Investigator II - OPR

Cook County

Sheriff

Job Code: 0698

Job Title: Investigator II

Salary Grade: 19

Department: Office of Professional Review

Bargaining Unit: FOP

Position Details: Sworn / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Probation Period: One year

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

Reports to OPR Director; responsible for conducting numerous, comprehensive, timely, administrative, employee misconduct investigations involving sworn and non-sworn personnel; works independently and as a team member with complex and high priority investigations; manages multiple investigative matters simultaneously, drafts and prepares concise, logical briefings, summaries and case reports of investigations, including recommendations for prosecution and/or administrative action; collects pertinent information, gathers and maintains evidence, conducts surveillance, compiles thorough investigative files, conducts investigative interviews, consults with prosecutors and/or other law enforcement agencies and generates related reports; performs other duties as assigned. Any incumbent will be subject to a one (1) year probationary period; this is a bargaining unit position.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Investigates employee misconduct complaints which vary from minor rule violations to serious misconduct, that may include criminal activity in a timely, comprehensive manner allowing the CCSO to institute appropriate discipline for sustained misconduct.

Conducts all investigations in compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures of the Office of Professional Review to ensure workplace standards and procedures throughout the Sheriff’s Office are maintained and enforced leading to competent, efficient, and productive operations.

Conducts thorough and useful interviews or interrogations of complainants, victims, witnesses, accused Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees, contract employees or civilians identified in the investigations.

Collects all relevant records and documents from within the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, including but not limited to, police reports, hospital records, employment records, video and/or audio recordings.

Manages sources of information.

Manages evidence security by ensuring chain of custody, creating, and maintaining evidence logs, monitoring evidence storage, transporting evidence and ensuring proper disposal of evidence and contraband.

Prepares computer typewritten investigative documents and reports; submits completed and accurate summary reports of the investigation.

Provides sworn testimony before the Cook County Sheriff’s Merit Board, as well as other recognized administrative, civil, and criminal courts.

Promotes professional standards by ensuring policy and procedure compliance, maintains a professional image representing the Sheriff’s Office externally, provides professional interventions, conducts, and attends training, attends continuing education, utilizes resource materials, and maintains professional memberships when required.

Serves employment action associated documents related to Discipline, HR, and Merit Board matters.

Have a working knowledge and understanding of Sheriff’s Office policy and procedures manuals to identify policy/procedure violations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Complete and thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative misconduct investigative methodology.

Possess high level of integrity and confidentiality with sensitive information.

Ability to understand and effectively interpret all federal, state, and local regulations dealing with investigations, including a working knowledge of the criminal laws and statutes of the State of Illinois.

Knowledge and experience in handling and collecting both documentary and physical evidence.

Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, to convey ideas and concepts, defend rationale and gain support for a position or proposed activity.

Skill in recognizing, developing, and presenting documentary and physical evidence that reconstructs the events, sequences and time elements and establishes relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflicts of interest in a manner that meets requirements for presentation in various legal hearings and court procedures.

Ability to exercise sound judgment; ensures that all sensitive and restricted information and materials are handled with discretion.

Ability to enter data into an automated case management system and work in a team atmosphere.

Ability to travel to work assignments by providing own means of transportation.

Ability to multitask and manage multiple investigations at one time to effectively manage a caseload and meet deadlines.

Ability to effectively document a chain of events by compiling a case report that articulates a summary, timeline, and conclusion/findings.

Minimum Qualifications

At least three (3) years’ experience of professional work experience with conducting Investigations. Investigative experience should include experience in conducting interviews, case report writing, and determinize a finding and conclusion.

Ability to understand and interpret Constitutional law as well as State and Federal statutes.

Possession of a High School diploma or General Education Development (GED) test certificate.

Three (3) or more years of professional work experience as a law enforcement officer.

Ability to provide Training Record.

Maintain a valid State of Illinois Firearms Owners Identification Card (F.O.I.D.) and Authorized to Carry Firearms status.

Possession of a valid Driver’s License, proof of vehicle insurance and the ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Typing skills (25 w.p.m. with 90% accuracy) and familiarity with computer keyboards and data inputting, clearly legible handwriting, and proficiency in spelling.

Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Capable of working any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights, Holidays, weekends, and mandatory overtime, as required.

Ability to submit three examples of reports you have written.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess Illinois state certification as a Law Enforcement Officer or successfully obtain a waiver by the Illinois Law Enforcement Trainings and Standard Board to hold such certification for the CCSO.

Possession of a Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.

Previous professional work experience with internal affairs investigations.

Experience in drafting and executing, Search Warrants, COHs, and ESOs.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link: https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Recruitment-and-Selection-Process-10-17-19.pdf

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.

• Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

EEO Statement

At the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, we value and embrace you. It’s our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an organization. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship—including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant’s merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.

Benefits

Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.

Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year

Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.

Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.

Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.

Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.

Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at https://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2024-10/OE25.Employee Benefits Overview_FINAL..pdf

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.

It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.

INCLUSION

We welcome you—the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive, and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that’s the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.* This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE

As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. “The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”