Background Investigator

Business Unit: 21800

Background Investigator #10112772-21800 Full-Time, Perm, in Albuquerque, NM

# of Positions: 1

Opening Date: 12-19-2024 - Close Date: 01-09-2025

Job Pay Range: II: $23.785 - $47.570 per hour OR $49,473 - $98,946 annually

Target Pay Range/Rate: $24.09 - $28.24 per hour OR $50,107 - $58,739 annually

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is recruiting for a full-time, classified, Background Investigator position #10112772-21800 for the Pretrial Division in Albuquerque, New Mexico. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Under general supervision of the Pretrial Services Supervisor, this position will work within the AOC Background Investigation and Public Safety Assessment Unit in Albuquerque, NM. This is a centralized unit developed to provide critical background investigation reports and outcomes of the Public Safety Assessment to courts statewide. This position will conduct thorough criminal background investigations on individuals arrested statewide and charged with criminal offenses prior to their initial hearing, arraignment and/or detention hearing; receive and respond to correspondence from detention centers and courts throughout the state; update various daily logs used to track work progress and performance. In addition, this position will act as a designee who is authorized to make pre-trial defendant release decisions based on program criteria. A shift differential of $3 per hour will be paid for all hours worked between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. The employee in this position is required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, when the AOC and/or courts are closed due to inclement weather. The ideal candidate has enthusiasm, is detail oriented and is a team player, while possessing experience with Odyssey and NCIC is a plus. Finalist(s) may be subject to criminal background check.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES

The Background Investigator is responsible for interviewing offenders to obtain and verify necessary background information to conduct a thorough criminal history background investigation.

Provides detailed reports to the court including recommendations for release.

Assesses offender’s threat level to self and others.

Makes appropriate recommendations for release and bonds based on criminal history.

Defends developed release or program recommendations and challenges to those recommendations.

May prepare written reports including detailed chronological criminal history, conditions of release, treatment referrals and future recommendations.

May attend court proceedings as necessary and present defendant profile and criminal history information and conditions or release recommendations to the court.

Provides release information to judges, involved parties and community members.

Compiles and reports statistical data.

Communicates with District Attorneys and other members of government and court agencies.

Participates and attends conferences, training and community outreach or educational programs related to court programs.

May complete detailed offender behavioral profile by contacting references and verifying information provided by offenders regarding employment, home, work, and school status.

May contact and interview victims.

May document interactions with defendants in the case management system and maintains current case files.

May performs scheduled and unannounced site visits (home, work, school, or other location) to obtain or verify background information.

May serve as the Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) and ensures compliance with security requirements.

May recognize patterns of drug, alcohol, and anger issues and makes appropriate recommendations for referrals to community treatment providers.

Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES/QUALIFICATIONS
The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of the state statutes, rules, and constitutional rights governing the release and bail eligibility for defendants; third party releases, community safety concerns, and recidivism; criminal behavior patterns and profiles; investigative techniques utilizing national, state, and local investigative resources and interviewing procedures; New Mexico law, civil and criminal procedures, and sentencing guidelines; court rules, policies and procedures, operations and structure; misdemeanor and felony arraignment proceedings and bail and bond processes; court supervision program; case management and legal terminology; substance abuse, mental health counseling and treatment, drug screening methods and equipment; mediation techniques and conflict resolution; NCIC (National Crime Information Center) procedures; and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed

BENEFITS

Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP) [http://www.mybenefitsnm.com/]

State paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance

Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses

Paid time off, up to eight (8) weeks

Paid time off and retirement buyback

Eleven (11) paid holidays

Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave

Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan

Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan [http://www.nmpera.org/]

Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations*

Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM

Bilingual compensation*

Training and career development opportunities

Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement

May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay*

May receive physical fitness leave*

*These benefits vary by job classification or need*

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, Counseling, or a directly related field.

• Education Substitution: Four (4) years of directly related or relevant experience may substitute on a year for year basis.

• Experience: Three (3) years of experience conducting background investigations or a related field.

• Experience Substitution: None.

• Other: Must obtain and maintain National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification within six (6) months of hire.

TO APPLY: Submit a New Mexico Judicial Branch Application for Employment, or a Resume and a Resume Supplemental form, and proof of education to:

Administrative Office of the Courts

Attn: AOC Human Resources Division

202 E. Marcy Street

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Fax: 505-479-2641

Email: jobs@nmcourts.gov

PROOF OF EDUCATION IS REQUIRED.

Applications can be emailed, faxed, or mailed.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER