INVESTIGATOR 3 LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY DEFINITION:
Under general supervision of a Supervising Investigator or other supervisory official in the Department of Law and Public Safety, conducts in depth regulatory and administrative audits and inspections of licensed premises; reviews records, files, financial statements, and other transactions to determine compliance with rules or regulations governing consumer protection laws; conducts complex investigations, performs other confidential and sensitive civil and regulatory investigative activities or specialized investigations to detect alleged noncompliance with or violations of New Jersey state statutes, administrative codes, Professional Rules of Conduct, or consumer protection laws; performs other related duties required.
NOTE: The definition for this title and the examples of work and knowledge, skills, and abilities are for illustrative purposes only. Any one position may not include all of the tasks and KSAs listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties and KSAs which may be required.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
Conducts complex investigations of alleged violations of or noncompliance with State statutes, administrative codes, rules, regulations, or professional rules of conduct.
Investigates information on applications and other documents.
Investigates allegations of negligence, incompetence, misrepresentation, or misconduct by licensed individuals, organizations, vendors, service providers, or other agencies.
Investigates credit history of individuals or organizations.
Investigates claims for evidence of fraud or misconduct.
Investigates allegations of unethical conduct of licensed individuals in organizations under provisions of the Professional Rules of Conduct.
Investigates complaints received from the general public.
Investigates incidents of improper or incomplete reporting techniques.
Investigates allegations of illegal activities or noncompliance with state statutes or administrative codes.
Inspects vendor premises, equipment, files, records, and other transactions.
Informs consumers of illegal practices, such as false advertising, unsafe practices, or unlicensed practitioners.
Verifies manufacturer's claim of product effectiveness and safety.
Collects evidence obtained from an investigation.
Catalogs evidence for presentation to supervisors and legal counsel.
Secures evidence for presentation in court or administrative hearings.
Develops leads or information networks for investigative purposes.
Examines financial records and statements.
Provides evidence as a witness or testifies in court or in administrative hearings.
Selects individuals, organizations, or companies for routine investigation and inspection.
Notifies violators of noncompliance with laws, rules, or regulations and informs them of changes necessary for compliance.
Enforces compliance with appropriate standards, codes, laws, rules, or regulations.
Enforces court orders and monitors compliance or order.
Examines records, documents, or other official recorded material required to be maintained by licensed individuals, organizations, vendors, service providers, and agencies.
Reviews applications for licenses, permits, certificates, or renewals.
Locates individuals for or under investigation.
Conducts background checks, such as credit history, financial assets, or criminal history.
Recommends procedures for initiating corrective action or abatement
Conducts administrative searches.
Advises legal counsel of status of investigation in progress.
Monitors fair marketing of consumer products and services.
Advises individuals of procedures, rules, regulations, and their governing policies.
Reviews advertising material for misrepresentation.
Recommends orders of suspension, revocation, confinement, or "stop orders."
Implements restoration, suspension, revocation, or renewal of licenses.
Checks for appropriate license, bond, certificate, or permit.
Provides supervisors with justification for requested subpoenas, citations, or summonses.
Drafts affidavits for submission to supervisors.
Obtains affidavits or sworn testimonies from complainants, witnesses, or principals involved in an investigation or dispute.
Delivers legal notices, subpoenas, and other documents.
Records (takes) testimony from all disputing parties.
Informs interested parties of case status.
Compiles materials for hearings, reviews, or other legal matters.
Obtains warrants for required inspection or administrative searches of premises.
Arranges for transportation or accommodation of subpoenaed witnesses.
Assists supervisors in the training of lower level investigators in investigative duties and techniques.
Interviews individuals to obtain confidential and comprehensive information.
Writes investigative reports.
Maintains a case management system for investigations.
Recommends to supervisors when to file charges against alleged perpetrators based on evidence.
Analyzes evidence obtained for appropriateness and relevance.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Seven (7) years of professional experience in the conduct of civil or criminal investigations related to compliance, enforcement, detection, and surveillance activity, including the preparation of investigative reports.
OR
Seven (7) years of professional experience in the conduct of investigative administrative audits and/or regulatory examinations of records maintained by businesses and organizations.
OR
Seven (7) years of professional experience in the conduct of investigations for the government, the military, consumer protection programs, public advocacy organizations, or the public interest.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR
Possession of a juris doctorate or a master's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, or a related field; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: Completion of a supervised internship field placement of 300 hours in an undergraduate curriculum in Criminal Justice or a related degree program may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is required to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of civil and regulatory investigative terminology.
Knowledge of the civil rights of individuals under investigation.
Knowledge of methods and procedures for conducting investigations.
Knowledge of surveillance methods and procedures.
Knowledge of types of surveillance devices and photographic and video equipment.
Knowledge of law enforcement procedures governing document alteration, forgery, theft, embezzlement, and fraud.
Knowledge of the type of documents required for litigation and their preparation.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of covert investigation.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of regulatory analysis.
Knowledge of the techniques of investigative reporting.
Knowledge of procedures for conducting background checks.
Knowledge of procedures for preparing final case disposition of field investigations.
Knowledge of programs, investigative techniques, principles and practices utilized to assist superiors in training programs of lesser grade investigators.
Knowledge of the techniques used in the preparation of detailed investigative reports.
Knowledge of electronic communications equipment and data base software utilized during the course of an investigation.
Knowledge of procedures governing rules of evidence.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, and regulations.
Ability to evaluate the reliability and credibility of witnesses' oral or written statements.
Ability to assist supervisors in training programs of lesser grade investigators in investigative duties and techniques.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
