Smoking Enforcement Investigator

Location: Washington, DC
Work Arrangement: Field-Based / On-Site
Interview: In-Person
Experience: 1–3 Years
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Required
Positions Available: 2

Job Summary

We are seeking a Smoking Enforcement Investigator to support smoke-free workplace and tobacco-control enforcement activities throughout Washington, DC.

The selected candidate will conduct routine, complaint-driven, unannounced, and undercover inspections of workplaces, public places, and business establishments to determine compliance with applicable smoke-free and tobacco-control regulations.

This position requires strong investigative, documentation, communication, and field inspection skills. The investigator will respond to public complaints, document violations, issue notices when appropriate, educate businesses on compliance requirements, and conduct follow-up inspections.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct routine and complaint-driven inspections of workplaces, public places, and business establishments.

• Respond promptly to complaints received through online forms, phone calls, emails, and other channels.

• Investigate suspected violations of smoke-free and tobacco-control regulations.

• Inspect establishments for active smoking, smoking residue, tobacco products, and other evidence of smoking.

• Verify that required No Smoking and other regulatory signage is properly posted, visible, and unobstructed.

• Conduct unannounced or undercover surveillance when necessary to document suspected violations.

• Issue notices of infractions or violations when violations are identified.

• Collect and maintain evidence, including photographs, evidence logs, witness statements, and standardized inspection forms.

• Prepare accurate, complete, and timely investigative and inspection reports.

• Conduct follow-up inspections to verify that corrective actions have been completed.

• Provide compliance assistance and explain corrective measures to business owners, employees, and establishments.

• Provide outreach and education regarding smoke-free laws, tobacco-control requirements, signage requirements, exemptions, and corrective procedures.

• Maintain accurate case files, records, inspection results, and investigative documentation.

• Communicate investigation findings to appropriate internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure all assigned investigations and reports are completed within established timelines.

• Perform other related investigative and compliance duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Regulatory Enforcement, or a related field preferred.

• 1–3 years of experience performing investigative, inspection, regulatory, compliance, or enforcement duties.

• Experience preparing investigative or inspection reports.

• Ability to conduct field inspections and complaint investigations.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills.

• Ability to collect, organize, and accurately document evidence.

• Ability to work independently in a field environment.

• Ability to interact professionally with businesses, members of the public, witnesses, and government personnel.

Preferred Experience

• Public health or environmental health inspections.

• Regulatory or compliance investigations.

• Code enforcement.

• Tobacco or smoke-free law enforcement.

• Government or municipal inspection experience.

• Complaint-driven investigations.

• Issuing notices of violation or infractions.

• Evidence collection and photographic documentation.

• Conducting follow-up compliance inspections.

• Public outreach and regulatory education.

Primary Skills

• Regulatory Investigation

• Field Inspections

• Compliance Enforcement

• Complaint Investigation

• Investigative Report Writing

• Evidence Collection & Documentation

• Violation/Infraction Documentation

• Public Health / Environmental Health

• Regulatory Compliance

• Tobacco Control / Smoke-Free Laws

• Follow-Up Inspections

• Case Management

• Witness Interviews

• Photographic Evidence

• Public Outreach & Education

• Strong Written & Verbal Communication

• Attention to Detail

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a field-oriented investigator or inspector with a bachelor’s degree and experience conducting regulatory or compliance investigations. The candidate should be comfortable responding to complaints, visiting businesses and public locations, gathering evidence, documenting violations, preparing reports, communicating corrective actions, and conducting follow-up inspections.

Candidates with backgrounds in regulatory investigation, health inspection, environmental health, public health, code enforcement, or government compliance are encouraged to apply.

Interview Process

Interview Type: In-Person Interview