Duties Summary

Conducts investigations of the most complex, confidential, and diverse civil/criminal cases being considered and/or readied for court action and prosecution; obtains additional information, evidence, and facts to clarify or substantiate findings of law enforcement agencies; and performs other related duties as required.
There is one (1) immediate temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 06/30/2025 with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney - Investigator's Unit in Hilo. May be eligible to receive a $3,000 Recruitment Incentive. Conditions apply.
(Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.)
The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Examples of Duties

• Investigates and re-investigates the most complex, confidential, and diverse cases being considered and/or readied for court action and prosecution.
• Researches laws and regulations; reviews precedent cases; conducts field investigations; obtains and analyzes additional, clarifying or substantiating information, evidence, and facts.
• Checks background of suspects and checks for career criminal classification, sentencing information and pardons.
• Secures, interviews, and interrogates witnesses; may be required to travel by car or plane to meet with witnesses; interviews and interrogates complainants, and suspects.
• Serves as armed escort for transporting prisoners or defendants from other jurisdictions; processes and serves legal papers; may arrest individuals served.
• Conducts highly confidential investigations for the Attorney General's Office involving suspected cases of fraud, malfeasance, etc.
• Coordinates investigations and works closely with the Hawai'i Police Department, military, and federal law enforcement agencies, and all levels of the court system.
• Investigates violations and complaints regarding local ordinances, codes, and regulations.
• Prepares reports on findings with recommendations.
• Assists in the preparation and presentation of cases before the grand jury and during trials, hearings, and other judicial proceedings.
• Prepares data, diagrams, photographs, audio recordings, computer presentation, and case materials for presentation in court.
• Testifies in court; produces and identifies physical evidence; recommends weight of evidence, reliability and credibility of witnesses.
• Gathers additional facts for the Board of Paroles and Pardons during mitigation hearings.
• Assists the Prosecuting Attorney and deputies in processing various legal instruments; assists with the preparation for negotiation with offenders and their counsel for settlement of cases.
• Determines action necessary to alleviate violations and deter recidivism.
• Acts as liaison between victim(s), witness(es), and the criminal justice agencies.
• Performs liaison activities between the agency and other local and/or federal agencies engaging in law enforcement activities.
• Maintains and operates firearms and other non-lethal weapons; may operate various types of specialized investigative equipment.
• Operates a vehicle for work-related travel.
• Maintains files of complaints, reports, and case tracking; monitors outstanding arrest warrants.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience:

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in social work, sociology, psychology, political science, administration of justice, public/business administration, or a related field (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• 21 years of age at time of filing, and
• three (3) years of criminal investigation experience* from either a county, state, federal, or military agency, and
• be qualified to carry and/or possess firearm or ammunition in accordance with state and federal laws, e.g., no misdemeanor or felony domestic violence convictions, and
• possession of a valid State of Hawai‘i driver's license (Class 3) or any other comparable driver’s license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.)

• Criminal investigation experience means having the experience in investigating statutory crimes, e.g. burglary, theft, or assault, from the initial report of the crime to its prosecution.

Note: Successful completion of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney’s firearm qualification program prior to the completion of probation.

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of: Investigational methods and techniques; the rules of evidence and laws of arrest; apprehension and arrest techniques; legal system, court procedures, legal instruments, and legal terminology; the jurisdiction and functions of the various law enforcement and governmental agencies and departments; interviewing methods and interrogation techniques; characteristics of human behavior and basic elements of criminal behavior; report writing; and the geographic, economic, social, and racial composition of the community.

Ability to: Interpret laws, rules, and regulations; conduct investigations on misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor, and felony crimes with minimal supervision, i.e., sex assaults, murder, burglaries, negligent homicides, drug offenses, harassment, etc. apply investigating principles and techniques, including the criminal rules of evidence and search and seizure laws; make sound observations, remember facts, and give testimony based thereon; gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and data; prepare clear and concise reports; qualify to use firearms; scrutinize behavior of individuals and situations; understand the psychology of human behavior; and maintain professionalism and deal effectively with the public, office staff, and representatives of governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Physical and Age Requirements: All persons applying for positions in this class shall be at least 21 years of age. Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

Supplemental Information

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• 
  an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
  • Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
  • Vision Plan
  • Dental Plan
  • Prescription Drug Plan

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.