INVESTIGATOR 1 CHILD PROTECTION
Career Family: INVESTIGATOR
Investigator 1 Child Protection sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It lists a master's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $71,562 to $104,839, and state payroll currently lists about 25 people in the title, most of them at Children and Families.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Investigator 1 Child Protection appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Children and Families.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Children and Families | 25 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Investigator series
- Investigator 1 — $62,499 – $91,249
- Investigator 2 — $71,562 – $104,839
- Investigator 3 — $83,582 – $122,832
- Investigator 4 Law and Publc Safety — $83,582 – $122,832
Its top salary lands around the 53rd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 25 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $88,433. The agencies employing the most are:
- Children and Families (25)
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 an Investigator 3 or other supervisory official, in the Department of Children and Families, conducts investigations involving on site, out of home civil child abuse/neglect allegations; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Investigates cases involving alleged institutional child abuse/neglect by employees, licensed/certified professionals, or authorized vendors or out of home caretakers. Participates in joint investigations and/or surveillance with other departments or other law enforcement agencies. Maintains confidentiality with investigations. May be required to use cameras, radios and other investigative equipment and analyze the information gathered through their use. Reviews correspondence relating to inquiries and prepares draft of replies consistent with applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and relevant documentation for review and approval. Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal documents for review and further processing. Participates in the execution or serving of legal documents such as administrative warrants, subpoenas, orders, and notices. May conduct surveillance at all hours to establish patterns of conduct and detect violations of law. Identifies, collects, and preserves physical evidence obtained during the course of an investigation. Reviews and analyses information contained in records and documents maintained by individuals, business, financial or governmental entities to determine departure from acceptable practices. Interviews witnesses to obtain accurate and comprehensive supporting documentation relative to alleged violations by individual(s) or organization(s). As part of a team, monitors compliance of joint agency controlled activities and institutes enforcement action on any violations noted. Develops methods of investigation to comply with applicable statues and regulations. Prepares reports of investigational activities containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Prepares correspondence. Acts as a witness and testifies for the state before grand juries, courts of law, administrative hearings, or other judicial bodies as required. Maintains records and files relevant to investigatory matters. 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
Appointee 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 the types of conduct that would legally constitute abuse/neglect under the regulatory enforcement of the Department of Children and Families. Knowledge of legal documents such as subpoenas, affidavits, and search warrants and the procedures for requesting, obtaining and executing them. Knowledge of legal terminology used in course of investigative work. Knowledge of the types of information needed to prepare cases for hearing or trial. Knowledge of investigative methods and interviewing techniques. Knowledge of the methods to research and obtain background data. Ability to interpret and apply the New Jersey statutes, laws, regulations, standards and policies governing the procedures for regulatory control and compliance with civil, administrative, criminal, and institutional abuse/neglect. Ability to gather and analyze information from investigations. Ability to interview witnesses and take proper statements from them to introduce into evidence. Ability to gather and preserve evidence to introduce in court proceedings. Ability to act as a witness in court or at formal hearings and provide testimony under oath. Ability to determine and evaluate situations which require photographs and/or radios. Ability to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to conduct interviews and investigations. Ability to obtain and review reports of police and other law enforcement agencies. 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 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 the 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. CODES: 23/I23 - MER 9/01/07
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. Six (6) years of professional office and/or field experience conducting investigations, collecting evidence, and preparing investigative reports involving high risk child abuse and/or neglect or other problematic situations involving services to clients with social, emotional, psychological or other behavioral problems, or as a police officer performing criminal follow-up investigations (not preliminary investigations). OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Divinity or other related behavioral science area; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.