Investigative Specialist 1, Box OEP-208/21670

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Higher Education is seeking candidates an Investigative Specialist 1 position in the Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA). This Office is responsible for investigating complaints concerning allegations about the moral character of individuals who hold or are applicants for NYS teaching certificates. OSPRA provides administrative support for due process hearings for tenured teachers pursuant to Education Law, Section 3020. OSPRA is also responsible for determining whether employment clearances for school district officials should be issued based upon fingerprint supported criminal history background checks. Duties of these positions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and evaluate moral character complaints and interview complainants, school officials, subjects and witnesses;• Correspond with applicants, school districts, members of the public, courts, police departments and other law enforcement entities regarding fingerprinting and case investigations;• Maintain a working relationship with all law enforcement agencies and secure court records relating to fingerprinting and case investigations;• Collect, review and evaluate evidence, including criminal history records;
• Participate in case and witness preparation and testify at administrative hearings;• Review, interpret and summarize New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background records;• Review criminal history responses in relation to clearance determinations for fingerprinting and case investigations;• Complete clearance and/or denial recommendations in accordance with NYS Correction Law standards; and• Write investigative reports and maintain and update TEACH and database records.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy.

Minimum Qualifications

Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent non-competitive service as an Investigative Specialist 1.Non-Competitive Appointment: This title includes a traineeship opportunity, and applicants will be appointed to the appropriate level based on their experience and education as follows: Investigative Specialist 1 appointment level requirements:

• Investigative Specialist Trainee 1, NS (equated to SG-14): four years of investigative experience* OR an associate degree and two years of investigative experience* OR a bachelor’s degree or higher• Investigative Specialist Trainee 2 (equated to SG-16): five years of investigative experience* OR an associate degree and three years of investigative experience* OR a bachelor’s degree or higher and one year of investigative experience*.
• Investigative Specialist 1, SG-18: six years of qualifying experience OR an associate’s degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, or homeland security AND four years of qualifying experience;OR a bachelor’s or higher degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, or homeland security AND two years of qualifying experience.*Investigative Experience is defined as gathering and securing information and evidence from a variety of sources through independent, non-structured activities including the preparation and submission of detailed narrative reports describing the method of gathering the evidence and the results of the investigations.

Experience in auditing, interviewing, building security surveillance, traffic enforcement, or performing routine inspections or surveys will NOT be considered investigative experience.Qualifying Experience: Experience in a field investigative position conducting interviews of witnesses and others, taking written statements and affidavits, collecting and analyzing physical and documentary evidence, and preparing detailed written reports of investigative findings.Types of Investigative experience that could be considered qualifying: Experience in such positions as police detective, insurance investigator, licensed and registered private investigator, federal investigator, state investigator, municipal investigator, child protective services investigator, in an investigative position involving trial preparations and detailed reports, and investigations within a branch of the Armed Services are examples which meet the Minimum Qualifications.Examples of Non-Qualifying Investigative