Chief Investigator (Administrative Specialist 4)

New Jersey Courts•Trenton, NJ

19d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Professional and Governmental Services is seeking an experienced and highly motivated applicant to serve as Chief Investigator for the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC). This is a challenging opportunity for an experienced individual seeking a career in a dynamic environment. The New Jersey Judiciary consists of: the Supreme Court, the Superior Court including the Appellate Division and the Trial Court of the 15 vicinages in New Jersey, the Tax Court and the Municipal Court System. The Administrative Office of the Courts provides technical assistance, operational support, training, research and development, budget and personnel coordination, and development and operation of information systems for the Courts of New Jersey. The Judiciary of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Ensuring an Open Door to Justice.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and five years of professional experience, two of which shall be in program development, program coordination, program analysis, program administration and/or administrative research.
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional paraprofessional and/or professional experience on a year-for-year basis with one year of such experience being equal to 30 semester hour credits.
An associate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of additional paraprofessional and/or professional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one year of experience.
A law degree from an approved American Bar Association law school may be substituted for two years of experience.
Note: A master’s degree or a law degree from an accredited college or university, may be used as a substitution, not both.
Degrees conferred outside of the United States must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service. (See https://naces.org/members/ )
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Selected candidate must be authorized to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.
Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that will include fingerprinting.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), the "New Jersey First Act," all persons newly hired by the Judiciary within one year must establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.
The NJ Judiciary requires all applicants to complete the application process fully and as instructed.
All applicants must complete the work experience and education sections and attach any required documents.
Applications must describe all relevant work experience in detail, beginning with your current or most recent job, including military service (indicate rank), internships and job-related volunteer work, if applicable.
Use a separate section to describe each position.
Applicants who indicate "see resume" or enter their initials to acknowledge that they have skipped the Work History and Education sections will not be considered, unless they do not possess any education history or work experience.
Only applicants that follow the application instructions and submit completed applications will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity navigating social media and similar platforms when conducting investigations.

Responsibilities

Maintain an understanding of the processes governing the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC)(per New Jersey Court Rule 2:15), as well as those New Jersey court rules applicable to judicial discipline.
Maintain an understanding of the provisions of the New Jersey Code of Judicial Conduct and any developing trends in judicial disciplinary case law.
Complete all assigned investigative and administrative tasks as directed by the Executive Director of the Office of Professional Services, including but not limited to, interviewing relevant individuals, reviewing court records/recordings/transcripts, accessing online databases, acquiring documentary evidence, and, with the assistance of Assistant Counsel, obtaining affidavits/certifications/evidential documentation and issuing subpoenas to produce documents.
Prioritize, coordinate, and conduct confidential investigations into allegations of judicial misconduct filed with the ACJC in consultation with the Executive Director of the Office of Professional Services, Assistant Counsel, and Disciplinary Counsel, and, when necessary, with the assistance of Assistant Counsel.
Prepare detailed investigative plans for review and approval by the Executive Director of the Office of Professional Services to include a description of the pertinent disciplinary issues, a preliminary list of anticipated witnesses and/or individuals with relevant knowledge, outstanding documentary evidence, necessary subpoenas, and any other relevant information.
Prepare, in consultation with the Executive Director, Assistant Counsel, and Disciplinary Counsel, an outline of interview questions as to each witness and/or Respondent-judge concerning areas of specific interest.
Prepare detailed investigative memoranda for the ACJC analyzing the ethical issues implicated by the alleged misconduct under the canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct and any related factual or evidential issues of concern and make recommendations as to any future action or ultimate disposition.
Facilitate the orderly and efficient processing of ethics grievances, to include communicating with grievants and/or court personnel, as warranted.
Prepare initial memos to the ACJC analyzing docketed grievances under the applicable canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable case law.
Participate, with the Executive Director and Assistant Counsel, in the monthly ACJC meetings prepared to discuss initial and investigative memoranda, investigative actions completed and anticipated, and any related issues.
Familiarity navigating social media and similar platforms when conducting investigations.
Assist Disciplinary Counsel in the preparation of matters scheduled for formal proceedings.
Participate in all staff meetings and consult with the Executive Director of the Office of Professional Services, Assistant Counsel, and Disciplinary Counsel, as needed, regarding the scope and subsequent progress of all preliminary investigations.
Respond appropriately to inquiries from Judiciary personnel and other state agencies on matters of judicial discipline.
Perform additional related duties, as assigned.