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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

COMMISSION MERCHANT INVESTIGATOR 2

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COMMISSION MERCHANT INVESTIGATOR 2
Class Code: 568O
Category: Agricultural Operations
Salary Range: 40
Abolished Effective: 02-11-2011


Definition

Conducts major investigations of claims of law violations, improper payments, fraud or collusion, or unfair business practices involving major processors and producers licensed under the Commission Merchants Act. Acts for Commission Merchant Supervisor during absences.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Positions in this class are distinguished from the Commission Merchant Investigator 1 by the anticipated dollar volume of the claim ($10,000 or more) and by the complicated nature of claims, usually major producers and processors involved in inter‑state operations and often subject to the Federal Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act.

Typical Work

Receives complaints and claims from customers and creditors of commission merchants, dealers, cash buyers or brokers; makes investigation to establish validity of complaints including audits of records and financial accounts; issues subpoenas, administers oaths, take statements and depositions, prepares felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor criminal cases; testifies at hearings or in court as an expert witness; 

Stops shipments of agriculture commodities, for non‑compliance with transport laws, issues warning and arrest citations; 

Mediates settlement of claims without formal proceedings; 

Works with U.S. Department of Agriculture on cases involving violations of Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act; 

Makes special investigations for other divisions and sections in the Department of Agriculture as needed; acts as Department hearing officer; 

On own initiative inspects places of business to assure proper licensing and postings of rate structure; 

Maintains records and writes investigative reports; 

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:  agricultural laws, regulations, court decisions, rules of evidence, laws of arrest, search and seizure, accounting and bookkeeping procedures and hearings procedures. 

Ability to: make intensive investigations of commission merchants, dealers, cash buyers, brokers, ranchers and other persons and agencies in agricultural industry without arousing undue or undesirable comment; make investigative audits of accounts, enforce agricultural laws, using maturity of judgment and knowledge; speak and write accurately and informatively; travel frequently and for extended periods.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Desirable Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree including 12 semester (or 18 quarter) hours of college level accounting and two years of regulatory experience. 

OR

Two years' experience as a Commission Merchant Investigator.

OR 

Four years' experience in regulatory work involving agriculture commodities and a minimum of 12 semester (or 18 quarter) hours of college level accounting from a university, college, business college, extension or correspondence school.

Class Specification History

New Class Effective October 12, 1979
Revised minimum qualifications January 11, 1980
New class code: (formerly 44450) effective July 1, 2007