Internal Investigator 1 (Justice Center) / Trainee 1/2

About the role

The Internal Investigator 1 Justice Center will perform pre-adjudication investigations and assist other investigators. Duties include tracing, interviewing, and subpoenaing witnesses, victims, and suspects in civil cases; obtaining statements, documents, and related evidence; conducting investigations of civil complaints such as allegations of abuse and/or neglect, financial and death investigations; examining court, public, and governmental records; preparing evidence for trial; assisting in criminal offense investigations; writing narrative reports; coordinating witness appearances; testifying in adjudication proceedings; serving as a liaison with investigators and law enforcement; serving civil process documents; making case disposition recommendations; operating investigative equipment; and responding to incident scenes to collect evidence and conduct interviews.

Responsibilities

• Trace, interview, and subpoena witnesses, victims, and suspects in civil cases; obtain statements, documents, and related evidence for use in court.
• Conduct investigations of civil complaints including allegations of abuse and/or neglect, financial and death investigations.
• Examine court, public, and governmental records; prepare evidence for trial by taking photographs, preparing diagrams, charts, etc.
• Assist in the investigation of criminal offenses.
• Write narrative reports to communicate investigation results to appropriate parties.
• Coordinate witness appearances at adjudication proceedings and explain procedures to them.
• Testify in adjudication proceedings concerning evidence gathered in investigations.
• Serve as a liaison and coordinate investigative activities with investigators and law enforcement officers from various agencies.
• Serve civil process documents; make recommendations regarding case disposition.
• Operate computers, photographic and recording equipment, and other investigative resources.
• Respond to incident scenes to collect evidence and interview witnesses, victims, or subjects.

Minimum Qualifications

Non-competitive: Four years of investigative experience and satisfactory completion of a two-year traineeship (successful completion leads to appointment as Internal Investigator 1, SG-18). OR six years of investigative experience for appointment to full-level Internal Investigator 1 Justice Center, SG-18.

Substitution: An associate’s degree may substitute for two years of investigative experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of investigative experience.

Definition of investigative experience: Independent investigative experience including interviewing and interrogating witnesses; collecting and analyzing data and evidence; writing and summarizing case narratives; and testifying at administrative hearings and criminal proceedings.

Types of qualifying investigative experience: Police detective, licensed and registered private investigator, federal investigator, state investigator, municipal investigator, child protective services investigator, investigative roles involving trial preparations and detailed reports, or investigations within the Armed Services.

Non-qualifying investigative experience: Routine police patrol work, traffic enforcement, building surveillance, tax collection, delinquent account collection, skip tracing, credit checking, auditing, employment interviewing, hotel or store detective, correction officer, guard, inspector, security-related positions, or any position not involving law enforcement investigative or field investigation at the described level.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the direct provision of services related to the care, review, investigation, assessment, treatment, or case planning for persons in facilities or programs covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012, including facilities or providers caring for vulnerable persons within State Oversight Agencies (SOA). SOA agencies include the NYS Office of Mental Health, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, NYS Department of Health, and NYS Education Department.

Benefits

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 College Savings Program

Note: Specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, and length of State service.