Lead Investigator (Applicant)

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, The Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and savings options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment.

Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits

This position is located in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Professional Development Bureau (PDB), Recruiting Division. This position serves as a Lead Investigator of a team of investigators conducting pre-employment investigations and background checks.

This Lead Investigator (Applicant) position is covered under the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) bargaining unit and you may be required to pay an agency fee through direct payroll deductions.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

As a team leader, the incumbent:

• Leads the development, execution and coordination of pre-employment strategies and initiatives.
  
• Leads the team in conducting pre-employment investigations and background checks.
  
• Provides advice/guidance on implementation of pre-employment investigation policies and procedures.
  
• Coaches the team in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques.
  
• Articulates and communicates to the team the assignment, project, problem(s) to be solved, actionable events, milestones, program issues under review, and/or deadlines/time frames for completion.

As an Investigator (Applicant), the incumbent:

• Establishes the background investigation folder and/or makes sure that the folder is labeled with the correct name and other identifying information and that the file contains the proper forms.
• Notifies the supervisor of any case where it is not appropriate for the investigator to conduct the investigation.
• Reviews the employment application to familiarize him/herself with the case and to extract information relevant to contacting the applicant and to determining the suitability of the applicant.
• Reviews internal Recruiting Division files to determine if the applicant has previously applied for a position with the Department.
• Develops a work plan for the investigation of the case; contacts the applicant by telephone or by mail to determine if the applicant still wishes to be considered for the position and schedule the applicant for and individual or group orientation/data collection meeting.
• Advises the applicant of the documents that are to be provided for the background investigation.
• Conducts group or individual orientation sessions to explain the conditions of employment and the screening process.
• Processes the background folder of the applicant who wishes to decline or defer processing for appointment to the position.
• Ensures that the applicant knows how to contact the investigator or another representative of the Branch; and ensures that the required documents are submitted by the applicant. Coordinates the “conditional offer of employment”.
• Conducts criminal records checks; obtains credit history checks; conducts employment history and military service checks; conducts reference checks; conducts neighborhood checks; and compiles the records and data in the background folder.
• Conducts interviews with employers, supervisors, co-workers, relatives, neighbors, friends and associates, members of other law enforcement agencies and others who may be able to furnish information concerning the suitability of an applicant for employment, attempts to corroborate, refute or reconcile the information obtained from the various sources; takes notes and documents the interviews.
• Coordinates the scheduling of the medical and psychological examinations; ensures the required documents and reports obtained for the background folder are in place.
• Writes narrative employment suitability investigative reports.
• Manages caseloads and frequently takes inventory of cases.
• Travels outside the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area in order to collect investigative data with the prior approval of the Commander.
• Recruiting Division; follows department procedures for documenting travel expenditures.
• Attends inside and outside training in order to maintain and develop new skills; keeps informed of employment suitability investigative strategies and techniques by reading outside investigative materials on one’s own.
• Operates a computer in order to retrieve, analyze, and use data related to investigative activities; prepares narrative and statistical material using a computer.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Expert knowledge of and skill in applying investigative interviewing techniques, methods, theories, concepts, practices, and standards.
• Knowledge of the policies, rules and regulations of the Police Department relevant to carrying out work assignments.
• Knowledge of the employment processes governing the positions for which employment suitability investigations are being conducted.
• Knowledge of the District of Columbia and Federal laws, rules and regulations governing employment suitability investigations.
• Knowledge of criminal offenses and the type of offense (i.e., felony, misdemeanor, statutory misdemeanor, etc.) in accordance with District of Columbia requirements.
• Ability to lead and provide guidance and internal training to employees and support to the supervisor.
• Knowledge of court terminology and of the judgments issued by a court (i.e., stet document, probation before judgment, etc.).
• Knowledge of reporting, record-keeping and case documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of the geography of Washington, D.C. and the Metropolitan Area.
• Ability to keep up to date of current literature and sources of information in the field of investigation.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team in a workplace and interpersonal skills is required to work effectively with staff, external agencies, and the public.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills sufficient to prepare and present pertinent information and research involving complex policies and initiatives, and knowledge of and skill in communication and public relations techniques sufficient to effectively represent the division at meetings and consultation with managers, employee groups and special interest groups concerning investigation objectives and issues.
• Demonstrated skill and ability to use a PC and software packages (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, etc.), and software applicable to various reporting systems.
• Ability to establish new standards and assists with identifying training needs and resource requirements for the division; and ability to initiate, formulate, and plan.
• Ability to listen to, understand and respond to information in on-on-one and group situations.
• Ability to treat persons of many cultures and of all levels of society courteously and with dignity and respect.
• Ability to work effectively with others inside and outside the police department.
• Ability to elicit detailed, in-depth information relevant to investigative goals.

Licensures, Certifications and other requirements

The employee is required to possess and maintain a valid District of Columbia driver’s license or it’s state equivalent.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Work Experience:

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CS-12 grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from public or private sector.

Examples of specialized experience for this position include: experience conducting interviews and background checks for pre-employment selections; obtaining and reporting factual information for background investigations that determine employment suitability; and finalizing pre-employment casework according to applicable rules and regulations.

Work Environment:

The work is performed in an office environment. In the course of an investigation, the incumbent visits places of employment, other criminal justice agencies and other sites.

Other Significant Factors:

Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential

A background investigation, to include a criminal, traffic and credit check are required for positions with the Metropolitan Police Department.

This position is deemed as “Security Sensitive” pursuant to Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening and criminal background check (pre-employment and periodic), individuals may be subject to the following checks and tests:

a. Traffic record check (as applicable);
b. Pre-employment drug and alcohol test (as applicable);
c. Consumer credit check (as applicable);
d. Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
e. Random drug and alcohol test;
f. Return to duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test; and
g. Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit.

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.

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