INVESTIGATOR 1 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE/DISABILITY INSURANCE
Career Family: INVESTIGATOR
Investigator 1 Unemployment Insurance/Disability Insurance 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.
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 $58,818 to $85,742, and state payroll currently lists about 28 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: Investigator series
- Investigator 1 — $61,510 – $89,810
- Investigator 2 — $70,431 – $103,187
- Investigator 3 — $80,756 – $118,678
- Investigator 4 Law and Publc Safety — $80,756 – $118,678
Its top salary lands around the 27th 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 28 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $66,895. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (28)
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 supervision of a Supervisory official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, conducts office and/or field investigations of suspected fraudulent wage replacement claims and Department tax matters involving alleged noncompliance with state statutes and regulatory requirements; does other related duties. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The INVESTGATOR 1 UI/DI level is designed to address routine wage replacement benefit conflicts that are handled within the department. These are administrative cases.
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 procedures and techniques used to conduct investigations and interviews. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, procedures and techniques used to conduct investigations. Knowledge of Income Security operating systems for benefit programs or supporting benefit programs and the ability to use that information when reviewing various fraud reports used to determine overpayments and/or fraudulent activity. Knowledge of the methods involved in reviewing and analyzing overpayments of Income Security benefits. Knowledge of the types of conditions that would constitute an overpayment and the factors that are considered in determining a fraud or non-fraud overpayment under the statutes, regulations and policy of the governing benefit program. Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to establish claims for benefits based on fictitious employment in order to identify any such scheme that may be encountered. Knowledge of the methods and techniques used internally to defraud the agency, in order to identify any such scheme that may be encountered. Knowledge various fraud reports used to identify fraudulent activity. Knowledge of various cross-matches used to determine overpayments. Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to collect and preserve evidence. Knowledge, in cases which are contested in the courts, or which are involved in grand jury presentment, of the problems encountered in acting as a witness, in presenting testimony, and of the procedures useful in locating witnesses after a period of training. Knowledge of information gathering techniques, such as interviewing, surveillance or obtaining writing samples or written statements. Ability to organize investigative work in the office and to develop effective work methods. Ability to determine what constitutes an overpayment and the factors that are considered in determining a fraud or non-fraud overpayment under the statutes, regulations and policy of the governing benefit program. Ability to conduct, or participate as a member of a team in assigned office investigative duties. Ability to prepare reports of investigative activities. Ability to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to examine and audit employers' accounts and records, including payroll records, individual earning records, petty cash accounts, cash disbursements, and general ledgers in order to obtain or verify wage information and to detect wage-benefit conflicts. Ability to explain relatively complex matters related to claims for Income Security benefits and the supporting tax system in such a way as to be understood by claimants, employers, and other interested parties. Ability to carry out assignments independently and to determine course of action to be taken. Ability to prepare memoranda regarding claims investigation matters. Ability to manage correspondence dealing with claims for Income Security benefits. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and complete reports of investigations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and 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 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.
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. EXAMPLES OF WORK: Under direction, performs the work involved in investigating wage replacement benefit programs that are suspected of being fraudulent. Under direction, will conduct routine benefit fraud investigations using knowledge of tax information available in Income Security. Analyzes assigned investigations to determine the nature of the issue to be resolved, the type of information required, and to plan a method of investigation. Reviews information received on alleged violations involving any benefit programs in Income Security and takes appropriate action. Actions may include documenting the allegation, opening an investigation and conducting an investigation, referring the allegation for further action, making a determination that no further action is necessary. Prepares reports of investigational activities containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Schedules and conducts pre-determination hearings with claimants in benefit matters involving overpayments Determines fraud, and imposes sanctions, including fines and disqualifications, as provided by statute on claims for benefits under the Income Security System. Conducts and assists with reviews of cross-match reports to identify overpayments. Establishes refund liability when investigation results in the identification of overpayments. Secures written statements, affidavits, and other evidence needed to resolve questions concerning the eligibility of claimants. Prepares correspondence. 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. Participates in joint investigations with other agencies, or other law enforcement agencies. Maintains records and files relevant to investigatory matters in the administration of duties and assignments. Maintains confidentiality with investigations. Conducts investigations in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. Assists attorneys and investigators of the Division of Criminal Justice, and various county prosecutors in work required for preparing complaints, hearings, grand jury, or court action, and, when required, acts as a witness. As required, acts as a witness in court and at administrative hearings. Examines related records such as social security reports, federal income tax returns, state sales tax records, state income tax returns, contracts, franchise leases, bills of sale, articles of incorporation, corporate minutes, corporate charters, ownership agreements, utility records, federal, state, and local licensing documents, cancelled checks, check stubs, bills of lading, delivery receipts, purchase orders, and other documents to detect concealed employment, and resolve questions of claimant eligibility. Participates in the establishment and recovery of benefit overpayments for unemployment insurance, temporary disability insurance and family leave insurance. Recovery includes any manner through which repayments are recouped by the Department, including, but not limited to, payments from individuals and third parties, such as SOIL (Set-Off of Individual Liability) and TOPS (Treasury Offset Program). Participates in collection efforts related to overpayments established by the unit. This includes oversight for the preparation of reports necessary to measure and document results to record unit performance in accordance with state and federal requirements. Participates and performs work for bankruptcy and garnishment cases related to benefit programs. Participates in work related to the receipt, recording and depositing of all monies received for repayment of benefits that had been overpaid. Participates in the work processes for overpayment of benefits determined through investigation, to include the review and mailing of notices of overpayment and making necessary corrections to claims that have overpayments. Participates in the support and coordination of matters related to representing the unit in all appeal hearings related to refunds established by the unit. Maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units. 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. Five (5) years of professional office and/or field experience in adjudicating, analyzing and/or investigating wage replacement benefit programs or in the examination or investigation of tax liability for compliance with legal or regulatory requirements. Applicants who do not possess the required experience may substitute experience in law enforcement performing criminal follow-up investigations (not preliminary investigations) for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in public administration, business administration, social work, or criminal justice. "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.