Investigator

City of New York•New York City, NY

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

DCWP is hiring for this position either on a provisional basis or through the 55a program. Permanent employees in the civil service title, and comparable title (under 6.1.9) are also eligible to apply. This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Flexible Work Pilot Program. The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and our work, visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for the newsletter, or follow us on social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The Office of Labor Policy & Standards (“OLPS”) enforces the City’s worker protection laws, including the Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek scheduling laws that protect fast food and retail workers, and Delivery Worker Laws that protect delivery workers classified as independent contractors. We also administer the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (FIFA) program, which assists freelance workers who have experienced wage theft and other violations. We obtain monetary compensation for workers for violations and bring companies into compliance. More information about our office is available at nyc.gov/workers. OLPS is seeking an Investigator to investigate potential violations of NYC worker protection laws.

Requirements

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of full-time, satisfactory experience conducting investigations or inspections for a consumer or worker protection agency; or
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or
A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience, which is equivalent to "1" above. College education may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of 30 semester credits for each year of required experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Possession of a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York at the time of appointment. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Responsibilities

Maintaining a strong understanding of the laws OLPS enforces
Interviewing workers, employers, and witnesses by telephone and in-person
Obtaining, documenting, and analyzing documentary evidence, including employer policies, payroll records, employee schedules, time records and other employment-related documents
Performing research using public sources, law enforcement databases, and other investigative tools
Applying the law to facts gathered during an investigation to identify appropriate charges
Writing investigation reports identifying violations uncovered during an investigation and containing recommendations for enforcement action
Calculating money owed to employees and civil penalties owed to the City
Engaging directly with businesses and attorneys to negotiate a resolution of the charges
Drafting document demands, findings letters, and settlement agreements
Testifying at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings’ Trial Division about investigation findings
Independently investigating and managing a high volume of cases, using appropriate judgment to elevate complex issues with a Supervising Investigator
Investigating cases that are complex and/or broad in scope, in collaboration with investigation teams of data scientists and attorneys