03/04/1996 02292

LCB LICENSING TECHNICIAN 1

DEFINITION: This is responsible clerical and para-technical work in reviewing and processing license renewal applications and related documentation in support of the selective liquor licensing program administered by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

An employee in this class performs a variety of assignments in the complex processing, or routine evaluation, of license and permit applications as mandated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Code, subsequent amendments, and by the adoption of Board regulations, precedents, and policies controlling the manufacture, purchase, transportation, storage, delivery, sale and consumption of liquor, alcohol, and malt or brewed beverages. Work involves applying the provisions of the Liquor Code and pertinent regulations in obtaining and processing required documentation, initiating and reviewing investigatory field reports, and/or ensuring all statutory provisions have been satisfied for approval of a license renewal. Work involves considerable contact with agency field personnel and licensees to gather additional information or respond to inquiries relative to the status of an application. Employees work with considerable independence within well established policies and regulations. Difficult technical problems and irregularities are referred to a superior who reviews work in progress and periodically reviews license files for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable provisions of the Liquor Code.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews application packets to determine the type of license or permit and the applicable category; determines the initial disposition of the packet based on the information contained therein; and examines and determines the acceptability of legal documents, such as agreements of sale, partnership agreements, leases, court orders, franchise agreements, IRS seizures, bankruptcy orders, and opinions, liens, and writs.

Assembles applications for licenses and permits, and non-application documents for entry into the Licensing Image Processing System; initiates correction letters for return of forms for execution, completion or correction; indexes application documents; reviews documents submitted independently from an initial application packet to determine proper indexing values for entry into the Licensing Image Processing System; and verifies duplicate information and aborts unacceptable documents.

Examines license files for complaints, convictions, citations, suspensions, appeals, hearings, and any other irregularities or pending actions which affect the eligibility of the applicant and/or premises.

Researches current status of all applications for licenses and permits, transfer applications, corrections, extension of licenses, special occasion permits, and change of corporate officers, and annotates the application and documents accordingly.

Requests field personnel conduct licensing investigations to gather and report pertinent aspects of the application, the applicant's operating, business, and financial arrangements, and the physical conditions of the premises proposed for licensing; reviews field investigative reports to determine compliance with statutory requirements.

Reviews and processes applications, bonds, tax statements, supporting documents and fees for license renewals and/or permit approvals; determines the correct execution of the document, and the eligibility of the applicant or premises for processing or licensure through the Licensing Image Processing System.

Issues approvals and authority to operate and arranges for delivery via mail, facsimile equipment, personal messenger, or overnight mail delivery services.

Prepares resumes of complex cases for referral to a superior for review and approval at the administrative level, or referral to the governing board or a hearing examiner for review.

Inputs data on the License Master Record System; and maintains, updates, and controls issuance of renewal licenses, verifying tax clearance information, and inserting proper pending code and bonding companies.

Reviews case files to extract information required to prepare notification letters to applicants, attorneys, protestants, and other interested parties concerning scheduling of hearings.

Reviews pertinent information supplied by a licensee, applicant or protestant to ensure relevance to the Liquor Code or other regulations, and prepares this information for presentation to the Board for appropriate action; reviews Board decisions and takes appropriate case action; and reviews field investigative reports following the Board decision to determine if the proposed licensed premise still meets requirements, referring for corrective action as appropriate.

Prepares requests for Board hearings, forwarding to Chief Counsel's Office; transfers appropriate hearing information to the file copy; reviews the case file to determine attorneys, protestants, and others to be notified of hearing dates; and prepares Board summary sheet, noting any amendments, in proper format for hearing examiner, Board attorney, and investigating officer, extracting investigative information as necessary.

Retrieves notes of testimony, exhibits, and applicant's file upon notification of a court appeal date; reviews file and notifies proper parties of appeal; reexamines all applications, fees, related files and documents after notification of appeal disposition to determine if statutory requirements are still met; if necessary, initiates requests for reinvestigations or correspondence requesting additional documents and/or fees; and prepares claims for refunds if required.

Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Ability to learn and apply the prescribed procedures and requirements of Civil Law, the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and Title 40, Pennsylvania Code.

Ability to learn and apply the Board regulations, precedents, and policies governing the selective liquor licensing program.

Ability to learn and incorporate a variety of legal, compliance, and regulatory procedures and practices in the daily processing and/or review of license and permit renewal applications.

Ability to learn and utilize the various automated licensing systems to effectively manage an assigned caseload and render accurate and timely decisions.

Ability to learn and apply accepted caseload management techniques in order to maintain a current status on assigned tasks and renewals.

Ability to receive, sort, and identify mail for processing through the Licensing Image Processing System.

Ability to review applications, correspondence, and reports and determine acceptability for processing through the Licensing Image Processing System.

Ability to compose or prepare a variety of correspondence, including responses to applicants, licensees, attorneys, and the general public.

Ability to review LCB Licensing Analyst field reports, extract pertinent information, and apply that information against the provisions of the Liquor Code in rendering an informed decision.

Ability to comprehend and interpret a large variety of liquor licensing and industry-related legal documents.

Ability to prepare case summaries including all pertinent information, and prepare a valid recommendation for action based on a review of the relevant case facts.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency personnel, superiors, licensees, attorneys, industry representatives, and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Three years of clerical experience supporting a legal, licensing, or other regulatory program requiring the application of statutes, program policies, or industry regulations, and graduation from high school;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.