Compliance Officer

Compliance officers and inspectors recommend laws designed to protect the public and ensure these laws are enforced.

Compliance officer specialize in environmental, worker rights, and licensing laws. Even though compliance officers have different specialties, they share common duties.

Compliance officers investigate complaints. They collect information about the complaint from individuals filing it, talk with the parties listed in the complaint, and if the complaint involves the environment, visit the site. Compliance officers conduct surveys, collect facts, and review records. They review safety laws and inspect organizations under their jurisdiction.

Compliance officers maintain records. Some records contain the survey results while others detail inspection results. Compliance officers keep their report investigations and present these reports to people and businesses under investigation. If rules have been violated, compliance officers suggest changes and sometimes issue citations. They instruct company representatives, so these companies are clear about the compliance officer’s instructions. Inspectors will follow up with companies and individuals during follow up visits. Sometimes compliance officers are called to testify in court or public hearings.

Compliance officers usually specialize. For example, environmental compliance officers supervise hazardous waste disposal. Licensing examiners review professional licenses applications to make sure applicants meet all the necessary requirements. Equal opportunity officers investigate workplace discrimination complaints and supervise employers suspected of discriminating while seeking new employees.

Government property inspectors review contracts, investigate fraud, and examine property. Financial examiners monitor real estate and securities transactions. Suspicious sales are investigated.

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