Motor Vehicle Inspector

State of Connecticut - Department of Motor Vehicles; Wethersfield (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hazardous Duty Benefits Plan

Take-home cruiser

Overtime opportunities

Ongoing professional training

Unit rotation for career growth

Job summary

The State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) seeks Connecticut POST-C Certified Police Officers to serve as Motor Vehicle Inspectors within the CVSD. Positions offer Hazardous Duty benefits, take-home cruisers, and overtime opportunities, with shifts mainly 5:00 AM–1:00 PM or 6:00 AM–2:00 PM in Wethersfield, CT.

New hires complete NASTI certification and may pursue advanced credentials (Tanker, HAZMAT, Motorcoach).

Qualifications

• Certification as a Connecticut law enforcement officer (POST-C).
• Minimum qualifications include valid POST-C status or pending recertification eligibility.
• Substitution allowed with Protective Services Trainee training and probationary requirements.
• Preferred: traffic safety, highway patrol, and commercial enforcement experience.

Responsibilities

• Inspect motor vehicles for compliance with laws, safety standards and documentation.
• Investigate and resolve complaints against regulated businesses and individuals.
• Explain motor vehicle laws and required corrections to the public.
• Assist in specialized unit work and participate in training programs.

Skills

POST-C Certified Officer

Traffic enforcement

Vehicle inspections

Public safety communications

Education

POST-C Certification

Tools

Driver's License

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is seeking Connecticut POST-C Certified Police Officers – including recently retired officers – to serve as Motor Vehicle Inspectors within the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division (CVSD).

What We Can Offer You

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees. PLEASE NOTE: These positions are considered Hazardous Duty and participate in the Hazardous Duty Benefits Plan.

Who Should Apply?

• Current Connecticut POST-C Certified Police Officers
• Recently retired Connecticut Police Officers looking to continue serving in a meaningful statewide enforcement role

About Us - The Commercial Vehicle Safety Division (CVSD)

Balanced Work-Life: DMV Inspectors enjoy:

• Voluntary overtime
• Weekends and state holidays off
• Portal-to-Portal scheduling with take-home cruisers

Flexible Scheduling: Patrol units primarily work 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM or 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM. A second shift (1:00 PM – 10:00 PM) exists but is not currently deployed.

Specialized Training: All inspectors complete the North American Standard Inspection (NASTI) certification, with opportunities for additional certifications (Tanker, HAZMAT, Motorcoach).

Discover the Opportunity To

Expand Your Skills: Ongoing training prevents burnout and keeps work diverse (School Bus, HAZMAT, Motorcoach, Tanker inspections, and more).

Rotate Through Specialized Units: Each assignment offers different challenges and investigative focus, avoiding the repetition common in patrol-only roles.

Our Specialized Units:

• Patrol Units – Provide statewide traffic enforcement, conduct post-crash commercial vehicle investigations, and operate at fixed and virtual weigh/inspection stations. They also manage Commercial Truck Complaints and assist state/local police.
• Dealer & Towing Investigations – Inspect and investigate motor vehicle dealers, repair facilities, and towing companies, handle licensing issues, consumer complaints, and fraud cases.
• Safety Audit Unit – Conduct audits, provide education and outreach to motor carriers, and enforce federal and state commercial vehicle regulations.
• Auto Theft & Title Fraud Investigations – Investigate cloned VINs, title fraud, and recover stolen vehicles, targeting individuals attempting to register stolen out-of-state vehicles.
• School Bus & Student Transportation Unit – Inspect all school buses and student transportation vehicles across Connecticut to ensure safety standards are met.

Training & Career Growth

Newly hired Inspectors complete the two-week NASTI program and may pursue advanced certifications in HAZMAT, Motorcoach, Tanker, and School Bus inspections. Career advancement includes the ability to bid into different units, ensuring variety and professional development throughout your career and promotional advancement.

