Compliance and enforcement sector careers
Last updated on February 6, 2024On this page
- What is compliance and enforcement?
- A rewarding and meaningful career
- About you
- Job types
- Areas of focus
- Where you'll work
- What we offer
- What you'll need
- How to apply
What is compliance and enforcement?
Jobs in compliance and enforcement ensure that people, businesses and government organizations comply with the rules that protect British Columbia’s people, environment and economy.
The aim of compliance work is to verify, support, and educate people and businesses to follow the rules and requirements placed on them. Enforcement actions place consequences on those who break those rules.
A rewarding and meaningful career
Are you looking to start, advance or continue a career in law enforcement? Are you looking for a dynamic, rewarding career that affects meaningful change? Do you want to make a difference in your community?
You can find compliance and enforcement career opportunities in almost every ministry and in regions across the province.
Some positions are based in regular office settings while others will take you across the province conducting in-person inspections or investigations into potential wrongdoing.
About you
Are you:
- A motivated, passionate, and tactful individual who cares about keeping people in your community and the environment safe?
- Interested in upholding the rule of law?
- An advocate of fairness in the application of rules?
- A person of integrity, honesty, compassion, respect and accountability in your personal and professional life?
- Self motivated and comfortable working independently?
- Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and have demonstrated ability to interact with the public in a diplomatic, tactful, and discreet manner?
- Comfortable working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and have deep respect for the culture, traditions and values of Indigenous peoples and communities?
If you answered yes, there's a career waiting for you.
Job types
There are countless positions within the compliance and enforcement sector. Career options are as varied as the citizens we serve.
No two positions are the same, and many positions include a combination of duties, roles, and work environments. Jobs are often titled as either inspector, auditor, investigator, or an officer that combines some of these roles. While each role is unique, here are some guidelines to help you to understand the differences between various titles.
Inspector
Inspectors attend businesses and worksites in person to make direct observations, complete inspection reports, stop non-compliant work, and make recommendations for further action, if needed. The goal of inspections is to verify that regulated entities are complying with applicable rules and encourage them to take corrective actions where needed without the need for further intervention. Examples:
- Liquor and cannabis inspector
- Gaming inspector
- Carrier safety inspector
- Commercial transport safety inspector
- Inspector of mines
- Meat hygiene and agri-food inspector
- Environmental protection officer
Auditor
Auditors analyse reports and conduct reviews to ensure that funds, resources, and programs are being used correctly and that corporate operations are in line with legal requirements. Financial auditors will often have a professional accounting designation, but there are opportunities for performance-based and program-based audits as well. Examples:
- Financial auditor – Office of the Auditor General
- Tax fraud auditor
- Liquor and cannabis auditor
- Compliance gambling auditor
Investigator
Investigators seek further information, collect evidence, and explore allegations of wrongdoing, criminal activity and/or misuse of programs/services. Investigators create reports, and may seek prosecutions that could lead to criminal charges or other regulatory consequences. Investigations can involve a combination of in-office and fieldwork. Examples:
- Assisted living investigator
- Ministry investigator – Prevention and Loss Management Services
- Gaming investigator
- Immigration program investigator
- Liquor and cannabis investigator
Officer
There are many roles that do not fall into the investigator, inspector, or auditor categories and may involve a combination of duties. These positions are often referred to as “officers”. These roles typically perform both regulatory compliance verification and enforcement functions, such as the issuing of violation tickets, seizing illicit goods or materials, and/or conducting investigations. “Officer” may also refer to roles in B.C. corrections and community corrections. Examples:
- Conservation officer
- Natural resource officer
- Environmental protection officer
- Intersection safety camera officer
- Probation officer
- Correctional officer
- Employment standards and industrial relations officer / investigator
Areas of focus
Justice system services
Identifying and minimizing risks to the public and key institutions, as well as administering programs that engage directly with the public, including citizens in correctional facilities.
Ministry of Attorney General
- B.C. Sheriffs Service – deputy sheriff
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
- Corrections Branch – correctional officer
- Civil Forfeiture Office
Natural resource sector
Focused on natural resource compliance verification and law enforcement and committed to the protection, and conservation of B.C.’s water, land, air and living resources.
