CDOC - Criminal Investigator IV (statewide)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) enforces criminal law to detect and deter crime within the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). Through the use of systematic investigative techniques, this position plans and conducts criminal and administrative investigations, as well as prepares legal documents, reports, warrants, and affidavits. This position is responsible for conducting investigations of offender and employee misconduct, including violations of state statutes, federal laws, and/or administrative regulations. Investigations may encompass Title VII discrimination and sexual harassment complaints, use of force allegations, staff and offender relationships, and other significant employee misconduct allegations. The role also involves coordinating facility drug interdictions, providing matrix supervision of assigned facility staff, interviewing suspects, victims, witnesses, and confidential sources, and independently investigating crimes within a prison facility. As a lead investigator or team leader, this position directs field investigations, determines necessary resources, and assigns tasks to other investigative personnel and law enforcement officers. Responsibilities include reviewing findings, preparing investigative reports and legal documentation for appointing authorities and prosecuting agencies, conducting surveillance, supervising or participating in undercover operations, and assisting other agencies in CDOC-related cases and intelligence gathering. The position analyzes complaints to determine authenticity and validate essential elements constituting a crime under Colorado Statutes, reviews and analyzes documents, statements, and reports to identify witnesses, victims, and suspects, and writes search and arrest affidavits to secure warrants and execute them. It also involves obtaining court orders for evidence collection, inventorying and securing seized items, creating exhibits for court proceedings, and testifying in court. Additional duties may include assisting other divisions on criminal investigations, fugitive operations, background investigations, interdiction operations, training and leading other OIG staff, and K9 investigations. This position requires the ability to work as a lead, support, and independent investigator, and is subject to a law enforcement background investigation, integrity interview, and psychological evaluation. The position is on-call 24/7 to any correctional facility in Colorado, requires permanent residency within a 1-hour drive time to the selected location, and necessitates flexible scheduling and extensive travel for emergency situations or team operations.

Requirements

• Eight (8) years of full-time professional investigative criminal case experience conducting felony drug investigations (i.e. task force or detective level experience), felony assault investigation, and internal affairs investigations to include ALL of the following aspects of investigations: Interviewing suspects, victims, and witnesses; collecting and processing evidence; writing and executing warrants; and testifying in hearings and trials.
• Applicants MUST possess a valid/active Colorado Peace Officer Standards Training Certification (POST) at the time of application.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Drivers must maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver license, obey traffic laws, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Have NO felony convictions.
• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position.
• Successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics.
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics.
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security.
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently.
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations.
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner.
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders.
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments.
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings.
• Willing and able to travel.
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule.
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.
• Successful completion of a background investigation is required.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in drug investigations in a corrections organization.
• Professional canine handling in a corrections, law enforcement or military organization with the main purpose of identifying contraband.
• Gang related investigations.
• Intelligence gathering or Intelligence led policing.
• Conducting multi-agency investigations.
• Institutional/Detentions investigations.
• Conducting Professional Standards or Internal Affairs Investigations.
• Bilingual.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations of offender and employee misconduct to include violations of state statutes, federal laws and/or violations of administrative regulations.
• Investigations may include Title VII discrimination and sexual harassment complaints, use of force allegations, staff and offender relationships and other allegations of significant employee misconduct.
• Coordinate facility drug interdictions and provide matrix supervision of assigned facility staff.
• Interview suspects, victims, witnesses, and confidential sources.
• Independently investigate crimes in a prison facility.
• As lead investigator/ team leader, direct field investigations on a continuing basis, inclusive of determining and using the resources needed to complete an investigation, and assigning tasks to other investigative personnel and law enforcement officers.
• Review findings, prepare investigative reports and legal documentation for presentation to appointing authorities and appropriate prosecuting agencies.
• Prepare investigative reports and legal documentation.
• Conduct surveillance and supervise and/or participate in undercover operations and assist other agencies in CDOC related cases and intelligence gathering.
• Analyze complaints, determine authenticity and validate for presence of essential elements that constitute a crime under Colorado Statutes.
• Review and analyze documents, statements and reports to identify witnesses, victims and suspects.
• Write search and arrest affidavits to secure warrants and execute arrest and search warrants.
• Obtain court orders for the collection of non-testimonial evidence and other related seizures.
• Inventory and secure items seized during search warrants and during the routine collection of crime scene evidence and create exhibits for court proceedings.
• Testify in court (e.g. administrative and personnel hearings, depositions, etc.).
• Assigned other investigative tasks as required to include: assistance to other divisions on criminal investigations; fugitive operations; background investigations; interdiction operations; and other duties normally assigned to the Special Operations Divisions.
• May be responsible for training and work/team lead of other OIG staff and field investigators.
• May be utilized on K9 investigations.
• Other duties, as needed.

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid life insurance
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED