FIELD INVESTIGATOR 2, DIVISION OF WAGE AND HOUR COMPLIANCE
Bilingual In Chinese And English
Career Family: FIELD INVESTIGATOR
Field Investigator 2, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
On the Field Investigator ladder it falls between Field Investigator 1, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance and Field Investigator 3, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance. You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $67,312 to $98,503, and state payroll currently lists about 13 people in the title, most of them at Labor.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Field Investigator series
- Field Investigator 1, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance — $61,510 – $89,810
- Field Investigator 2, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance — $67,312 – $98,503 (this title)
- Field Investigator 3, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance — $77,144 – $113,264
Promoting to Field Investigator 3, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance raises the top of the band by about $14,761. Its top salary lands around the 42nd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 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 13 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $73,550. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (13)
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 the limited supervision of a District Supervisor, Wage and Hour Division and Contract Compliance or other supervisory official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, performs the field and office work involved to conduct investigations and prepares reports regarding administration of the sections of the public statutes for which the division is responsible; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Makes the necessary contacts with and informs employers/employees of the requirements of applicable laws administered by the Office of Wage and Hour Compliance. Visits places of employment and makes preliminary/routine/follow-up examinations of personnel records, payroll and time records, registers, and other records which are subject to the provision of the law. May conduct surveillance of targeted employers and assemble data necessary for the application of strategic enforcement initiatives. Interviews employers, employees, and others, including minors who may have knowledge relevant to investigations conducted in which violations of the law are suspected or alleged. Takes interview statements, affidavits, and other information/evidence needed from employees, employers, witnesses to resolve questions concerning possible violations of applicable laws. Assembles materials and data for analysis, computations, and reports concerning wages and salaries paid by individual firms. Conducts meetings and/or conferences with employer representatives, attorneys, accountants, other enforcement agencies, representatives of schools, health and social welfare agencies, unions, and employer groups, and other interested stakeholders. May conduct or assist with presentations or outreach events. Interprets basic law and regulations and provides explanation to employers, employees, their representatives or other interested parties. Reviews assigned complaints and appears as a witness before departmental hearings and other courts of appropriate jurisdiction, and may serves summons, complaint papers, and subpoenas. Prepares detailed reports of inspections, investigations and matters concerning relevant investigative information. Maintains investigation records and files. Conducts inspections of agricultural employers, visit camps and tenant housing occupied by seasonal agricultural/industrial workers, inspects housing and sanitary conditions and inspects areas near camps and tenant dwellings with respect to sanitary and other conditions. Explains provisions of the NJ Crew Leader Registration Act and other statutes to camp owners and operators, farmers, and others, and checks the registration of camp occupants and the kind of supervision provided. May assist in the crew leader application process. May provide guidance and assistance to field staff and others involved in the work of the unit. May assist in the training of lower-level field investigators. Investigates the enforcement of the Crew Leader Registration Act. Reports violation of the law in accordance with department regulations. Will be required to learn how 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 New Jersey laws and related Federal statutes pertaining to wages and hours and of the specific provisions of the Wage and Hour Law, Child Labor Law, Crew Leader Registration Act, Earn Sick Leave Law, Prevailing Wage Act, Contractor Registration Act and other applicable laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division. Knowledge of the methods used to conduct inspections of places of employment, and examine personnel records, employment records, payroll/time books, registers, and other documents to determine compliance with law. Knowledge of the methods used to conduct investigations, and to collect and analyze data. Knowledge of local community public/voluntary agencies concerned with the civic, health, welfare, and education of residents. Knowledge of laws and regulations of other DOL divisions that have direct bearing on the enforcement of Wage and Hour laws. Knowledge of rural seasonal agricultural workers' problems pertaining to sanitation, water supply, housing, field sanitation, pay, working conditions and safety. Knowledge of oversight required in camps/dwellings/dormitories established for seasonal farm workers and their families. Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data and calculate any back wages that may be due. Knowledge of the types of occupations prohibited for children by provisions of NJ law. Knowledge of the customs of various ethnic and cultural groups. Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply basic law and regulations impacting the Division's operations. Ability to organize field investigative work, analyze problems arising therein, and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to conduct inspections of places of employment, and examine personnel records, employment records, payroll/time books, registers, and other documents to determine compliance with law. Ability to conduct interviews with individuals of different backgrounds and obtain information needed for cases where violations of the law are suspected. Ability to serve summonses and/or subpoenas and take interview statements of employees, witnesses, and other persons. Ability to speak with representatives of school, health, and social agencies when problems arise concerning the employment of minors. Ability to explain the provisions of the law to employers, trade union representatives, and other internal and external stakeholder. Ability to gather and analyze data concerning wages and hours for statistical presentation. Ability to prepare reports and maintain records and files. Ability to learn how 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 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 if they can perform the 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. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A 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. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL: Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. - Bilingual in Chinese and English SPECIAL SKILL: Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Chinese and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. 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 experience in identifying and investigating violations in a field of specific regulatory conditions, interpreting and applying these regulations and making recommendations based on findings. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) 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. SCNE22N/AP22-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishSCNE22N/AP22-Bilingual In Chinese And EnglishSCNE22N/AP22- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 4/20/2024
Study guides for this exam
- Field Investigator National Learning Corporation · $39.95
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.