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Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors, also known as health and regulatory Inspectors, examine, test, and investigate the condition of plants and animals, the quality of consumer services and products, and the operation of businesses to verify and enforce compliance with public laws, regulations, and standards for health, safety, and other matters.

JOB DUTIES

Inspectors may:

Visit establishments to investigate sanitary conditions

Collect samples of products for bacteriological and chemical laboratory analysis

Inform individuals of specific regulations affecting their establishments

Assure that required licenses and permits have been obtained and are displayed

Assemble evidence of violations of laws

Investigate an individual for a special license or permit

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors may specialize in these areas:

168.267-062 INVESTIGATORS investigate business establishments and individuals to settle claims or ensure compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations.

168.267-042 FOOD AND DRUG INSPECTORS inspect establishments where food, drugs, cosmetics, and similar consumer items are manufactured, handled, stored, or sold. They enforce legal standards of sanitation, purity, and grading.

168.167-022 IMMIGRATION INSPECTORS are law enforcement agents who regulate the entry of persons into the United States according to immigration laws.

168.167-014 EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY REPRESENTATIVES investigate employers and existing employment practices to detect and correct discrimination.

168.267-054 INDUSTRIAL WASTE INSPECTORS inspect industrial and commercial waste disposal facilities and investigate the source of pollutants in municipal sewage and storm drainage systems to ensure conformance with ordinance and permit requirements.

168.167-062 OCCUPATIONAL-SAFETY-AND-HEALTH INSPECTORS inspect places of employment to detect unsafe or unhealthful working conditions.

160.167-046 CHIEF BANK EXAMINERS direct the investigation of banking practices throughout a state to enforce the state laws governing banking procedures and the solvency of financial institutions. They also investigate applications for mergers and new banks to determine whether or not they would be in the public interest.

168.167-042 HEALTH CARE FACILITIES INSPECTORS examine the physical facilities, staff, and operating procedures of health care facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and extended care centers, to enforce the public health laws.

168.267-022 CUSTOMS INSPECTORS examine cargo, baggage, and individuals entering or leaving the United States to enforce the customs' and related laws.

Other Inspectors may be designated according to their function or the agency where they are employed and have titles such as agricultural commodities inspector; motor-transport inspector; internal revenue investigator; postal inspector; welfare investigator; dealer compliance representative; alcohol, tobacco, and firearms inspector; and wage and hour compliance inspector.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors work individually, although they can and do work as team members.

Inspectors work in a variety of geographic locations and may work indoors as well as outdoors, depending upon the nature of work being performed. Many work in clean, well lighted, and well-ventilated offices. Inspectors may work under unfavorable working conditions and may be exposed to various weather conditions.

Many hours beyond the normal 40-hour workweek may be required. Immigration Inspectors, for example, are required to be on call 24 hours a day and may be away from their official stations for extended periods of time. If travel is required, an automobile may be furnished.

Some Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors are required to wear aprons and/or purchase rough duty uniforms.

Almost all Inspectors work for governmental agencies. All positions of employment with the Federal or State Government are controlled by the corresponding Civil Service Commission.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with communication of information

• Activities involving business contact with people

• Activities which help and protect people

• Activities of a scientific or technical nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Make decisions using personal judgment/logic/verifiable criteria

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Accept responsibility

• Communicate effectively with others

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A water sample is tested at 100 parts per million benzene. How many micrograms of benzene are there per liter of water?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Consent decree pollutants contain both individual chemical species as well as classes of compounds. In some instances, separate criteria for each chemical in a class are derived because even relatively small structural changes can significantly affect chronic toxicity.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Written analysis of observations following an inspection of sanitary conditions in an organization.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Excellent analytical, organizational, and detail oriented skills in inspecting products and organizations and ensuring compliance with public laws.

The federal government requires a passing score on a civil service examination for Inspectors. Some positions require a bachelor's degree. Open positions are listed at the Office of Personnel Management in your area. Federal Inspectors are also tested for drug use before being hired and at random times throughout their career. State and local-level employers require similar qualifications.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1300 ENGLISH , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

028 LAW ENFORCEMENT

Approved vocational education programs in Law Enforcement prepare students in theories, principles, and techniques of developing, administering, and managing services for the safety and protection of people. Trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

066 FOOD SCIENCE

Programs in Food Science provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for the operation and management of industrial plants which process fruits, vegetables, meat, milk, poultry, and other food products.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

147 PUBLIC HEALTH

Programs in Public Health provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to protect the health of all people in the community. Public Health is concerned with health maintenance and improvement as well as health-related laws, rules, and regulations. Directors of Public Health programs may be physicians or other highly qualified health officials.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com .

