Compliance Investigator

About the role

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed at moving the city towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in custody, and enabling people in custody to access tools and opportunities for successful re-entry. The Office of Policy and Compliance (OPC) serves as the primary liaison with the New York State Commission of Correction (SCOC), coordinating agency responses to reports, audits, evaluations, and Minimum variance requests. OPC conducts audits to monitor facility compliance with federal and state court orders, consent decrees, and settlement agreements, including specialized housing unit conditions, prepares executive compliance reports, and provides technical assistance and operational guidance to DOC senior staff and facility management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and coordinate field investigations of correctional facilities to assess operational compliance with agency policies, directives, and regulatory requirements;
• Support annual inspections of Horizon and Crossroads Juvenile Detention Facilities to ensure alignment with state requirements and certification standards;
• Conduct pre-inspections and/or follow-ups to ensure facilities correct deficiencies;
• Identify recurring compliance issues across facilities and recommend solutions for operational improvement;
• Prepare clear, comprehensive investigative reports and audit findings;
• Identify and communicate significant safety or operational risks to appropriate facility leadership and recommend corrective actions;
• Maintain current knowledge of SCOC regulations, agency directives, and operations orders;
• Plan and conduct mock audits to evaluate facility readiness for inspections and evaluations;
• Escalate immediate safety or serious policy violations observed during facility visits;
• Support and facilitate briefings with senior leadership regarding evaluations and proposed solutions;
• Draft and support with gathering information and plans in response to oversight requests;
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director and Deputy Director.

Minimum Qualifications

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full-time experience in one or more of the fields of accounting, auditing, correction administration, criminal justice administration and planning, forensic science, inspection, investigation, law enforcement, personnel administration, police science, and security, or in a major operational area of the agency in which the appointment is to be made; or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledgeable of audit/inspection techniques, methodologies, audit plans and audit protocols;
• Skilled in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint;
• Demonstrated success managing multiple priorities with attention to accuracy and deadlines;
• Ability to be a forward-thinking problem solver;
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing;
• Strong organizational, analytical, writing, and oral communication skills;
• Understanding of correctional operations;
• Experience with conducting audits and assessments, including use of automated audit instruments such as a tablet or laptop;
• Demonstrate ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively with a team;
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to exercise independent judgment in support of investigative and compliance objectives;
• Must clear a background investigation and possess a valid NYS driver’s license.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. City employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.