INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST II - 41000271

State of Florida • Tampa, FL

134d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office represents the State of Florida in state and federal civil and criminal courts, from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Consumer Protection Division’s mission is to protect consumers from fraud and other financial exploitation, to prevent and stop unfair and deceptive business practices, and to accomplish this mission without undermining the competitive process of trade and commerce. The Tampa Bureau of the Consumer Protection Division is seeking investigative candidates who are passionate about protecting Florida’s citizens and businesses. This is a civil enforcement position that will work with Investigators and Attorneys to bring investigations through successful civil litigation or settlement and may involve referring cases with criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The candidate will assist investigators in developing complex investigations relative to consumer protection cases. These investigations may include allegations of unfair and deceptive trade practices, consumer fraud, asset forfeiture, organized schemes to defraud, and fraud committed using the internet or other digital means. This is a highly responsible position in the investigations support role as an investigations specialist (analyst). The successful candidate needs to be an individual that is a self-starter and able to deliver projects in a timely manner with minimal supervision. This position largely accepts projects from Investigators and/or Assistant Attorneys General with defined parameters and specific timelines for delivery. Projects may include researching and culling information from many sources both internally and externally. Additionally, this position would compile, analyze, and deliver reports upon the outcome of that analysis to further investigations or litigation. Candidates will review complaints, speak with complainants and witnesses, review documents including complaints and financial statements, provide analysis of trends emerging in complaints and violations of FDUTPA. This position may also require the analysis of bank accounts, the flow of money, and may include the use of software such as CFIS to aid in the tracking of financial transactions. This position requires strong computer skills and the desire and ability to stay abreast of emerging technology. The successful candidate will be required to maintain detailed notes of actions taken while assisting in developing investigations at the direction of others, as well as memos, charts, graphs, and basic affidavits among other reporting documents. Candidate may be required to testify in court concerning activity that was completed while assisting in developing investigations. This position tracks consumer complaints, the types of complaints made, and the total loss alleged by complainants. Duties may also include identifying, validating, and providing documents necessary to provide restitution to consumers who have suffered a financial loss. The ideal candidate will be detailed oriented, and have strong time management and organizational skills, along with the ability to prioritize assignments. The candidate should be able to work independently with minimal supervision and should demonstrate a strong desire to protect consumers and resolve consumer complaints.

Requirements

• Five (5) years of relevant experience (experience in law enforcement, civil investigations, fraud or white-collar investigations, any financial-related investigations or analysis, general research and reporting, banking, accountancy, paralegal, or government agency experience reviewing and analyzing written consumer complaints)
• An Associate degree (or 60+ semester hours of college) and three (3) years of relevant experience as described above
• A Bachelor degree (or 120+ semester hours of college) and one (1) year of relevant experience as described above.
• Strong computer skills
• Ability to stay abreast of emerging technology
• Detailed notes of actions taken while assisting in developing investigations at the direction of others, as well as memos, charts, graphs, and basic affidavits among other reporting documents.
• Detailed oriented
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize assignments
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong desire to protect consumers and resolve consumer complaints
• Candidate profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
• All applicants must submit a complete and accurate application profile necessary for qualifying such as dates of service, reason for leaving, etc.
• All applicants must ensure all employment and/or detailed information about work experience is listed on the application (including military service, self-employment, job-related volunteer work, internships, etc.) and that gaps in employment are explained.
• Any required experience and/or preferences listed in the advertisement must be verified at the time of application.
• Ensure that applicant responses to qualifying questions are verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the employment application and/or resume.
• Applicants who do not respond to the qualifying questions will not be considered for this position.
• Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from SSS.

Nice To Haves

• Experience utilizing Excel in tracking trends, financial transactions, or providing statistical analysis.
• Experience drafting memoranda, reports, charts, graphs, or other means for documenting and communicating analytical findings.
• Experience utilizing OSINT and/or SOCMINT in skip tracing, researching, or to identify and develop leads.
• Bachelor degree in criminal justice, Finance, Accounting, Business, or Paralegal Studies
• Experience working in an investigative support role, especially relating to fraud, white collar crime, economic crimes, mail or wire fraud, and/or consumer protection.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate consumer complaints and provide analysis relative to trends in location, numbers, violations, and other important factors as may be assigned.
• Prepare memoranda, reports, spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and other related documentation to record and disseminate your research, analysis, findings, and recommendations.
• Communicate with victims, witnesses, defendants, businesses, law enforcement investigators or any other persons who may have information concerning ongoing investigations.
• Utilize critical thinking and analysis skills in recognizing trends and following monetary transactions.
• Develop strong computer skills leveraging OSINT and SOCMINT items such as internet searches, social media, and public records to develop leads and information about specific case assignments.
• Assist consumers with questions and general updates on matters under your review, under the supervision and direction of the investigator.
• Assist investigators and attorneys with special assignments, which may require extended hours and/or travel outside the worksite.
• During a declared state of emergency, the ability to assist in the investigation of price gouging allegations which may include contacting consumers and businesses to identify and resolve complaints, conducting site visits at businesses to obtain statements and evidence, or serve process such as preservation letters and subpoenas. During the declared state of emergency, this may require working extended hours, weekends, and/or during holidays. This may also involve travel to other affected regions to provide support and assistance in meeting the price gouging enforcement mission of our office.
• Demonstrates a high level of comprehension and skill in utilizing Excel and other software in analyzing trends in complaints, violations of FDUTPA, and tracing monetary transactions.
• Demonstrates a high level of comprehension and skill in utilizing software such as CFIS, Page Vault, VPNs, Adobe Pro, and the Microsoft Suite with a high degree of skill.
• May be required to testify relating to activity performed while assisting in the development of an investigation.
• May be co-assigned to specific investigations with an Investigator and given opportunity to take a responsible role in strategizing and developing a specific investigation.
• Perform other assigned tasks and duties in a timely fashion as required.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree