INVESTIGATOR TRAINEE (Local)
New Jersey classifies Investigator Trainee as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
It lists a bachelor's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. State payroll currently lists about 48 people in the title, led by Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 6 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 6 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Investigator Trainee appears on the State payroll at 7 departments, most of them at Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
State departments
Where this title is used
Investigator Trainee 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.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 48 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $53,807. The agencies employing the most are:
- Cannabis Regulatory Commission (15)
- Labor (11)
- Banking and Insurance (9)
- Treasury (5)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 close supervision of a Supervisor of Investigations, or other supervisory official as a trainee and productive worker, learns to conduct routine office and/or field duties to investigate alleged non-compliance with statutes and regulations; gather information to review claims; evaluate cases, or prepare reports; does other related duties.
Examples of work
As a trainee and productive worker: Learns to conduct investigations and gather information. Learns to review and evaluate information needed to review cases or settle claims. Learns to gather and organize data and present findings. Learns to review reports and other documents relevant to investigation or enforcement regulations. Learns to participate in joint investigations. Learns to and assists in the preparation, issuance and execution of legal and other documents. Learns to prepare answers to complaints and inquiries by correspondence, telephone or in person. Learns to prepare reports of investigational activities containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Learns to research files and gather data to secure, preserve and record evidence which may include the use of cameras, radios and other investigative equipment. Learns to investigate complaints pertaining to the administration or enforcement activities of the agency of assignment. Learns to prepare documents for review and further processing. Maintains the necessary and essential records and files in the administration of duties and assignments. 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.
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 the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of interview and research techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data. Ability to interpret legal terminology. Ability to review, interpret and evaluate data and information. Ability to conduct interviews. Ability to identify and obtain needed information. Ability to review and evaluate complaints. Ability to read and interpret rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to work cooperatively with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to organize technical investigative work and develop effective work methods. Ability to prepare reports of investigations containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to learn and 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the 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 with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. ADVANCEMENT Applicants who successfully complete the required twelve (12) month training program will be eligible for advancement to one of the following titles: Claims Investigator (), Field Representative, Disease Control (), Field Representative, Disease Control, Bilingual in Spanish and English (), Investigator 1 (), and such other titles as may be designed by the Civil Service Commission. The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above may be considered as cause for separation
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 must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position. Please refer to the Advancement section located at the bottom of this title specification for a comprehensive list of approved journeyman titles connected to this trainee title. Experience must be related to the journeyman title associated with the position. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.