County Detective - Auto Theft Task Force

Summary: This is investigative work at the full-performance level for the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. A position in this class conducts investigations for use in prosecuting criminal cases involving stolen motor vehicles and related offenses. Work includes conducting auto theft and auto theft-related investigations, interviewing suspects and witnesses, collecting evidence, conducting surveillance and making arrests. The auto theft detective position is multi-faceted. This position is responsible for filing criminal charges, apprehending suspects, and testifying in court as needed. This position reports directly to a Chief Criminal Investigator.

Essential Duties: Essential job duties for this position include the following items. Other duties must be performed as assigned or required.

• Thorough knowledge of criminal investigations goals and objectives, principles and practices.
• Knowledge of techniques and methods commonly employed in interviewing individuals who may be resistant and hostile to providing information.
• Knowledge of the judicial process, including the rules of procedure and evidence and shall keep current with the state of the law as it relates to auto theft investigations.
• Experience locating and recovering stolen vehicles, identifying vehicle theft trends, conducting chop shop investigations, identifying stolen vehicles that been disguised through VIN altering and/or title washing, fraudulent vehicle purchases, investigating carjackings.
• Ability to develop a comprehensive case from beginning to end while complying with all statutory and judicial restrictions in said investigation.
• Ability to apprehend and detain individuals, establish and maintain copious records, and prepare complete reports from the same.
• Ability to testify in any and all required court proceedings.
• Ability to cooperate and work well with others including municipal police departments, Pennsylvania State Police and federal agencies.

Education/Experience:

• Education equivalent to completion of two years of full-time study at the post high school level in criminal justice, law enforcement or a closely-related field.
• Two to four years investigative experience in a law enforcement, criminal justice or related organization.
• Or any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above
• Possession of Certification issued by the Municipal Police Officer Training Commission.
• Must possession Act 120 Certification issued by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission or Waiver Qualified Experience