Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General•Allentown, PA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Special Agent classification involves highly confidential criminal investigative work for the Office of Attorney General, detecting and investigating violations of Commonwealth laws and regulations. The Organized Retail Crime Unit investigates and prosecutes complex criminal enterprises connected to retail or wholesale businesses in Pennsylvania. Its cases may involve offenses such as retail theft, organized retail theft, fraud, burglary, robbery, identity theft, money laundering, witness intimidation, assault, and other related crimes. Investigations may use cooperating witnesses, electronic surveillance, and the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, and involve collaboration with federal prosecutors and the Pennsylvania State Police. Special Agents use a range of investigative processes in cases from routine matters to sensitive, complex investigations. Special Agent I work is generally conducted under the direction of an experienced agent or supervisor. Special Agent II agents may investigate independently, coordinate a team as case agent, or guide less experienced agents. Supervisors review work through reports and conferences for accuracy, thoroughness, policy compliance, and sound judgment. The position is based in Allentown and requires reporting to the headquartered location at least four days per week. Telework may be available for the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need. The stated work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a full-time, non-civil service, union position. Starting salaries are $60,506 for Special Agent Trainee, $68,455 for Special Agent I, and $77,447 for Special Agent II. Applicants hired as Special Agent Trainees must participate in and successfully complete the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program (CITP) and the Office of Attorney General Agent Field Training Program. After successful completion of CITP, trainees are reclassified as Special Agent I or II based on education and investigative experience. Applicants for Special Agent I or II must have Act 120 certification, an equivalent training certification as determined by the Office of Attorney General, or successful completion of CITP. Upon a conditional offer, Agent Trainee applicants must pass a physical performance test battery as part of the background process. The test includes 30 sit-ups, a 300-meter run in 66 seconds, 25 push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run in 15 minutes and 54 seconds. Failure to pass any part results in disqualification and rescission of the conditional offer. Successful test results remain valid for 180 days.

Requirements

Special Agent I applicants must have Act 120 certification, certification from an Act 120-equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, or successful completion of the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program (CITP).
Special Agent II applicants must have Act 120 certification, certification from an Act 120-equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, or successful completion of CITP.
Special Agent I qualification: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a related technical or specialized field; or a bachelor’s degree; or four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a related technical or specialized field; or four years of active-duty military experience with honorable discharge; or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
Special Agent II qualification: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a related technical or specialized field; or bachelor’s degree and two years of such experience; or master’s degree and one year of such experience; or six years of such experience; or four years of honorable active-duty military experience and two years of such relevant experience; or six years of honorable active-duty military experience, including two years as a Military Police Officer with the Criminal Investigations Division or in a relevant Military Occupational Specialty; or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
Special Agent Trainees must participate in and successfully complete CITP and the Office of Attorney General Agent Field Training Program.
Agent Trainee applicants must successfully complete the physical performance test battery after a conditional offer: 30 sit-ups, a 300-meter run in 66 seconds, 25 push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run in 15 minutes and 54 seconds.
Must qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals.

Responsibilities

Conduct complex retail theft and retail crime investigations, including managing retail crime investigations.
Collaborate with Office of Attorney General prosecutors to achieve prosecutorial goals.
Conduct or assist with court-approved electronic interceptions or consensual electronic surveillance.
Examine financial records, accounting ledgers, and legal documents to detect or confirm illegal activity.
Collect, evaluate, develop, and prepare evidence for prosecution.
Conduct surveillance of individuals or locations.
Interview witnesses and interrogate subjects to obtain information, evidence, and confessions.
Make arrests and execute searches pursuant to court-ordered warrants.
Participate in raids and undercover assignments.
Prepare criminal complaints and search warrants.
Prepare written summaries of investigative activities and detailed investigative reports setting out allegations and evidence.
Collect, prepare, and submit evidence for laboratory analysis.
Testify and present evidence before a district justice or statewide investigating grand jury as a prosecution witness, and serve as prosecution officer at the district justice level.
Seek out, contact, and develop informants to obtain information about violations of Commonwealth laws and statutes.
Qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals.
Provide information for preparation of news releases.
Use a firearm when necessary for self-defense, defense of fellow agents or the public, or prevention of felonious crimes.
Perform other duties as required.