INVESTIGATOR 1 DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of an Investigator 3, Supervisor of Investigations, or other supervisory official in a State department or agency, or local government agency, conducts routine investigations in the field or from the central office, involving alleged non-compliance with State statutes and regulatory requirements; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular 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:
Investigates cases involving alleged fraud, negligence, misrepresentation, misconduct, or abuse/neglect by public employees, industry representatives, licensed/certified professionals, authorized vendors, or out-of-home caretakers.
Reviews criminal history record information from verifiable sources and performs follow-up investigations to determine the employment eligibility of applicants and existing employees.
Participates in joint investigations and/or surveillance with other agencies to gain knowledge of illegal activities to develop a case for enforcement action.
Maintains the confidentiality of investigations.
Utilizes cameras, radios, and other investigative equipment and analyzes the information gathered through their use.
Reviews correspondence relating to inquiries and prepares draft of replies for review and approval, which are consistent with applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, and relevant documentation.
Prepares and/or assists in the preparation of legal documents for review and further processing.
Participates in the execution or serving of legal documents such as administrative warrants, subpoenas, orders, and notices.
May conduct surveillance at all hours to establish patterns of conduct and detect violations of law.
Identifies, collects, and preserves physical evidence obtained during the course of an investigation.
Reviews and analyzes information contained in records and documents maintained by individuals, business, and financial or governmental entities to determine departure from acceptable practices.
Interviews witnesses to obtain accurate and comprehensive supporting documentation relative to alleged violations by individual(s) or organization(s).
As part of a team, monitors compliance of joint agency-controlled activities and institutes enforcement action on any violations noted.
Develops methods of investigation to comply with applicable statues and regulations.
Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of investigational activities containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and notifies appropriate agencies.
Prepares detailed correspondence.
Acts as a witness and testifies for the State before grand juries, courts of law, administrative hearings, or other judicial bodies as required.
Conducts surveys of customers served by regulated entities to monitor compliance with regulations.
Maintains essential records, reports, and files relevant to investigatory matters.
Will be required to learn how 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.
Five (5) years of professional office and/or field experience conducting investigations, collecting evidence, and preparing investigative reports related to criminal, civil, or regulatory matters involving fraud, misrepresentation, or other acts of criminal or civil misconduct; or as a police officer performing criminal follow-upinvestigations
(not preliminary investigations).
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR
Possession of a master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, or Criminal Justice.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees 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 necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the legal terminology used in investigative work.
Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used to conduct investigations and interviews.
Knowledge of the methods used to research and obtain background data.
Knowledge of legal documents such as subpoenas, affidavits, and search warrants and the procedures for requesting, obtaining, and executing them.
Knowledge of the types of information needed to prepare cases for hearing or trial.
Knowledge of the techniques used to review contracts, deeds, sales agreements, guarantees, warranties, and advertising material to determine rights of complainants and seek evidence of misrepresentation. Knowledge of the types of conduct that would legally constitute negligence, abuse/neglect, or willful misconduct under the regulatory enforcement of the assigned department.
Ability to confer with and interact with the general public and representatives of other governmental agencies.
Ability to access, interpret, and maintain criminal history files.
Ability to operate equipment such as radios and cameras.
Ability to interview witnesses and take proper statements from them to introduce into evidence.
Ability to gather and preserve evidence to introduce in court proceedings.
Ability to obtain and review reports of police and other law enforcement agencies.
Ability to determine and evaluate situations which require photographs and/or radios.
Ability to testify to the accuracy, time, place, and direction of photographs to lay a foundation for their introduction as evidence.
Ability to conduct and/or participate as a member of a team in assigned office and/or field investigative duties.
Ability to understand and apply the New Jersey statutes, laws, regulations, standards, and policies governing the procedures for regulatory control and compliance with civil, administrative, criminal, and institutional abuse/neglect.
Ability to understand and apply relevant statutes and legal standards to determine what types of offenses or crimes would disqualify applicants or employees from employment.
Ability to provide testimony under oath in administrative hearings, State and federal courts, or other judicial bodies.
Ability to gather and analyze information from investigations.
Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of investigational activities containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
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 the 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.
