Criminal Investigator

About the role

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is dedicated to impacting and transforming young lives, strengthening families, and supporting safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation. This role, under general supervision by the Criminal Investigations Lieutenant, involves conducting criminal and administrative investigations to ensure the overall safety of the agency.

Responsibilities

• Investigates both criminal and administrative cases.
• Obtains and develops evidence and secures information for use in appropriate proceedings by conducting interrogations of suspects, victims, and witnesses.
• Prepares necessary investigative reports of factual findings.
• Maintains case records, including hard case files.
• Ensures and maintains a high level of credibility, confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism at all times.
• Confers with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies related to inquiries and requests for information; coordinates joint investigations as directed by the Director of Public Safety and/or Inspector General.
• Works with various levels of court administrations and solicitor's offices statewide related to DJJ investigations and prosecution of defendants/respondents.
• Prepares accurate reports and testifies to related findings regarding criminal cases, requiring concise, concrete, and comprehensive oral and written skills.
• Reports and testifies to regulating boards concerning professional licenses when violations are alleged.
• Processes minor crime scenes to collect evidence and/or property, including correct labeling and packaging for reference and identification.
• Maintains evidence in a secure manner to prevent loss, theft, and/or contamination.
• Ensures proper chain of custody of all items along with applicable documentation.
• Documents, processes, and tracks evidence for submission to the evidence room, ensuring the Primary Evidence Technician is informed of evidence collection and handling.
• Assists in patrolling assigned areas to prevent crime and detect violations of law when directed.
• Responds to complaints, reports of violations, and requests for assistance.
• Performs general police work such as maintaining order during emergencies, participating in manhunts, and transporting youth/subjects.
• Issues warnings and citations to violators.
• Attends training sessions to maintain Class I certification as prescribed by SC Code-Chapter 23.
• Maintains the ability to physically perform job duties as a Class I Law Enforcement Officer.
• Performs all other job-related duties as requested by the Inspector General or their designee.
• Manages time, use of resources, and caseload to meet the Unit's Standard Operating Procedures.
• Must be on-call 24/7 unless on approved leave and readily available to travel overnight by various means of transportation.

Requirements

• High school diploma and experience performing patrol or investigative duties with a public law enforcement agency. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required law enforcement experience.
• Certification by the Law Enforcement Training Council in accordance with 23-23-40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976 (Class I certification).
• General knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern police administration and police work.
• Ability to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods, operate various office equipment and computers, travel as needed, work in an environment with incarcerated youth, and perform physical duties such as reaching and bending.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma with three (3) years as a Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer, trained by the SC Criminal Justice Academy or out-of-state equivalent.
• A bachelor's degree may be substituted for required experience.
• Certification by the SC Law Enforcement Training Council in accordance with State Statute-Section 23-23-40.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave