Civilian Investigator

Carver County•Chaska Justice Center, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Carver County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is seeking its first-ever Civilian Investigator to join our Investigations Division. This position provides full caseload ownership, direct connection to prosecution, and the professional satisfaction of protecting victims in a fast-growing community of more than 114,000 residents. You will be the primary investigative resource for property crimes, financial crimes, fraud, and identity theft — cases that are meaningful to the people they affect and require the same professional standards any serious investigation demands. Under the direction of the Investigations Sergeant, this position independently conducts follow-up criminal investigations of property crimes, financial crimes, fraud, and other non-violent offenses. Work includes managing an assigned caseload from intake through prosecution referral, conducting non-custodial victim, witness, and voluntary-subject interviews, gathering and documenting evidence, maintaining case files in the Records Management System, preparing prosecution packages for submission to the County Attorney's Office, and testifying as a fact witness in criminal proceedings. The position exercises independent professional judgment in investigative direction, evidence collection, and case documentation within the scope of non-licensed investigative authority. This is a civilian (non-licensed) position and operates within the CCSO Investigations Division alongside licensed detectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Studies, Public Administration, Criminology, Paralegal Studies, or closely related field.
Three years of experience in criminal investigations, law enforcement, fraud investigation, criminal paralegal practice, or closely related investigative field.
One year of experience with computerized records management systems and investigative databases.
Valid driver's license.
Must be able to successfully complete a CJIS background investigation.
Must obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security awareness certification within six months of hire.
Significant directly-relevant investigative experience, including as a law enforcement officer, insurance investigator, criminal paralegal, or fraud examiner, may substitute for the degree.

Nice To Haves

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) credential.
Experience with financial institution fraud investigation, insurance Special Investigations Unit (SIU) work, or federal civilian investigative service.
Experience with investigative databases and OSINT platforms (CLEAR, TLO, Palantir, i2, or comparable).
Experience testifying as a fact witness in criminal or civil proceedings.
Experience with law enforcement records management systems (CIS, Axon Records, or comparable).
Familiarity with Minnesota criminal statutes applicable to property and financial crimes.

Responsibilities

Receives and reviews assigned criminal cases and patrol reports; confirms case scope falls within civilian investigative authority and flags any elements requiring escalation to the Investigations Sergeant; creates and maintains case files in the CIS Records Management System; develops an initial investigative plan and documents planned investigative steps.
Conducts follow-up investigations of property crimes, including theft, burglary follow-up, vehicle theft, criminal damage to property, agricultural and equipment theft, and trespass; conducts scene revisits, canvasses for witnesses and surveillance footage, obtains evidence, documents findings, and maintains case progression.
Conducts follow-up investigations of financial crimes and fraud, including identity theft, check fraud, forgery, credit and debit card fraud, retail fraud, insurance fraud, and non-violent elder financial exploitation; obtains and reviews financial records via subpoena or consent; identifies suspect patterns across cases; coordinates with financial institutions and victim advocates.
Conducts victim, witness, and voluntary-subject interviews; schedules and conducts interviews at the office, victim residences, or approved alternate locations; documents interviews consistent with agency policy; recognizes when a subject interview requires a licensed peace officer and escalates accordingly.
Prepares prosecution case packages and coordinates with the County Attorney's Office; compiles complete case materials; drafts investigative summaries supporting charging decisions; ensures timely submission of case referrals; tracks case status through charging and arraignment; responds to discovery requests; appears in court to testify as required.
Uses open-source intelligence tools, social media platforms, public records databases, and commercial investigative platforms consistent with agency policy and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act to identify suspects, locate witnesses, and document online evidence.
Drafts supporting documentation and affidavit materials for licensed-investigator review; prepares summaries, chronologies, and supporting documentation for search warrant affidavits based on facts within the incumbent's personal investigative knowledge; submits materials to the Investigations Sergeant for review.
Manages evidence documentation and chain-of-custody coordination; ensures proper collection, packaging, and submission of physical and digital evidence; completes evidence submission forms; coordinates with Evidence Technicians for examination requests; documents all evidence movement consistent with agency policy and disclosure obligations.
Provides investigative support to licensed detectives on complex, multi-faceted cases, including organized retail crime investigations, multi-victim fraud schemes, and other cases requiring high-volume records processing, link analysis, or background research.
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.