Ministry of Forests
- Compliance and Enforcement Branch – natural resource officer investigations
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
- Conservation Officer Service – conservation officer
- Compliance and Environmental Enforcement Branch – environmental protection officer
- Environmental Assessment Office – environmental assessment officer
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
- Mines Health, Safety, and Enforcement – inspector of mines
Public safety
Protecting British Columbians by ensuring that individuals, businesses, landlords, and industries are complying with the rules, regulations, and laws designed to keep us safe.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
- Community Safety Unit – investigator
- Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch – inspector
- Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch – inspector
- B.C. Coroners Service – coroner
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
- Food Safety & Inspection Branch – agri-food compliance and enforcement officer
Ministry of Housing
- Residential Tenancy Branch – investigator
​Finance and economy
Ensuring that businesses, employers, and individuals comply with the laws and regulations in place to protect British Columbia’s financial, labour, and immigration eco-systems from fraud.
Ministry of Finance
- Consumer Taxation Audit Branch – auditor
- Revenue Division – tax fraud investigator
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
- Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch – compliance gambling auditor
Ministry of Labour
- Employment Standards Branch – employment standards and industrial relations officer / investigator
Ministry of Municipal Affairs
- Immigration Programs Branch – investigator
Health and social services
Ensure the proper use of health and social programs, such as Medical Services Plan (MSP), Employment Assistance, and PharmaCare. Also ensuring that private and subsidized care facilities are in compliance with requirements.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
- Prevention and Loss Management Service – ministry investigator
Ministry of Health
- Community Care Licensing & Assisted Living Registry – assisted living investigator
- Audit and Investigations Branch – special investigator, medical inspector, auditor
Education
Conducting audits and inspections to ensure that private and public education facilities are compliant with requirements placed on them and to investigate allegations of misconduct.
Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
- Private Training Institutions Branch – compliance and enforcement officer
Ministry of Education
- Teacher Regulation Branch - investigator
Transportation
Ensuring that roadways and road users are safe.
Ministry of Transportation
- Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Branch
- Carrier safety inspector
- Commercial transport enforcement officer
- Commercial transport inspector
- Passenger transportation enforcement officer
- Area vehicle inspector
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
- RoadSafetyBC – intersection safety camera officer
Click here for a full list of compliance and enforcement organizations.
Where you'll work
Employees of the BC Public Service can live and work in some of the most beautiful provincial landscapes.
Depending on your location, you may qualify for an incentive payment program for those who work in rural and remote communities. We also offer allowances and vacation adjustments.
To learn more about these communities, check out the northern community profiles.
What we offer
- Opportunities for work/life balance so you can take advantage of the community and surrounding area where you live
- Potential for traditional and non-traditional working hours, flexible work arrangements, and a combination of in-office and field work
- Minimum three weeks vacation to start, a comprehensive benefits program, and a defined benefit pension
- Paid training programs and ample opportunities for career advancement
What you'll need
Minimum requirements for education and experience vary in the compliance and enforcement sector. Some positions require high school graduation or a general educational equivalent (Adult Dogwood in B.C.); whereas others may require some form of post-secondary certificates, diplomas, or undergraduate degrees. Financial auditors and investigators typically require a professional accounting designation. Many investigator roles require training from the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s Investigations and Enforcement Skills Certificate program, or equivalent law enforcement training.
If you have the general requirements, there are entry level and developmental opportunities.
Canadian citizen or permanent resident
To be considered for any position in the B.C. Government, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Security screening
Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check and/or enhanced security screening checks as required.
International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES)
If your education was obtained outside of Canada, it may be assessed for equivalency through International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES).
Driver's license
For many C&E positions, you must have a valid class 5 B.C. driver's license with no restriction or equivalent and be willing to travel.
How to apply
Review the your job application page to learn more about applying for a position in the BC Public Service.
Review the hiring process for applicants page for a summary of what to expect in a competition.
How to get started
Register for career conversations
These bi-weekly, one-hour information sessions are a great starting point for those interested in a career in the public service.
Learn about our hiring process
The BC Public Service hires based on merit. Learn more about our hiring process and how you can prepare.
Check current job listings
We’re hiring! Check the current opportunities to join the BC Public Service.