PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR PAROLE AND SECURED FACILITIES DEFINITION:
Under the general direction of the Chief Investigator or an administrative officer responsible for internal affairs investigations in a state department, institution or agency, or in a local government agency for adult correctional or juvenile treatment facilities or county correctional facilities; or other investigations involving parolees and the facilities/contractors providing services to parolees. Supervises investigations of alleged criminal activities and disciplinary charges at the institutions and satellite units of the institutions and at facilities/vendors providing services to the employing agency or serves as a qualified expert in the field of fingerprinting, photography, narcotics and polygraph. Supervises staff and work activities, prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
Exercises all powers and rights of enforcement to function as a law enforcement officer for the detection, apprehension, arrest, custody and prosecution of offenders against the law.
Supervises the work programs and staff of an investigative unit; trains and supervises subordinate Investigators.
Reviews and evaluates allegations of criminal acts and administrative violations committed by staff, inmates and visitors to secured facilities and supervises the conduct of investigations.
Reviews and evaluates complaints filed by staff, inmates and visitors to secured facilities, and supervises the conduct of investigations.
When assigned to parole, conducts and/or supervises the conduct of investigations involving parolees, the public, vendors or staff misconduct.
When assigned to parole, conducts pre-release and other special investigations.
Supervises the preservation and processing of evidence, and the processing of suspects.
Disseminates intelligence and information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies concerning alleged criminal activities by adult inmates or juveniles, civilians and employees.
Responsible for maintaining contact with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Interviews and investigates persons who are charged with indictable and administrative offenses.
Apprehends and processes suspects; places parole violators and other offenders under arrest.
May testify as a witness before formal hearings, Grand Juries, Courts of Law, administrative hearings or other judicial bodies.
Supervises the compilation of reports and materials to substantiate an arrest and the compilation of materials for hearings.
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
Interacts with other law enforcement agencies in the search, apprehension and arrest of offenders and escapees.
Supervises the gathering of intelligence and the evaluation of information pertaining to adult inmate or juvenile groups, criminal activities, employees and civilians.
Supervises the compilation of information and the preparation of investigative and statistical reports during official duties.
Carries a firearm while performing duties, is responsible for the care, use and security of firearms and equipment.
Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate and informative investigative, statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Attends continuing training programs and seminars relating to the court, the Department of assignment, criminal correction or parole law, rules, regulations and procedures.
Supervises the establishment and maintenance of the records and files necessary for each case and investigation.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized 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 either: (A) the custodial field which shall have included investigations of violations of rules, regulations, standards, and laws by adult inmates, juveniles and/or employees working within a secured facility or (B) in parole casework.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional 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.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Appointees will be required to satisfactorily complete the basic course for Investigators at the Division of Criminal Justice Training Academy if they have not already done so.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A: 154-4, investigators working in secured facilities are empowered to act as peace officers. As such, they must have completed basic police training conducted by the Police Training Commission.
NOTE: Appointees to this position must successfully qualify semi-annually in the use of firearms.
LICENSE:
Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required operator's license commensurate with the class and type of vehicle, equipment, or watercraft they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of interview techniques.
Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and precautions used to conduct investigations of criminal nature.
Knowledge of the care, use and security of firearms and other restraint/defense equipment.
Knowledge of the regulations and standards of the Department.
Knowledge of the economic, social and other problems of persons subject to the authority of law enforcement officers.
Knowledge of the disciplinary program of the Department.
Ability to carry a weapon while on duty.
Ability to provide assignments, instruction and guidance to staff and supervise their work performance.
Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize and implement projects within the unit.
Ability to conduct routine, special and confidential investigations.
Ability to organize assigned field and office work, analyze problems and develop appropriate work methods.
Ability to be proficient in the care, use and security of firearms and other restraint/defense equipment.
Ability to function as a peace officer for the detection, arrest and conviction of offenders.
Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of accurate and thorough reports of investigations.
Ability to read, interpret and apply the laws and regulations affecting investigative activities.
Ability to understand and explain the complexities and uses of evidentiary laws and rules.
Ability to use specialized equipment.
Ability to work under adverse conditions and at any hour of the day.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of correspondence.
Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate and informative investigative and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Ability to supervise the preparation of cases for trial or hearings.
Ability to act as a witness in court or at formal hearings and provide testimony under oath.
Ability to keep current in department policies and procedures and criminal correctional or parole law and court procedures by attending continuing training programs and seminars.
Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
Ability to learn how 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 and 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 if 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.
