What are the responsibilities and job description for the Detective Investigator position at New York State Office of the Attorney General?
Investigations Division
Office of Special Investigation (OSI) – Syracuse
Detective Investigator
Reference No. INV_OSI_SYR_6519_041025
Application Deadline is April 10, 2025
Special Investigations’ (OSI) Syracuse location. Candidates should be hard working, motivated, and committed to
public service on behalf of the people of the State of New York.
In June 2020, the New York State Legislature passed legislation codifying and expanding the Governor’s previous
Executive Order granting the OAG the jurisdiction to investigate and potentially prosecute incidents when a police
officer or peace officer causes the death of a person.
OSI Detectives participate in investigations of the circumstances, facts, and conditions connected with incidents
covered by the OSI’s legislative mandate, using the highest level of independent judgment and discretion to ensure
the integrity, thoroughness, and fairness of the investigations.
OSI is a special and unique office, which requires OSI detectives to have special and unique abilities, particularly
with mindset. Too often, those who have had a long career in the field of law enforcement develop a bias where they
view actions of police through the lens of being right or justified. This is sometimes referred as “Blue bias.”
Candidates who apply for an OSI Detective position must be free of this kind of bias, or at least have the ability to
recognize it so as to eliminate it from any and all OSI investigations.
Detective Investigators work collaboratively in case specific investigative teams with Assistant Attorneys General,
analysts, and crime scene technicians while demonstrating the highest level of professionalism.
Duties performed by Detective Investigators may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Investigate instances that fall within the jurisdictional purview of OSI.
- Assist in the development of investigative plans with the interdisciplinary team, develop leads and informants,
conduct physical and technical surveillance, execute search warrants, effect arrests, serve subpoenas and
review relevant reports.
- Conduct witness interviews and prepare comprehensive written reports.
- Work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
- Performance of duties may require unscheduled work on evenings and weekends. Selected candidates may be
temporarily reassigned to other areas within the State based on the needs of the Office of the Attorney General.
Scheduled “on call” tours (including weekends) will be mandatory.
Minimum Qualifications:
- The ability to recognize the need for a unique and special mindset to be a part of OSI, which includes the ability
to be independent, objective, and free from outside influences, where specific outcomes may be sought for any
given OSI case(s).
- Cultural competence to understand and effectively respond to cultural differences that may impact an
- Must have at least ten (10) years of prior law enforcement or investigative experience.
- Have current NYS basic police academy certification approved by DCJS or the ability to successfully complete all
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
- Must possess a valid NYS Driver’s License with ability to operate a motor vehicle.
- The NYS Public Officer’s Law requires that all police officers be citizens of the United States of America and
reside within the State of New York at the time of appointment.
- Must possess strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Must possess strong interviewing and interrogation skills.
- Experience conducting investigations including, but not limited to, death investigations, officer-involved
- Demonstrated success in the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary investigative team.
- Proficiency with computers, common word processing applications, use of search engines, investigative
- Having established law enforcement contacts on the local, state and federal levels.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in any of the following areas:
- conducting internal affairs investigations
- conducting complex, long-term investigations.
- conducting surveillance operations including the use of surveillance technologies.
- obtaining and executing arrest and search warrants.
- testifying in grand jury and court proceedings.
- effectively conducting and managing multiple investigations.
- The ability to read, write, speak and understand a second language in addition to English (e.g., Spanish,
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Additional Training:
Detective Investigators in OSI will be required to successfully complete the following courses. Course participation
will be coordinated and paid for by the Office of the NYS Attorney General:
- NYPD Homicide Course
- NYPD Critical Incident Training
- NYPD Internal Affairs Course
- New York State Interview and Interrogation Course
- Course on Ethics from an accredited institution.
- Communications course from an accredited institution
- Criminal Forensics Course
- New York State Police Colonel Henry Williams Annual Homicide Seminar
The annual salary for this position is $75,348. This position is overtime eligible. Performance of the duties may require
frequent, unscheduled work on evenings and weekends and requires 24/7 availability. This position is in the
exempt class, and incumbents serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online.
To ensure consideration, applications must be received by close of business on April 10, 2025.
- Cover Letter - Include the Reference number: INV_OSI_SYR_6519_041025
- Resume
- List of three (3) references - Only submit professional references, supervisory references are preferred.
If you have questions regarding a Detective Investigator position with the OAG, the application process, or need assistance with submitting your
application, please email Investigator.Jobs@ag.ny.gov or call 518-776-2500.
Salary : $75,348
