Requisition No: 827649 

Agency: Financial Services

Working Title: LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATOR II - 43001543

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 43001543 

Salary: $52,500.00 - $58,000.08 

Posting Closing Date: 05/07/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

*****OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY*****

DIVISION: INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC SERVICES

BUREAU: INSURANCE FRAUD

CITY: PENSACOLA

COUNTY: ESCAMBIA

SPECIAL NOTES:

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

THIS POSITION IS A POOL ANNOUNCEMENT.

MULTIPLE POSITIONS MAY BE HIRED FROM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services encompasses all law enforcement and forensic components residing within the Department of Financial Services. With this broad responsibility, the division investigates a wide range of fraudulent and criminal acts including:

• Insurance Fraud Investigations
• Workers' Compensation Fraud Investigations
• Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations
• Theft/Misuse of State Funds
• Fire and Explosives Sample Analysis

Mission Statement

Serving and safeguarding the public and businesses operating in the State of Florida against acts of fraud, arson, and the misuse of state funds.

Available links to the Agency and Division:

• MyFloridaCFO
• Division of Investigative and Forensic Services

SPECIAL NOTES:

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, SUBMIT A STATE OF FLORIDA EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ONLINE IN PEOPLE FIRST AND EMAIL IN A SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW. THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/difs/career-opportunities

Email Address: hiringdifs@myfloridacfo.com

Job Line Phone number: (850) 413-4063

This supplemental application MUST be received no later than five (5) business days after the closing date of this advertisement in order to be considered for this position.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or its equivalent
• ACTIVE Florida Law Enforcement Compliance/Certification of Equivalency of Training from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
• VALID Driver’s License from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Preference:

• A degree from an accredited college or university.

Law Enforcement Investigator II requirement:

• Three (3) or more years of sworn law enforcement experience.
  • Applicants that have less than three (3) years of sworn law enforcement experience may be considered as a Law Enforcement Investigator I, depending upon the agency needs.
  • College education can be substituted at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours per year for a maximum of one (1) year required experience.

NOTE: Correctional Officer and Correction Probational Officer Certifications DO NOT meet the requirements of the job description.

Additional preference will be given to applicants with a college degree from an accredited college or university and sworn law enforcement investigation experience.

Special consideration may be given to eligible candidates who have bilingual verbal and written skills that meet a critical need of the agency’s mission.

The Division requires you to live no more than 50 miles from your residence to your assigned duty station (office). The mileage will be determined by geodesic distance (direct line) from their address of resident to the address of their assigned office.

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?

Successful applicants MUST pass not only the Interview but the Physical Abilities Test, Oral and Written Exam, background, drug test, fingerprinting, financial credit report, medical and psychological exam as a condition of employment prior to beginning.

Selection is a three-to-six-month process that consists of the following:

• Completed State of Florida Employment Application
• Completed Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services Supplemental Application
• Certified Florida Law Enforcement Officer - F.S. 943 (see below)
• Successful completion of the Physical Abilities Test
• Oral Exam
• Written Exam
• Interview
• Psychological Examination
• Medical Examination
• Drug Testing
• Fingerprinting
• Background Investigation
• Financial credit report

All successful candidates will be contacted for an interview by email that is provided on your state application.

Expected start dates for selected Law Enforcement Investigators and The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services New Employee Orientation will be in Tallahassee, FL are listed below (dates are subject to change, depending on availability of facilities):

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Florida Statute 943 requires that any person employed in this class must:

1. Be at least 19 years of age.
2. Be a citizen of the United States, notwithstanding any laws of the State to the contrary.
3. Be a high school graduate or its ""equivalent"" as the term may be determined by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission of the Department of Law Enforcement.
4. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, nor have received a dishonorable or undesirable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
5. Have his/her processed fingerprints on file with the employing agency.
6. Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician, based on specifications established by the Commission.
7. Have a good moral character as defined by Administrative Code 11B-27-0011, by a background investigation under procedures established by the Commission.
8. Possess a current certificate of compliance for basic employment certification issued by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:

Depending on the number of years of experience, salary can range from $52,500.00 to $58,000.08 a year. 

• The starting salary for applicants with minimum three (3) years sworn law enforcement experience (a college degree from an accredited college or university will count for one (1) year of experience) will be $58,000.08.
• Applicants with less than three (3) years sworn law enforcement experience (a college degree from an accredited college or university will count for one (1) year of experience) will be $52,500.00. 

Employees of the Department of Financial Services are paid on a monthly pay cycle.

