INVESTIGATOR 3 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE/DISABILITY INSURANCE
Career Family: INVESTIGATOR
Investigator 3 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 $77,144 to $113,264.
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.
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 55th 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.
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 direction of a Supervisory Official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development supervises a unit of investigators and provide guidance and instruction to investigative staff; may independently conduct sensitive, and complex investigations involving noncompliance with state statues and regulatory requirements such as temporary wage replacement insurance, tax matters or other matters related to fraud or illegal activities involving income security; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Investigates and/or supervise investigations concerning allegations of fraud and overpayments in any of the benefit programs administered in Income Security or any sources used to fund these benefit programs. Investigates and/or supervise the investigation of cases involving fraud or non-fraud overpayments. Provides guidance to lower level and/or subordinate staff in the preparation and investigation of cases. As required personally conducts investigations of substantial complexity or sensitivity. Organize work assignments and provides instructions. Guides and assists staff in the development of work methods of investigation to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. Participates in complex and major phases of investigations and directs the course of an investigation. Supervise the scheduling and conduct of pre-determination hearings with claimants to determine whether benefits should be suspended. Make determinations, supervise and/or review determinations of fraud, and impose sanctions, including fines and disqualifications, as provided by statute, on claims for benefits under Income Security. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential files and records. Coordinates investigative activities to secure, preserve, and record evidence. Instructs investigative team members in interviewing witnesses to obtain highly confidential, accurate, and comprehensive supporting documentation relative to alleged violations by individual(s) or organization(s). Supervise work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Conducts surveillance at all hours to establish patterns of conduct and detect violations of law. Uses cameras, radios and other investigative equipment and analyze the information gathered through their use. Supervise or prepares monthly reports for activities within assigned areas of responsibility. Examines and analyzes reports of investigations filed by subordinate investigators and prepare summaries containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Such examinations may be to determine the completeness, accuracy of fact and conformity to all procedures. Analyzes reports and compiles summaries with pertinent recommendations concerning improvement of operations on matters related to the investigation of benefit fraud. Reviews reports and supporting documentation of violations of rules and relations and provides testimony at contested case hearings. Prepares reports of investigational activities containing findings, onclusions, and recommendations, and notifies appropriate agencies. Analyze data/reports to identify instances of potential Fraud, formulate recommendations to improve systems to prevent fraud and overpayments, and develop better reports. Reviews criminal history record information from verifiable sources and performs follow-up investigations to determine the employment eligibility of applicants and existing employees. Acts as a witness and testifies for the state before grand juries, courts of law, administrative hearings, or other judicial bodies on fraud and non-fraud matters in Income Security. Conducts research, analysis, and data gathering in connection with complaints, violations, and any other data relevant to alleged noncompliance. Prepares correspondence. Trains staff personnel. Supervises and/or processes the establishment and recovery of all benefit overpayments for wage replacement. 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). Supervises and/or responsible for all collection efforts related to overpayments established by the unit. This includes oversight and supervision for the preparation of reports necessary to measure and document results to record unit performance in accordance with state and federal requirements. Supervises and/or responsible for bankruptcy and garnishment cases related to benefit programs. Supervises and/or responsible for the receipt, recording and depositing of all monies received for repayment of benefits that had been overpaid. Supervises and/or processes the 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. Supervises and/or supports and coordinates all matters related to representing the unit in all appeal hearings related to refunds established by the unit. Prepares and/or supervise the preparation of legal documents. Participates in the execution or serving of legal documents such as warrants, subpoenas, orders and notices. Conducts formal and informal conferences on regulatory matters with public officials, industry employees, and representatives, and the public to resolve and eliminate the cause of valid complaints. Takes the lead of a team monitoring compliance of joint agency controlled activities and instituting enforcement action on any violations noted. Acts as principal liaison with state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and other state departments in matters of mutual interest. Coordinates investigations with the Deputy Attorney General assigned to present cases in court. 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.
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 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 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 legal documents such as subpoenas, affidavits, and search warrants and the procedures for requesting, obtaining and executing them. Knowledge of legal terminology used in course of investigative work. Knowledge of the types of information needed to prepare cases for hearing or trial. Knowledge of the methods to research and obtain background data. Ability to understand and apply the New Jersey statutes, laws, regulations, standards and policies governing the procedures for regulatory control and compliance with civil, administrative, criminal and institutional abuse/neglect. Ability to train employees in investigative techniques and procedures. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, and organize work within the unit. Ability to provide guidance and instruction to investigative staff and review their work performance. Ability to understand and apply relevant statues and legal standards to determine what types of offenses or crimes would disqualify applicants from employment. Ability to gather and analyze information from investigations. Ability to interview witnesses and take proper statements from them to introduce into evidence. Ability to gather and preserve evidence to introduce in court proceedings. Ability to act as a witness in court or at formal hearings and provide testimony under oath. Ability to determine and evaluate situations which require photographs and/or radios. Ability to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to conduct interviews and investigations. Ability to obtain and review reports of police and other law enforcement agencies. 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, or communicate in English sufficient to perform the duties of the 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. 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 office and/or field experience in adjudicating, analyzing and/or investigating wage replacement insurance claims 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 three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in public administration, business administration, social work, or criminal justice; 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.