What are the responsibilities and job description for the Investigative Specialist 1 (Law)/Trainee (NY HELPS) position at New York State Office of the Attorney General?
VACANCY ID # 179044 EMPLOYMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
TITLE: INVESTIGATIVE SPECIALIST 1 (LAW) OR
INVESTIGATIVE SPECIALIST TRAINEE 1 (LAW)
STATUS: PERMANENT
BUREAU: INVESTIGATIONS
LOCATION: BINGHAMTON
We are seeking talented and mo tivated staff to work in the State’s law firm. The selected candidate will be part of a fast-
paced office, gaining experience while providing public service on behalf of the State of New York. The Attorney General
serves the public interest of all New Yorkers in matters affecting their daily lives, enforcing laws to protect consumers, tenants,
patients, workers, investors, and charitable donors. The office coordinates statewide civil and criminal investigations, promoting
economic and social justice, encouraging harm-reducing public health strategies, and preserving the state’s environment.
Careers with the State offer multiple benefits including paid vacation leave (13 days per year), sick leave, paid State holidays
off, health insurance including vision & dental, entry into the NYS retirement (pension) system, education and training, eligibility
for public student loan forgiveness, and job stability with promotional opportunities. Workplace flexibilities include multiple
options for employees including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.
DUTIES
- Plan and conduct investigations based on a thorough knowledge of the application and interpretation of the specific laws and
- Review Claims and Notices of Intention filed against the State to determine type of action and what investigation is needed.
- Contact and correspond with other departments or agencies, including Federal, State, Municipal or local governments, for
information relating to the case. Locate and contact private organizations for information and locate and review court records
or insurance company files.
- Use computer databases such as Department of Motor Vehicles, ISO, Choice Point (CDB-Infotek), Dun & Bradstreet, Lexis-
- Conduct field investigations at the location or site/scene of incidents; collect and secure physical evidence, records,
reports/records or fire department or ambulance reports, etc.; interview and obtain statements from witnesses.
- Conduct undercover investigations, including surveillance of claimants using video and still cameras.
- Locate and work with expert witnesses needed at or for preparation of the trial. Service of papers and subpoenas on parties,
law firms, agencies, corporations, government offices, etc. for appearances as witnesses at the trial or for documents needed
at the trial or for Examinations Before Trial (EBTs).
- Transport witnesses, documents, or exhibits to EBTs or trials. Confer with Assistant Attorneys General during the course of
- Perform various duties involving State-wide initiatives.
- Investigate and resolve consumer disputes by communicating both verbally or in writing with all concerned parties.
- Research and interpret laws and decisions as they are related to consumer issues.
- Occasional supervision of student interns.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- This position requires travel.
HOURS
The agency's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (37.5 hours/week).
Scheduling determinations are dependent upon the needs of each Bureau and will be communicated during interviews.
SOME EVENING AND WEEKEND WORK IS REQUIRED. The duties, at times, require the investigator to work at all hours of the
day, including early morning or late at night, including weekends, and, at times, holidays, in all areas of upstate New York regions,
NYC, Long Island, and possibly out of state.
SELECTED CANDIDATES MUST BE FINGERPRINTED AND PAY FINGERPRINT FEE, MUST UNDERGO A PHYSICAL/
MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND PAY CLINICAL LABORATORY TEST FEE, AND MUST UNDERGO A THOROUGH
CHARACTER INVESTIGATION PRIOR TO HIRE.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
NY HELPS:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of
the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all
candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire
employees by making provisional appointments. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected
employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without
having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive
class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion
examination for which they are qualified.
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Investigative Specialist 1 (Law)
PEF, SG-18 (Starting Salary $65,001, job rate $82,656) *
*Positions located in New York City receive an additional $3,400 downstate adjustment location pay
Six years of experience in a field investigative position conducting interviews of witnesses and others, taking written
statements and affidavits, collecting and analyzing physical and documentary evidence, and preparing detailed written reports of
investigative findings.
Substitution:
An associate degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration,
criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science,
economic crime management, or homeland security can substitute for two years of specialized experience;
A bachelor's or higher degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration,
criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science,
economic crime management, or homeland security can substitute for four years of specialized experience.
Types of Investigative experience that could be considered qualifying: experience in such positions as police detective, insurance
investigator, licensed and registered private investigator, federal investigator, state investigator, municipal investigator, child
protective services investigator, in an investigative position involving trial preparations and detailed reports, or investigations within
a branch of the Armed Services are examples which meet the Minimum Qualifications.
Examples of non-qualifying experience include but are not limited to: experience in routine police patrol work, security guard or
related security position, tax collector, collector of delinquent accounts, credit checker, legal assistant/attorney, hotel or store
detective, loss prevention officer, parole officer, correction officer, guard, inspector, or experience in adoption and/or foster care
placement.
Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Law)
PEF, NS (eq SG 13) (Starting Salary $49,363, job rate $63,169)*
- Positions located in New York City receive an additional $3,400 downstate adjustment location pay
Four years of investigative experience. Qualifying experience: "investigative experience" is defined as gathering and securing
information and evidence from a variety of sources through independent, non-structured activities including the preparation and
submission of detailed narrative reports describing the method of gathering the evidence and the results of the investigations.
Experience in auditing, interviewing, building security surveillance, traffic enforcement, or performing routine inspections or surveys
will NOT be considered investigative experience.
Depending on qualifications, you may be required to serve a one to two year traineeship that leads to the full level SG 18 position.
COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Current NYS Employee reachable on the Civil Service Eligible List for Investigative Specialist 1 (Law) OR eligible for
transfer as an Investigative Officer 1, Investigative Officer 1 (Spanish), Investigative Specialist 1 (Cannabis), Investigative
Specialist 1 (Narcotics). OR Permanent or Contingent Permanent status as an Investigative Specialist 1 (Law) OR
Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Law) OR eligible for 70.1 transfer as a Senior Consumer Frauds Representative with one
year of Permanent Competitive Service.
HOW TO APPLY
SUBMIT A CLEAR AND CONCISE COVER LETTER STATING IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE INVESTIGATIVE
SPECIALIST 1 (LAW) OR TRAINEE 1 (LAW).
� You must clearly identify how you meet the qualifying experience listed above.
� When denoting start and end dates, please include the month and year.
Your cover letter and resume must be submitted online.
BING_179044.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
POSTED JANUARY 23, 2025
Salary : $49,363 - $82,656
