Civilian Crash Investigator

City of Charlotte•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is hiring a Civilian Crash Investigator to investigate motor vehicle collisions involving property damage only, prepare accident reports, manage traffic and crowds at incident scenes, and provide administrative support. The role involves working in office and vehicle settings, driving independently, and may be assigned to various shifts, including weekends and holidays. Investigators may be required to provide testimony in legal proceedings and perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED with related experience in non-emergency motorist safety, such as monitoring radio dispatch for vehicle crashes, traffic hazards, and disabled vehicles, and/or experience in a directly related field.
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license.
Ability to obtain Civilian Traffic Investigator certification through the North Carolina Justice Academy for NCIC/DCI knowledge.
Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local criminal and traffic laws, and ability to apply departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Knowledge of community resources and services provided by public and private agencies.
Ability to interview people, observe details, collect evidence, analyze scenes, and write accurate reports.
Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate respectfully with the public.
Ability to maintain accurate, organized records and use relevant computer software and programs.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time in a fast-paced environment.
Familiarity with Charlotte and the surrounding area, including streets, districts, landmarks, and jurisdictional boundaries.
Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure; ability to work independently and adapt to diverse situations.
Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships and follow safety rules while protecting confidential information.
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, including extreme temperatures, and drive safely in adverse weather.
Physical strength and dexterity sufficient to assist with vehicle removal; ability to sit, stand, climb, or walk for extended periods; and perform light to moderate lifting and carrying, crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
Adequate vision, hearing, and speech; ability to grasp and perform repetitive motions and to hear, understand, and distinguish speech.
Ability to use visual, audio, and other senses attentively for proofreading, data entry, and tabulating data, and to work amid frequent interruptions and adverse weather.

Responsibilities

Investigate collision scenes and request appropriate assistance, such as wreckers, ambulances, fire department, and law enforcement; direct traffic to promote safety and smooth flow.
Assist disabled vehicles and remove abandoned vehicles that obstruct traffic.
Gather evidence, including skid marks, vehicle damage, photographs, and witness statements.
Assist police officers, paramedics, and tow truck drivers as needed.
Complete paperwork, file reports, and maintain records.
Interview parties involved in collisions to gather information about events leading up to the crash.
Prepare comprehensive accident reports, including diagrams, witness statements, and conclusions about the cause.
Implement manual traffic control at accident scenes, road closures, malfunctioning traffic signals, and other situations requiring intervention.
Monitor designated areas for potential hazards.
Use cones, barricades, and flares to manage traffic and crowds at hazards, collisions, and other events requiring crowd control.
Use a computer to locate wanted individuals, check license plates and drivers’ licenses, and access relevant information.
Ensure assigned vehicles, equipment, and supplies are functional and ready for use.
Provide witness testimony in legal proceedings when required.
Assist with administrative tasks and perform other assigned duties.