FIELD INVESTIGATOR 3, DIVISION OF WAGE AND HOUR COMPLIANCE

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 the general supervision of a District Supervisor, Wage and Hour Division and Contract Compliance or other supervisory official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, may take the lead, and does the field and office work involved in making the more complex and difficult investigations, preparing legal and other reports relating to observance and administration of the sections of the public statutes for which the division is responsible; represents the office in legal matters involving the enforcement of the applicable laws; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Conducts the more complex and difficult investigations of employers to ensure compliance with laws which provide for proper payment and prescribed conditions of employment. Informs employers/employees of the requirements of applicable laws administered by the Office of Wage and Hour Division and Contract Compliance. Visits places of employment and makes preliminary/routine/follow-up examinations of personnel records, payroll and time records, registers, and other records subject to the provisions of the law. Conducts surveillance of targeted employers and assemble data for the application of strategic enforcement initiatives. May serve as a team leader in strategic enforcement initiatives. Analyzes employer accounts and records, cash disbursements, general ledgers, invoices as well as related information such as union contracts to identify employers' methods of payment to employees in those instances where complicated issues are involved; identifies inconsistencies or violations of the statutes enforced by the Division. Reviews reports prepared by field investigators, interview statements, and evidence collected to ensure completeness. 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 parties and stakeholders. Consults with employers and accountants who request assistance in developing a system of record keeping complying with laws and regulations administered by the Office of Wage and Hour Compliance. Assists in conducting informal conferences with employers to resolve issues revealed during investigations, such conferences may involve negotiation with the employer regarding future compliance and on the number of back wages to be paid to employees. Performs the more complex work in re-computing amounts due to employees, using information from various employer records which may include automated record keeping systems. Analyzes employer's compensation of employees with disabilities in those instances in which the employee is to be paid below the minimum wage. Assists municipal and/or county prosecutors with cases for prosecution, provides advice and technical guidance on all Wage and Hour Laws or other laws for which the office is responsible. Drafts and prepares subpoenas for services or those employers in violation of the law. Takes the lead in organizing the Stop Work Orders. Reviews assigned complaints and appears as a witness before departmental hearings and other courts or appropriate jurisdictions, and may serve summonses, complaint papers, and subpoenas prepares cases and assembles evidence for use in prosecution. Takes interview statements of employees, employers, witnesses, and other persons when necessary. May be required to assist the District Supervisor. Conducts joint investigations with other government agencies. Travels within a designated geographic area of the State. Prepares detailed reports of inspections, investigations and matters concerning relevant investigation information and correspondence. May take the lead over field staff and train new personnel when required. If assigned to the Agricultural Standards Section also does the following: Coordinates and provides functional oversight over inspection of seasonal agricultural worker camps and tenant housing for adequacy, safety, and sanitation and to ensure the laws that regulate the registration and operations of crew leaders are enforced. Evaluates evidence concerning violations of the New Jersey Crew Leader Registration Act and other statutes applicable to migrant and seasonal farmworkers, conducts informal interviews with employers concerning violations investigations and inspections. Participates in planning and carrying out joint inspections and/or solving problems with internal units and external agencies. As required, under the Crew Leader Registration Act and other statues applicable to migrant and seasonal farmworkers, prepares cases for administrative hearings and municipal or higher courts; assembles evidence for use in prosecution; appears for the State as a witness in cases being prosecuted. Periodically reviews methods and procedures used by the field investigators and makes recommendations for changes which will improve staff effectiveness and efficiency. Provides technical assistance to migrant labor workers, crew leaders, referral agencies and growers concerning complaints and their resolution. 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 including the Wage and Hour, Wage Payment, Wage Collection, Discrimination in Wages because of Sex and Prevailing Wages on Public Contracts Laws, provision of the child labor law, and the laws regulating Mercantile Establishments as well as other applicable laws covering wages and conditions of employment enforced by the Wage and Hour Division. Knowledge of the Federal and State regulations regarding the sanitation, water supply, housing, and general safety measures required in seasonal agricultural worker camps and tenant housing. Knowledge of the Federal and State laws which relate to the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of resident facilities for migrant workers and their families and those related to the health, welfare, and safety of workers. Knowledge of field investigations and inspections involved in the administration of the New Jersey Wage and Hour laws and related statutes. Knowledge of the methods used to conduct investigations, gather and analyze information. Knowledge of various payroll recordkeeping systems used by employers. Knowledge of oversight required in camps/dwellings/dormitories established for seasonal farm workers and their families. Knowledge of the customs of various ethnic and cultural groups. Knowledge of the types of occupations prohibited for children by provisions of NJ law. Ability to interpret and apply New Jersey laws and related Federal statutes pertaining to wages and hours including the Wage and Hour, Wage Payment, Wage Collection, Discrimination in Wages because of Sex and Prevailing Wages on Public Contracts Laws, provision of the child labor law, and the laws regulating Mercantile Establishments as well as other applicable laws covering wages and conditions of employment. Ability to interpret and apply the Federal and State regulations regarding the sanitation, water supply, housing, and general safety measures required in seasonal agricultural worker camps and tenant housing. Ability to interpret and apply Federal and State laws which relate to the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of resident facilities for migrant workers and their families and those related to the health, welfare, and safety of workers. Ability to analyze and interpret union bargaining agreements. Ability to properly conduct complex computations involving back wages and explain the rationale. Ability to analyze and interpret complex computer payroll systems. Ability to train, provide guidance and instruction to entry level staff. Ability to take the lead over lower-level staff. Ability to properly conduct complex field investigations and inspections involved in the administration of the New Jersey Wage and Hour laws and related statutes. Ability to speak with the representatives of school, health, and welfare agencies when problems arise concerning the employment of minors. Ability to participate in the preparation of cases for court action and to serve subpoenas, summons, and injunctions. Ability to draft correspondence and prepare high quality reports. 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 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. : - 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. 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. Seven (7) 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 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. SCNE25N/AP25-Bilingual In Chinese And EnglishSCNE25N/AP25-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishSCNE25N/AP25- 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