INVESTIGATOR 3
Career Family: INVESTIGATOR
Investigator 3 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state or local civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It sits mid-series for Investigator, one step up from Investigator 2 and one below Investigator 4 Law and Publc Safety. It lists a master's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $77,144 to $113,264, and state payroll currently lists about 245 people in the title, most of them at Judiciary.
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
The Judiciary posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Banking & Insurance'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.
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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.
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Agency posting
Department of Health posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Children and Families posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Corrections'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Human Services'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.
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Agency posting
Department of the Treasury'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Environmental Protection posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Motor Vehicle Commission'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Community Affairs posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. 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 (this title)
- 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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 245 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $77,144. The agencies employing the most are:
- Judiciary (192)
- Banking and Insurance (13)
- Labor (12)
- Unknown (8)
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 general direction of a Supervisor of Investigations or other higher level supervisory official in a State department or agency, or local government agency, supervises a unit or team of subordinate investigators; may be required to conduct sensitive, complex investigations in the field or from the central office, involving alleged non-compliance with State statutes and regulatory requirements; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Supervises a team or unit of subordinate investigators in the performance of work relevant to allegations of fraud, negligence, misrepresentation, misconduct, or institutional abuse/neglect by public employees, industry representatives, licensed/certified professionals, authorized vendors, or out-of-home caretakers. Performs investigative work involving the more complex and sensitive cases. Supervises the review of criminal history record information from verifiable sources and performance of follow-up investigations to determine the employment eligibility of applicants and existing employees. Organizes work assignments of subordinates and provides instructions. Develops and implements work methods of investigation to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. Acts as a witness and testifies for the State before grand juries, courts of law, administrative hearings, or other judicial bodies. Maintains the confidentiality of investigations. Examines and analyzes reports of investigations filed by subordinate investigators. Supervises the conduct of research, analysis, and data gathering in connection with complaints, violations, and any other data relevant to alleged non-compliance. Prepares detailed correspondence. Trains or assigns training of new investigators. Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of legal documents. Participates in the execution or serving of legal documents such as administrative warrants, subpoenas, orders and notices. Supervises investigative activities to secure, preserve, and record evidence. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. 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. Reviews reports and supporting documentation of violations of rules and relations and provides testimony at contested case hearings. Supervises 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. May conduct surveillance at all hours to establish patterns of conduct and detect violations of law. Utilizes cameras, radios, and other investigative equipment and analyzes the information gathered through their use. Supervises and 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). Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of investigational activities containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and notifies appropriate agencies. Maintains and/or supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. 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
Appointees 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 the types of conduct that would legally constitute negligence, abuse/neglect, or willful misconduct under the regulatory enforcement of the assigned department. Knowledge of legal documents such as subpoenas, affidavits, and search warrants and the procedures for requesting, obtaining, and executing them. Knowledge of the legal terminology used in investigative work. Knowledge of the types of information needed to prepare cases for hearing or trial. Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used to conduct investigations and interviews. Knowledge of techniques used to review contracts, deeds, sales agreements, guarantees, warranties, and advertising material to determine rights of complainants and seek evidence of misrepresentation. Knowledge of the methods used to research and obtain background data. Ability to confer with and interact with the general public and representatives of other governmental agencies. 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 provide guidance and instruction to investigative staff and supervise the performance of their work. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to understand and apply relevant statues and legal standards to determine what types of offenses or crimes would disqualify applicants or employees 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 provide testimony under oath in administrative hearings, State and federal courts, or other judicial bodies. Ability to determine and evaluate situations which require photographs and/or radios. Ability to maintain and/or supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. Ability to prepare detailed correspondence. Ability to obtain and review reports of police and other law enforcement agencies. Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of investigational activities containing facts, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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 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 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.
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 professional field experience conducting investigations, collecting evidence, and preparing investigative reports related to criminal, civil, or regulatory matters involving fraud, misrepresentation, or other acts of criminal or civil misconduct; or as a police officer performing criminal follow-up investigations (not preliminary investigations). 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.