Confidential Investigator - Special Investigations, L3 - 24731

Description:

Position Summary: The Confidential Investigator will have wide latitude for independent action and decision, in the performance of highly confidential and sensitive investigations into allegations of corruption, misconduct, and/or other illegal, unethical, or improper activity by NYC Department of Education (DOE) and vendor employees. The Confidential Investigator will be expected to: conduct victim, witness, and subject interviews; interact with union representatives; draft comprehensive reports of his/her findings; and testify, when necessary, at administrative hearings and/or trials. Performs related work.

Reports to: Associate Director and Assistant Director of the Office of Special Investigations

Direct Reports: N/A

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts complex and sensitive investigations.
• Prepares, reviews, evaluates, and/or refers allegations of misconduct.
• Conducts interviews of all relevant parties to a complaint, including, but not limited to: the complainant/victim, witnesses, students of varying ages, parents of students, subjects of the investigation, and Department of Education and vendor employees.
• Analyzes complaints of misconduct, develops investigative plans, conducts fact-finding, reviews documentation, conducts related research, prepares relevant correspondence, and submits comprehensive confidential investigative findings for legal review and approval.
• Makes recommendations as to the appropriate action to be taken prior to and following an investigation.
• Documents investigative activities and dispositions via the office’s database in a timely and comprehensive manner.
• Testifies at hearings, trials, and administrative proceedings.
• Interprets and accurately applies relevant rules, regulations, codes and policies.
• Interacts and communicates with Department of Education employees and the wider community, in person and via telephone, to intake and/or refer complaints of misconduct lodged against departmental employees and vendors.
• Advises DOE employees, including school administrators; parents; students; and community members as to the Department’s reporting requirements, and the Office of Special Investigation’s intake and investigative policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintains confidentiality of investigations and of the investigative process.
• Acts as a liaison to internal and external legal and law enforcement offices seeking investigative information and/or confidential files pertaining to DOE employees.
• Conducts data analyses to identify trends and/or patterns of misconduct within DOE schools and/or districts.
• Participates in internal and/or external trainings on the Office of Special Investigation’s complaint intake procedures, investigative protocols, DOE reporting requirements, and the disciplinary process.
• Assists with the organization and archiving of investigative files.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

• A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full time experience in an industrial or governmental agency in the field of investigation or as law enforcement officer conducting employee misconduct investigations, administrative investigations, or conducting criminal, special victims, and/or white collar crime investigations, or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, or education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

Plus

• Ability to complete comprehensive written reports detailing the results of each investigation.
• Ability to interview adults and students, including very young children and those with disabilities.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams and Zoom.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to Department of Education facilities throughout New York City.

Preferred

• Proficiency in PowerPoint and other widely used computer programs.
• Experience in/or working knowledge of the public sector and/or interest in public education.
• Strong strategic thinking, attention to detail, and ability to identify key issues.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage and track large amounts of case-related data, including digital data.
• Familiarity with evidentiary chain of custody protocols, to ensure that all evidence gathered during the course of investigations is preserved for possible criminal or administrative prosecution.

Salary: $75,865 - $83,452

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

* NewYorkCityResidency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the NewYorkCity tri-state area to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non- Discrimination Policy
The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.