Benefits include:

• Paid holidays, vacation and one personal holiday.
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid annual leave as a new employee.
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid sick leave annually.
• Pension and investment retirement plan options (MyFRS)
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts
• Tax deferred medical and childcare reimbursement accounts
• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program (must be accepted by a Florida colleges/universities)
• Public Service Student Forgiveness Program (PSLF) - (Eligibility required) https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/public-service-application-for-forgiveness.pdf
• Career training opportunities
• $25,000.00 in automatic life insurance coverage
• Affordable health insurance options starting as low as $30.00 per month.
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including dental, vision, disability and more.

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

Supplemental Monies:

• Educational pay - up to $1560 annually.
• Clothing allowance up to $500.00 annually.
• Take home car - approximately $10,000.0 in savings annually.
• Specialty pay additives: K-9 handler, Bomb team tech, on-call pay, FTO and Lead Detective.
• CAD pay up to $5000.00 for Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.

Programs:

• Participation on state and federal task forces.
• Community Outreach.
• Honor Guard.
• Disaster Fraud Action Strike Team (DFAST).
• K-9 program - (Accelerant or Explosives).
• Bomb Tech.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Communication

• Displays good written and oral communication skills.
• Exhibits good mediation and negotiating skills.
• Documents investigation activity in compliance with DIFS Policies and Procedures.
• Complies with all administrative documentation as prescribed by DIFS Policies and Procedures.
• Ensures that all reports are logically comprehensive and grammatically correct.
• Prepares detailed and accurate reports of findings and ensures that they are filed and properly reported.

Interpersonal Skills

• Exhibits flexibility to respond to change.
• Exhibits demeanor which is appropriate for the situation.
• Functions well as a team member.
• Responds to others using tact and diplomacy.
• Provides guidance, direction, leadership, and motivation to assisting agents, analysts, and others as applicable.
• Displays ethical and responsible behavior.
• Always conducts daily business in professional manner with respect, quality, service, and commitment to excellence.

Training and Proficiency

• All state-issued equipment is utilized and maintained in a safe and ready manner consistent with AP&P and DIFS Policies and Procedures.
• All state-issued and personally approved firearms are maintained and utilized in a safe and proficient manner consistent with DIFS Policies and Procedures.
• Applies a working knowledge of current Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, AP&P, DIFS Policies and Procedures, industry trends, and current case law relevant to al Job-related functions.
• Successfully completed mandated training programs required by Florida Statute, DFS, and DIFS.
• Provide training and technical assistance to new investigators on the requirements and duties associated with the Bureau.
• Train and instruct public safety personnel and others on State laws, rules, and current investigative techniques.

REQUIRED/ENTRY-LEVEL KSAs:

• Knowledge of investigative and surveillance principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Ability to work in dangerous and stressful situations.
• Ability to understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to deal with individual’s critical situations in an effective manner.
• Ability to gather and preserve evidence.
• Ability to describe facts and events accurately.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to effectively interview suspects, complainants, and witnesses.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

The duties of this position require a constituted law enforcement officer subject to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The incumbent is required to bear firearms. The incumbent is required to maintain certification as a law enforcement officer pursuant to Chapter 943, Florida Statutes.

Investigative Activities:

• Conduct extensive investigations. Responsibilities to include following up on leads, conducting interviews, executing search warrants, making arrests.
• Conduct follow-up latent investigations, interviewing witnesses and interrogation of suspects as appropriate in order to secure background information on suspect(s).
• Identify and arrest criminal suspects. Prepare and present information and evidence to the prosecuting attorney.
• Provide expert testimony at legal proceedings and assists in preparation of witnesses, victim, and evidence for use by the prosecution.
• Identifies, recruits, documents, and supervises confidential sources as per DIFS Policies and Procedures.
• Collects, seizes, protects, maintains, transports and documents evidence consistent with statutes, current case law, and DIFS Policies and Procedures.
• Displays sound surveillance techniques and undercover capabilities as needed.
• Provides investigative support to DIFS personnel and to other public safety entities.
• Applies diverse knowledge and research methods.
• Development of strategic and tactical intelligence.
• Monitors arrests, prosecutions, and forfeitures. Maintains liaison with Prosecutor.
• Conduct thorough background investigations on potential Department employees. 
• Establish and maintain liaison with other entities.
• Performs disaster related duties as requested.

Planning and Organizing:

• Provides complete and accurate collection of data/information, evaluation, and dissemination.
• Displays initiative and organization skills in conducting investigative activities.
• Prepares and implements investigative plan.
• Focuses investigation on objectives necessary for prosecution and closure of cases.
• Displays creative planning and seeks innovative resolutions.
• Goals, objectives, and assignments are met efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Consistently allocates resources to maximize efficiency and successful case completion.
• Demonstrates fiscal responsibility and monitors expenditures.
• Develops case targets.

Performs other related duties as required.

THE INCUMBENT OF THIS POSITION IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 60L-32.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.