INVESTIGATOR PROBATION

Code: 02196 Local Competitive

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, makes preliminary contacts and performs routine fact-finding investigations pertaining to financial resources, residency, and other circumstances concerning persons under court supervision, applying for assistance in the enforcement of child support decrees, assignment of counsel, release on recognizance, or for other benefits which require judicial determination; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Obtains and verifies by interviews, telephone calls, or other means routine factual information for use of professional staff pertaining to financial resources, residency, and other circumstances concerning persons applying for child support enforcement assistance, assignment of counsel, release on recognizance, or for other benefits which require judicial determination.
• Facilitates enforcement of child support orders by verification of employment, residency, and location of absent parents, or by identifying cases for court, income withholding, or other enforcement methods.
• Collects, issues receipts for, and, using prepared forms, records/monitors payment of fines, costs, restitutions, orders for the support of dependents, and/or other payments due under court orders.
• Sends out delinquency notices and routine or other form letters.
• Appears in court to testify as to the facts of cases and accuracy of records.
• Visits and interviews inmates/detainees to gather information pending charges, background, work history, and so forth, and completes required documentation for pretrial release activities.
• Collects and verifies information, which is gathered by requesting adult criminal/juvenile/family histories, by contacting family, work location, references, other law enforcement agencies, and so forth in person and by using other means.
• Prepares documentation including facts gathered, recommendations, and other pertinent information on each defendant or plaintiff where applicable, and provides updates/follow-ups as needed.
• Submits recommendations of the county prosecutor's office or other criminal justice agency to the judge for consideration in the setting and reduction of bail and other terms of release.
• Participates in monitoring conditions imposed by the court.
• Maintains contact with inmates released on bail and other terms of release to ensure their compliance with conditions of their release until final disposition of the pending charges.
• May assist in the process of setting bail and other terms of release by collecting/verifying information on the charges and the past record of those arrested, and submitting findings to the court.
• Prepares official reports, correspondence, and memoranda.
• Maintains records and files.
• 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 field and office experience in investigational work of the type performed as a insurance claims investigator or as an investigator in a credit organization, government agency, police department, or social service agency or in the investigation of matters which involved the collection of facts, and obtaining information by observing conditions, examining records, interviewing individuals, developing conclusions/recommendations based on information gathered, and preparing investigative reports of findings.

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 principles and techniques of investigating.
• Knowledge of problems which may arise in routine investigational work.
• Knowledge of interviewing and fact gathering techniques.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and laws as they relate to activities of the court system and the bail release process.
• Ability to make field investigations and prepare reports thereon.
• Ability to interview persons of varied backgrounds to obtain factual information.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic laws, regulations, and penalties.
• Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral/written instructions and directions of some complexity.
• Ability to read and interpret basic records and to recognize evasion/discrepancies.
• Ability to prepare reports of investigations containing factual data and documentary or other evidence.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to interview and gather accurate/significant information from incarcerated individuals.
• Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods in accord with established policies and formats.
• Ability to remain and act objectively while dealing with persons who may be emotionally upset and antagonistic.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports and other documentation containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to collect, verify, and make appraisals of factual information from a variety of sources, identify essential/significant facts, evaluate them, and take action thereof.
• 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.

Applicants who do not possess the required experience may substitute college level course work from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.