CHIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief of Investigations is a competitive state or local title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $106,547 to $157,363, and state payroll currently lists 6 people in the title, led by Unknown.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Chief of Investigations on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 6 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $142,118. The agencies employing the most are:
- Unknown (3)
- Education (1)
- Human Services (1)
- Office of State Comptroller (1)
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.
Definition
Under general direction of an Assistant Director or other supervisory official in a State department or agency, administers investigative programs involving alleged non-compliance with State statutes and regulatory requirements; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Plans, assigns, and directs work of subordinate Investigators and provides technical and administrative guidance. Coordinates the investigation of highly sensitive and specialized complex cases involving alleged fraud, negligence, incompetency, misrepresentation, misconduct or institutional abuse by public employees, industry representatives, licensed/certified professionals, or authorized vendors or home caretakers. Authorizes the transmittal of information to other investigative agencies. Coordinates the supervision of investigative activities to secure, preserve and record evidence. Establishes and implements uniform policies and procedures for use by investigative personnel. Monitors investigative program needs and directs the redeployment of personnel from various investigative sections to meet changing priorities and deadlines. Monitors the coordination of investigative efforts by Federal, State, county and municipal law enforcement agencies; assigns investigators to assist, develop and investigate cases of mutual interest and networking agreements by law/statute. Plans, assigns, and directs the investigations of complaints originating from the public or law enforcement agencies alleging illegal activities of various public/consumer entities. Testifies as an investigative expert for the State before formal hearings, Grand Juries, courts of law or other judicial bodies for the prosecution of alleged offenders or other proceedings. Consults with the local County Prosecutor's Office to coordinate joint investigative efforts to prosecute offenders accused of criminal, civil, administrative, or institutional abuse/neglect. Consults with the Attorney General's Office regarding administrative search warrants, subpoenas, and other documents required by law during the course of an investigation. Oversees the training of investigative personnel. Oversees the preparation of legal documents. Manages 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. Consults with the Attorney General's Office to coordinate joint investigative efforts in the prosecution of offenders. Supervises the maintenance of records, reports, 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.
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 the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices. Knowledge of the investigative methods and interview techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to execute an affidavit. Knowledge of the types of conduct that would legally constitute negligence, abuse/neglect, or willful misconduct. Knowledge of the procedures used to obtain subpoenas and search warrants. Knowledge of legal standards for what constitutes bribery including knowledge of relevant statues. Knowledge of determining, preserving, collating and maintaining admissible evidence for a case which will be prosecuted in court. Ability to analyze facts and data from investigations. Ability to provide testimony as an expert witness for the State before hearings, Grand Juries, courts of laws, administrative hearings or other judicial bodies. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of reports. Ability to consult with the Attorneys General's Office concerning the coordination of investigative functions and other legal problems. Ability to supervise the training of investigative personnel. Ability to plan, assign and direct the work and activities of an investigative staff. Ability to maintain records, reports and files. Ability to interpret the New Jersey statutes governing compliance with civil, administrative, criminal, and institutional abuse/neglect. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information networking 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 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: 32/M32- DJ 10/6/01
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. Ten (10) years of profesional office and/or professional field experience conducting investigations, collecting evidence and preparing investigative reports related to criminal, civil or regulatory matters involving fraud, misrepresentation or other acts of criminal or civil misconduct; three (3) years shall have included supervisory responsibility. Experience as a police officer performing criminal follow-up investigations (not preliminary investigations) may be substituted for the above non-supervisory experience on a year for year basis. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have included supervisory responsibility. OR Possession of a master's degree in public administration, business administration, social work, or criminal justice; and five (5)years of the above-mentioned professional experience; three (3) years which shall have included supervisory responsibility. "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.
Study guides for this exam
- Management Test Battery (MTB) National Learning Corporation · $52.95
- Manager/Administrator Test National Learning Corporation · $49.95 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.