INVESTIGATOR 3 CHILD PROTECTION
Career Family: INVESTIGATOR
Investigator 3 Child Protection is a state or local title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. State payroll currently lists about 15 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 3 Child Protection appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Children and Families.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Children and Families | 15 |
Where this title is used
Investigator 3 Child Protection is a common title, so it is used in both State and local service. The local side is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, which set their own pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule.
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.
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
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 15 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $124,366. The agencies employing the most are:
- Children and Families (15)
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 general direction of a Supervisor of Investigations or other supervisory official, in the Department of Children and Families, is responsible for supervision of a unit or team of Investigators, Child Protection who investigate on site, out of home civil child abuse/neglect allegations; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Organizes work assignments of subordinates and provides instructions. Develops and assists subordinates in the development of work methods of institutional or other out of home placement child abuse/neglect investigation to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. May examine and analyze reports of investigations filed by subordinate investigators and prepare summaries containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains records and files relevant to investigatory matters in the administration of duties and assignments. Analyzes or assists subordinates in the analyses of the investigative evidence. Develops methods of investigation to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the firing, hiring, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Prepares correspondence. Monitors the coordination of investigative efforts of staff with those of other State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies. Assigns and supervises the interviewing of witnesses to obtain comprehensive supporting documentation relative to the allegations. Maintains confidentiality with investigations. Reviews correspondence relating to inquiries and prepares replies based on review of documents relevant to investigatory matters and research of applicable laws, rules, and regulations. May train staff personnel. Reviews and analyzes information contained in records and documents maintained by individuals, business, financial or governmental entities to determine departure from acceptable practices. Acts as witness and testifies for the state before grand juries, courts of law, administrative hearings, or other judicial bodies as required. May be required to use cameras, radios and other investigative equipment and analyze the information gathered through their use. Searches judgment records on registered applicants to verify existence of judgments and to ensure that payment is being made or that judgment is still outstanding. Interviews witnesses to obtain supporting documentation relative to alleged violations by individual(s) or organization(s). Participates in the execution or serving of legal documents such as administrative warrants, subpoenas, orders, and notices. Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal documents for review and further process. Identifies, collects, and preserves evidence obtained during the course of an investigation. As part of a team, monitors compliance of joint agency controlled activities and institutes enforcement action on any violations noted. 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 legal terminology used in investigative work. 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 procedures and techniques used to conduct investigations. Knowledge of the methods to research and obtain background data. Knowledge of legal documents such as subpoenas, affidavits and search warrants and the procedures for requesting, obtaining, and executing them. Knowledge of interviewing techniques. Knowledge of supervisory techniques. Knowledge of techniques used to review contracts, sales agreements, guarantees, warranties, and advertising material to determine rights of complainants and seek evidence of misrepresentation. Knowledge of the types of conduct that would legally constitute negligence, abuse/neglect, or willful misconduct under the regulatory enforcement of the assigned department. Ability to use equipment such as radios and cameras. 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 obtain and review reports of police and other law enforcement agencies. Ability to determine and evaluate situations which require photographs, and/or radios. Ability to testify to the accuracy, time, place, and direction of photographs to lay a foundation for their introduction as evidence. Ability to conduct, or participate as a member of a team in assigned office and/or field investigative duties. 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 provide testimony under oath in administrative hearings, state and federal courts or other judicial bodies. Ability to investigate and analyze facts and data. Ability to prepare reports of investigative activities. Ability to prepare correspondence. 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 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. CODE: 3/09/2013
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. Eight (8) 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 four (4) 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 three (3) years 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.