Investigator Bilingual (Spanish) (Probation Child Support)

About the role

The Bergen Vicinage Probation Division is seeking a reliable, detail-oriented individual interested in making a difference as an Investigator Bilingual in its Child Support Enforcement Unit. The selected candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, as well as technical competence. Under the direction of the Probation Division Manager (Court Executive 2b) and other supervisory personnel, the selected individual will conduct investigations and gather relevant facts pertaining to cases.

Responsibilities

• Perform investigatory work, including initial intake process
• Managing case flow and/or monitoring outcomes of cases, along with completing necessary data entry
• Analyze case histories to monitor and enforce conditions of court orders
• Explain Judiciary policies or procedures to clients/customers
• Identify clients'/customers' case management needs
• Ensure the timely disposition and entry of all orders and subsequent proceedings
• Conduct client interviews
• Prepare case for court hearings and make recommendations to the courts
• Establish working relationships with divisions, vicinages, or other outside organizations
• Review documents submitted to the court for compliance with court rules and approved practices
• Ensure all case activities, updates and interaction are documented through case notes to ensure proper case tracking and/or draft other case-related correspondence
• Advise management and judges on case issues
• Provide cross-training to co-workers
• Perform other duties as assigned

For the bilingual title, the above examples of work are to be performed by utilizing Spanish or English, as required, depending on the needs of the individual persons communicated with during the course of official duties. Such examples do not require an individual to interpret or translate any court proceeding or in any other context.

Qualifications

Two years of paraprofessional experience in casework involving the collection of facts, securing, and verifying socioeconomic data, obtaining information by observing conditions, examining records, interviewing individuals, and/or preparing investigative reports of findings.

Substitution: Applicants may substitute semester hour credits from an accredited college or university for the required experience on a year-for-year basis with 30 semester hour credits being equal to one year of experience.

Bilingual requirement

Candidates selected to serve in a bilingual variant title must pass the New Jersey Civil Service Commission Bilingual Communicative Ability Test (BICAT) performance examination or provide proof of having established bilingual proficiency with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.

Additional requirements

• Driver's License: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
• Authorization to Work: US citizenship is not required. Selected candidate must be authorized to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.
• Background Check: Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that will include fingerprinting.
• Residency Law: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), the "New Jersey First Act," all persons newly hired by the Judiciary within one year must establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey. Any person may request an exemption from that requirement from the Employee Residency Review Committee in the Department of Labor & Workforce Development on the basis of either hardship or employer critical need.
• Remote Work: The Judiciary currently offers a hybrid work schedule, and this position may qualify for up to 2 days of remote work outside of Judiciary buildings. To participate in this program, in addition to installing a multifactor authentication app on your phone or tablet, you will be required to have high speed home internet access.
• Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function of this position.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $48,423.30 to $91,649.93 for Schedule A, and $48,423.30 to $82,047.30 for Schedule B. For newly hired individuals, the starting salary will normally be at the minimum of the salary range. For current Judiciary employees, salary upon promotion or advancement will be an increase of 5% of base salary, not to exceed the maximum of the range, or the minimum salary of the band/level, whichever is greater. Judiciary employees hired prior to August 21, 2014, are considered Schedule A. Newly hired individuals, and Judiciary employees hired on or after August 21, 2014, are considered Schedule B.