Legal Investigator (Sheriff)

Class Summary
This position is responsible for collecting background data to validate applicants for employment and contractors’ credentials and ability to work inside the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office facility. The Legal Investigator is part of the Human Resources Department, serves under the direction of the Lead Investigator (Supervisor), and works with a team of other investigators to ensure that candidates and volunteers are properly vetted to enter and work in the facility.
 

Representative Work Functions and Responsibilities
This position is considered confidential because it involves access to personal information and processes employment, volunteer, and contractor applications to determine whether applicants are qualified and cleared to work and/or access the facility's secure areas by conducting pre-employment and volunteer/contract-worker background investigations.
 

Performance Standards
This position is a full-time civilian role; investigators are not sworn law enforcement officers or Sheriff Deputies.  They have no arrest powers except those granted to any citizen of the Commonwealth.  The investigator conducts investigations as directed by the Sheriff or the Sheriff's designee.  In addition to the aforementioned, this position entails the following:
 

• Conduct pre-employment background investigations and process applications for sworn, civilian, volunteer, and contract workers; notarize documents; fingerprint applicants; and perform fit tests for applicants and sworn appointees, as needed. Conduct pre-interviews for civilian applicants and pre-test background checks (Criminal/DMV/credit) for sworn applicants.

• Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge, and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on current workloads and departmental needs.
   

Minimum Qualifications
Educational requirements include any combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma; knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the field, such as those required for an investigator role; and prior law enforcement experience in criminal investigations, preferred but not required. The appropriate certification (level “A” or level “B”) as a VCIN/NCIC operator must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained continuously throughout employment in this classification.
 

Must have or obtain a current and valid driver’s license from Virginia or North Carolina in accordance with the DMV driver’s license eligibility requirements of either state.
 

Special Requirements
Must be willing and able to travel by automobile as needed as part of the background screening and vetting process.
Must be able to work on cases simultaneously.
Must be able to communicate professionally and appropriately by phone.
Must have strong report-writing skills and a command of the English language.
Most possess knowledge of state and local laws and ordinances or demonstrate the ability to learn and maintain the applicable laws required to perform the job duties.
All appointees may be expected to work hours beyond their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term departmental needs and/or citywide emergencies.
 

Knowledge-Skills-Abilities Required to Perform Satisfactorily
A.        Knowledge
              1.         General knowledge of the practices of modern investigative techniques, including but not limited to laws of arrest, laws of interrogation, case file preparation, proper recovery and handling of evidence.
               2.          General knowledge of the security, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office.
             3.          Knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, etc., and be willing to learn how to access and operate software tools specifically used by the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office.
               4.          Basic knowledge of the recruitment process.
               5.          Must possess the knowledge and ability to prepare records and reports necessary to support background investigation results.
 

B.        Skills
                1.            Must be skilled in time management and be able to prioritize and balance workload.
                2.            Must be able to work independently.

C.        Abilities
                1.         Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions with minimal guidance from others.
                2.         Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
                3.         Ability to prepare detailed reports and case summaries in writing.
                4.         Ability to work efficiently and plan own work assignments and schedule to meet long-term goals and objectives.
                5.          Ability to research documents and effectively communicate findings.
                6.          Ability to perform data entry or maintain handwritten records.
                7.           Ability to perform tasks requires the incumbent to sit or stand for extended periods throughout the workday.
                8.           Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, supervisor, subordinates, and co-workers.
                9.           Ability to learn, maintain, and execute procedures or steps necessary and fulfill routine tasks.
              10.          Ability to maintain flexibility and incorporate changes to policies and procedures into routine job tasks.
              11.          Ability to focus on routine tasks without distraction and complete them within the expected time frame without compromising accuracy.
              12.          Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations and to respond appropriately to issues as they arise.
 

“The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.”

Salary : $54,309