food; consumer protection and fair business practices; animal and plant health; a clean environment; and strong agriculture and commerce. To successfully attain these goals, we recognize our success hinges on the diverse, well qualified, dedicated staff we employ and retain.

What We're Seeking: DATCP’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection is recruiting for a Consumer Protection Investigator-Advanced to fill an employment opportunity with the Bureau of Consumer Protection. 

What We Do in the Bureau of Consumer Protection: 

• Operate Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection Hotline; consumers can contact our hotline staff by email or through our toll-free hotline.
• Handle over 11,000 new consumer complaints every year.
• Administer Wisconsin’s telemarketing “Do Not Call” Law (over 5 million Wisconsin numbers are registered).
• Educate consumers on best practices to combat and avoid identify theft and offer recovery services to identify theft victims.
• Regulate hazardous consumer products.
• Enforce environmental regulations related to consumer products.

Where We’re Located: This position is located at the Prairie Oaks State Office Building situated on Madison’s southeast side and nestled atop a beautifully wooded and scenic hilltop venue. Our employees enjoy ample, low-cost parking at the facility. We are only minutes away from the Beltline Highway, Interstate 90 and Highway 51 for quick access to local restaurants, retail and service locations.

Remote Work Option: This position may have the ability to work remotely up to 6 days per 2-week pay period after a 2-week in person training period. An approved remote work agreement is required before an employee may work remotely. Approval of the employee’s remote work agreement and work schedule will vary based on the operational needs of the Division. All DATCP employees who work remotely are required to work in Wisconsin.

Employee Benefits: The State of Wisconsin offers an excellent benefits package, which includes 17.5 days (non-Exempt) of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options, and an exceptional retirement plan!

By working for Wisconsin State Government, you may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Please click the link for details.

Click here to check out what working for the State of Wisconsin is all about! 

This posting may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position performs advanced investigative work on the Bureau’s most complex consumer protection cases. Work at this level is distinguished from lower level investigators by the employee’s ability to consistently develop the most complex investigations; utilizing a full range of investigation and compliance skills. The employee normally develops these investigations through specific assignments of complex cases involving civil/criminal activity, which frequently have statewide, nationwide, industry-wide impact.

For more information, please review the full position description.

SALARY INFORMATION: 

The classification for this position is Consumer Protection Investigator-Advanced which is in schedule-range 05-15 with starting pay $28.43 per hour based on qualifications. This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan at the time of hire. A 12-month probationary period is required. 

JOB DETAILS: 

DATCP does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the selected applicant being able to provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.

A criminal background check will be performed on the selected applicant prior to an offer of employment.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license or the ability to provide one’s own transportation for work purposes is required.

A valid driver’s license and the eligibility to drive a State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle* is required.

*In order to be authorized to drive a State vehicle the candidate must meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy, which are:

• Must have a valid driver’s license;
• Must have a minimum of two years of licensed driving experience;
• Must be 18 years of age.

Additionally, your driving record MUST NOT reflect any of the following conditions:

• Three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two years;
• Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)/Driving Under the Influence (DUI) citation within the past 12 months;
• Suspension or revocation of driver’s license.

Regular in-state travel of approximately 10% of the time with occasional overnight stays, is required.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Minimally qualified candidates must have each of the following:

• Experience coordinating investigations with professional level entities (other state enforcement agencies, district attorneys, officials from other states, federal agencies, etc.).
• Experience working in mediation (assist internal/external customers and/or stakeholders by interpreting data, obtaining information, mediating disputes, etc.).
• Experience analyzing law/statute/code (reviewing and analyzing laws/regulations, reviewing customer complaints for violations of local/federal/state law, interpreting, and explaining department policies and procedures to clients/customers/businesses, etc.).

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, highly qualified candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Experience preparing investigatory cases for prosecution (report writing, drafting/serving subpoenas, recommending penalties/damages, testifying in depositions/hearings/court, working with local/state/federal law enforcement agencies, issuing warrants, etc.).
• Experience with compliance activities (preparing/presenting facts and evidence, providing oral/written recommendations to involved parties, preparing enforcement documents including: Voluntary Assurances of Compliance, Stipulated Consent Orders, Special Orders, and subpoenas, etc.).
• Experience with developing training guides or public facing resources related to consumer protection topics for external stakeholders. 

It is critically important your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated criteria. The job experts who evaluate your application materials must be able to make an accurate assessment regarding your qualifications. Applicants who do not meet at least the minimum qualifications or who do not clearly identify minimum qualifications will be ineligible to continue in the selection process.

HOW TO APPLY: 

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: # 18337 to complete your application for this posting.

DATCP is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.  For complete information on veterans hiring programs that may benefit you, please visit the Employment page on WDVA's website. 

To be considered for this position, you will need to create an account in Wisc.jobs (if you don’t already have one) and apply online via the “Apply for Job” button listed on the top right of the announcement page. You will be required to upload a current resume and a letter of qualifications that clearly describes your qualifications and experience as they relate to the qualifications listed in this job posting. Review the applicant resources, including tips on how to write a resume and letter of qualifications. 

Submitted materials will be evaluated by one or more job experts. Candidates who are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, starting with those candidates who are deemed most qualified. 

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

For general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance, please see the wisc.jobs Frequently Asked Questions page.  Questions related to the application process can be directed to Varinderjit Kaur at Varinderjit.Kaur1@wisconsin.gov.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 

The deadline to apply for this position is at 11:59 p.m. on July 28, 2025.