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY OFFICERS

The military services have their own police forces to protect lives and property on military bases and to patrol our coastal waters. Law enforcement and security officers command military police units that enforce laws and investigate crimes. They also plan and direct programs to protect property, communications, and classified information.

What They Do

Law enforcement and security officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Direct the enforcement of military law

• Develop policies and programs to prevent crime and reduce traffic accidents

• Supervise the arrest, custody, transfer, and release of offenders

• Plan and direct criminal investigations and investigations of suspected treason, sabotage, or espionage

• Plan for the security of military bases and office buildings and direct security procedures

• Manage military correctional facilities

• Help in ballistics, forgery, fingerprinting, and polygraph (lie detector) examinations

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation. Some specialties require further education or prior experience in law enforcement and security.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful fields of study include business administration, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, and public administration. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in law enforcement and crime prevention

• Interest in planning and directing the work of others

Work Environment

Law enforcement and security officers in the military usually work in offices while planning and directing law enforcement and security activities. They may work outdoors while directing investigations, observing prisoners, and inspecting security systems.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 7 to 28 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Law enforcement administration

• Management of security problems

• Investigation procedures and reporting

• Military law

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian law enforcement directors work for federal, state, and local prisons, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and private security companies. Some also operate their own security firms or become private detectives. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may also be called police chiefs, chief inspectors, prison wardens, security managers, or chief deputy sheriffs.

Opportunities

The services have about 2,400 law enforcement and security officers each year. On average, they need 125 new law enforcement and security officers each year. After job training, officers are assigned to command police, security, or investigative units. Depending on ability and experience, security officers may be assigned to direct one or more large law enforcement units.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Individuals may gain experience in this field through secondary and postsecondary education program opportunities as well as service in a branch of the military. Two programs related to this occupation are food science and public health. Secondary vocational education programs in law enforcement may offer a co-op portion which includes practical experience.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Compliance & Enforcement Inspector employer

internships

volunteer work with a Compliance & Enforcement Inspector employer

community service work with an agency

Inspectors desiring to work for the government must pass civil service examinations. Assistance in finding a job may be obtained from civil service offices, newspaper want ads, college placement offices, and a local office of Michigan Works!. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors vary according to the employer, type of position, and qualifications of the applicant.

Nationally, the median annual salary for Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors was approximately $38,532 in 1998. Inspectors working for the federal government usually begin at the GS-5 or 7 level, which had starting annual salaries of $20,588 and $25,501, respectively in 1999. The level at which Inspectors start depends on their education and experience. Some may advance to the GS-12 level, which offered an annual starting salary (1999) of $45,236. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban area.

Inspectors and Supervisory Inspectors employed by the State of Michigan earned per year (mid 1999):

Inspectors employed by county and city governmental agencies in Michigan had similar earnings.

Many Inspectors travel frequently and are either furnished with a car or reimbursed for travel expenses. After several years of state service, inspectors may receive an annual longevity payment in addition to their regular salary.

Most Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. Some Inspectors and their families also receive dental benefits. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Individuals usually begin in entry-level inspection positions and may expect to participate in on-the-job or formal classroom training programs designed to prepare them for the journeyperson or full-performance level. Advancement depends on the individual's demonstrated ability to perform increasingly more responsible work. In some cases, promotions are based on competitive examinations. Some Inspectors advance to administrative or managerial positions.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 163,100 Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors were employed in 1996. Employment of Inspectors is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. About 2.3% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors looked like this:

While there has been increased public concern over potential environmental health hazards and the quality and safety of consumer products and services, large employment increases are not expected. Employment will be affected by the level of government funding provided for these programs. Efforts to reduce federal budgets are expected to limit employment growth in this occupation.

There are approximately 3,800 Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors employed in Michigan.

The employment of Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 110 annual openings is expected, with 30 due to growth and 80 due to replacement of Inspectors who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as some workers change jobs or occupations.

The number of Compliance and Enforcement Inspectors hired by state and local government in Michigan will be limited because of reduced operating budgets for most state and local governmental agencies. However, increases in employment may occur as some of the inspection and regulatory functions previously performed by federal agencies are taken over by state and local governments.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development