INVESTIGATOR TRAINEE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
New Jersey classifies Investigator Trainee Law and Public Safety as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $53,282 to $55,691, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Law and Public Safety.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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 Trainee Law and Public Safety appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Law & Public Safety.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Law & Public Safety | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $52,644. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (2)
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 Supervising Investigator or under the guidance of an Investigator 4 or other supervisory official in the Department of Law and Public Safety, as a trainee and productive worker receives on-the-job training in the performance of regulatory audits and inspections of licensed premises; assists in the review records, files, financial statements, and other transactions to determine compliance with rules or regulations governing consumer protection laws; assists in the conduct of civil and regulatory investigative activities or specialized investigations to detect alleged noncompliance with or violations of New Jersey state statutes, administrative codes, or Professional Rules of Conduct or consumer protection laws; does other related work as required.
Examples of work
As trainee and productive worker: Learns to conduct investigations of alleged violations of or noncompliance with state statutes, administrative codes, rules, regulations, or Professional Rules of Conduct. Investigates information on applications and other documents. Learns to investigate allegations of negligence, incompetence, misrepresentation, or misconduct by licensed individuals, organizations, vendors, service providers, or other agencies. Learns to examine credit history of individuals or organizations. Learns to investigate claims for evidence of fraud or misconduct. Learns to investigate allegations of unethical conduct of licensed individuals or organizations under provisions of the Professional Rules of Conduct. Reviews complaints received from the general public. Learns to investigate incidents of improper or incomplete reporting techniques. Learns to investigate allegations of illegal activities or noncompliance with state statutes and administrative codes. Learns to examine the authenticity of charitable organizations and fundraising activities and their compliance with established laws. Learns to inspect vendor premises, equipment, files, records, and other transactions. Assists in informing consumers of illegal practices, such as false advertising, unsafe practices, or unlicensed practitioners. Learns to verify manufacturer's claim of product effectiveness and safety. Catalogs evidence for storage. Assists in securing evidence for accountability and presentation in court and administrative hearings. Learns to develop leads or information networks for investigative purposes. Learns to examine financial records and statements. Provides evidence as a witness or testifies in court or in administrative hearings. Learns to conduct routine inspections of organizations and companies. Learns to review compliance with standards, codes, laws, rules, or regulations. Assists enforcing court orders. Examines records, documents, or other official recorded material. Learns to review applications for licenses, permits, certificates or renewals. Assists in locating individuals under investigation. Learns to conduct background checks, such as credit history, financial assets, or criminal history. Learns to conduct administrative searches. Learns to monitor fair marketing of consumer products and services. Reviews advertising material for misrepresentation. Assists in reviewing orders of suspension, revocation, confinement, or "stop orders." Examines requests for restoration, suspension, renewal, or revocation of licenses. Checks for appropriate license, bond, certificate, or permit. Assists in drafting affidavits. Learns to obtain affidavits or sworn testimonies from complainants, witnesses, or principals in investigations or disputes. Delivers legal notices, subpoenas, and other legal documents. Records (takes) testimony from all affected parties. Assists in compiling materials for hearings, reviews, or other legal matters. Learns to obtain warrants for required inspection or administrative searches of premises. Arranges for transportation or accommodation of subpoenaed witnesses. Interviews individuals for needed information. Writes investigative reports. Learns to collect, catalog, and examine evidence obtained during the course of an investigation. 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 required to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the methods used to collect, analyze, appraise, and interpret data. Knowledge of report preparation methods. Ability to learn methods and procedures for conducting investigations. Ability to learn surveillance methods and procedures. Ability to learn to use surveillance devices, photographic, and video equipment. Ability to learn law enforcement procedures governing document alteration, forgery, theft, embezzlement, and fraud. Ability to learn to prepare documents for litigation. Ability to learn methods and techniques of covert investigation. Ability to learn the methods and techniques of regulatory analysis. Ability to learn the techniques of investigative reporting. Ability to learn to prepare affidavits or sworn testimonies. Ability to learn the use of electronic communication equipment and database software utilized during the course of an investigation. Ability to learn to conduct background checks. Ability to learn to prepare final case disposition of field investigations. Ability to learn the procedures governing rules of evidence. Ability to learn civil and regulatory investigative terminology. Ability to read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to learn to evaluate the reliability and credibility of witnesses' oral or written statements. Ability to learn 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, 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 On the successful completion of the 12-month training period, appointees will be eligible for advancement to the title Investigator 1, Law and Public Safety in accord with Civil Service Commission procedures The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered cause of separation.
Note
The definition for this title and the examples of work and knowledge, skills, and abilities are for illustrative purposes only. Any one position may not include all of the tasks and KSAs listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties and KSAs which may be required. 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 in the conduct of civil or criminal investigations related to compliance, enforcement, detection, and surveillance activity, including the preparation of investigative reports. OR Four (4) years of professional experience in the conduct of investigative administrative audits and/or regulatory examinations of records maintained by businesses and organizations. OR Four (4) years of professional experience in the conduct of investigations for the government, the military, consumer protection programs, public advocacy organizations, or the public interest. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Completion of a supervised internship field placement of 300 hours in an undergraduate curriculum in Criminal Justice or a related degree program may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience. "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.