NJ Civil Service Navigator

INVESTIGATOR LAW DEPARTMENT

Code: 02190 Local Competitive

To land Investigator Law Department in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.

To be eligible you bring a high school diploma and 2 years of relevant experience.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

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Where this title is used

Investigator Law Department is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, performs a variety of financial and other investigations with regard to matters referred to the Law Department for possible litigation; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • Receives delinquent hospital patient accounts referred to the Law Department by various institutions for collection and possible litigation.
  • Investigates property holdings, insurance policies, bank accounts, and other personal resources to determine ability to pay and available assets
  • Speaks with patients or their responsible relatives to obtain voluntary compliance.
  • Prepares and sends form letters.
  • Arranges part payment plans.
  • Negotiates offers in compromise with the approval of the legal staff and prepares resolutions for the reduction or abatement of costs.
  • Recommends litigation on those cases in which voluntary compliance is not possible.
  • Prepares liens, and serves summonses.
  • Investigates circumstances surrounding accident suits which have been brought against the jurisdiction.
  • Investigates the cause of the accident.
  • Gathers physical evidence.
  • Takes photographs if necessary.
  • Interviews witnesses.
  • Prepares written reports on findings.
  • May assist members of the legal staff by securing requested information from municipal, county, state, and federal government agencies.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in conducting field investigations of a type that involved (a) investigations in connection with prosecution or defense of civil or criminal cases, or (b) investigations concerning compliance with statutory laws, rules, and regulations, or 8 criminal investigations requiring use of a variety of investigatory methods and techniques, or (d) investigations conducted for practicing attorneys requiring use of recognized investigative methods and techniques, or (e) investigations of complex casualty or insurance claims which included a substantial number of cases involving suspected crimes or alleged fraud.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of procedures used in investigating financial circumstances and legal settlements of patients in institutions.
  • Knowledge of methods used in preparing reports.
  • Knowledge of procedures involved in maintaining records and files.
  • Knowledge of the rules of evidence.
  • Knowledge of investigatory techniques.
  • Ability to comprehend established rules and regulations.
  • Ability to interview persons of varying backgrounds.
  • Ability to use tact and courtesy in making investigations.
  • Ability to observe significant conditions.
  • Ability to prepare reports.
  • Ability to maintain records and files.
  • Ability to collect and assemble facts, determine applicability and relevance of laws, rules, and regulations, and to explain legal requirements.
  • Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.