Job Perks & Opportunities

• Take-home cruiser & portal-to-portal scheduling
• Eight-hour workdays with weekends & state holidays off
• Voluntary overtime opportunities available
• Ongoing professional training & career specialization
• Rotation and unit bidding to prevent burnout and keep work dynamic

Position Highlights

• Monday - Friday
• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• First shift (5:00 AM - 1:00 PM or 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
• Location: Wethersfield, CT
• Office/On-site work environment

DMV Mission

The Connecticut DMV’s mission is to promote and advance public safety, security, and service through the regulation of drivers, their motor vehicles, and vehicle-related businesses.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Motor Vehicles this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of inspection and investigation activity pertaining to motor vehicles, dealer and repairer facilities and licensing, vehicle safety, consumer complaints, alleged offenses and verification of pertinent documentation.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Inspects motor vehicles for conformance to established statutory, regulatory and policy standards, safety requirements, verification of ownership, authentication of vehicle identification number and related equipment and documentation;
• Completes necessary forms and reports;
• Maintains files;
• Takes possession of marker plates and registration of violators where necessary;
• Authenticates vehicles with missing, altered or replaced vehicle identification numbers;
• Investigates misuse of marker plates and takes appropriate corrective action;
• Inspects sites of proposed, existing or unlicensed facilities and/or locations for compliance with all applicable requirements;
• Investigates and resolves complaints against regulated businesses;
• Exchanges information with local and state police and/or other state or federal agencies;
• Explains motor vehicle laws, regulations, policies and procedures to the public and informs individuals or business concerns of any violations or deficiencies found through inspection and/or examination process and what corrective actions must be taken;
• Conducts special inspections and/or investigations of criminal and other activities as assigned;
• Assigns and affixes numbers to authenticated vehicles as necessary;
• May impound stolen vehicles;
• May make arrests, issue summons, serve warrants or appear in court as arresting officer or witness for violation of statutes relating to motor vehicles;
• May conduct safety training courses;
• May be required to maintain building security and perform patrol duties at time of heightened alert level under Homeland Security procedures;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of parts, equipment and operation of motor vehicles;
• proper repair methods;
• Knowledge of and ability to apply motor vehicle laws, regulations and safety standards;
• inspection methods and techniques;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Considerable ability to conduct investigations and prepare written reports;
• operate a motor vehicle;
• perform mechanical functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.

NOTE: Candidates with a pending recertification status may be employed on a temporary basis pending recertification by the Connecticut Police Training Academy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

Successful completion of prescribed training and probationary requirements set forth in the class of Protective Services Trainee.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in traffic safety, highway patrol, or commercial enforcement assignments
• Experience learning and applying motor vehicle laws
• Experience communicating with customers across various population groups
• Experience enforcing state motor vehicle statutes
• Experience performing law enforcement duties roadside
• Experience managing and resolving conflicts involving customers
• Experience in performing as a Police officer within Police Officer Standard Training Council (POSTC) Standards
• Experience in vehicle mechanics

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must receive and retain authority from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to arrest and present before the designated authority any person for violation of any statute or regulation relating to motor vehicles. (Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-8).

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license. At time of appointment incumbents must have a motor vehicle driving record satisfactory to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

Incumbents in this class must have reached their 21st birthday.

Incumbents in this class must be eligible and qualified to bear arms.

Incumbents in this class must successfully complete training for and receive inspection authority as defined in Section 14-163c-9 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies within six (6) months of their initial appointment to this class. The requirement to complete such training within six months of initial appointment may be extended by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in the event that the training is not readily available and cannot be scheduled and completed within six months. Should this occur, training shall be scheduled and taken at the first available opportunity after date of initial appointment to the class. Any extension shall only be granted for the time necessary to complete the first available training after the date of initial appointment. Incumbents must retain this inspection authority for the duration of their service within this class.

Candidates for this class are subject to selection standards pursuant to Section 7-294a-e of the Connecticut General Statutes and the Regulations of the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must possess good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair job performance and possess and retain sufficient strength, stamina, agility, visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all the duties of the class.

Applicants may be required to pass a physical examination.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to a moderate amount of physical exertion in inspecting vehicles, to some degree of injury from carbon monoxide fumes, conducting road tests and performing traffic stops and inspections of heavy vehicles and moderately disagreeable conditions encountered working outdoors.

CONCLUSION

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.