Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General•Philadelphia, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Special Agent classification involves highly confidential criminal investigative work for the Office of Attorney General. Agents detect and investigate violations of Commonwealth laws and statutes, using the full range of investigative processes and procedures in cases ranging from routine matters to sensitive, complex investigations. A Special Agent I handles cases of limited scope and complexity under the direction of an experienced agent or supervisor. A Special Agent II may conduct investigations independently, coordinate a team as case agent, serve as a team member, and guide less experienced agents. Supervisors review work through reports and conferences for accuracy, thoroughness, policy compliance, and sound judgment. Special Agents use firearms in the course of their work and must attend and complete an Office of Attorney General firearms safety qualification course as soon as practicable after beginning employment. Agents are also required to qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals. The role is in the Gun Violence Task Force/Criminal Law Division, based in Philadelphia, with limited ad-hoc telework available subject to supervisor approval and business needs. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Applicants without Act 120 certification or an equivalent certification, but who meet the minimum qualifications for Special Agent I or II, may be hired as Special Agent Trainees. Trainees must successfully complete the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program (CITP) and participate in the Office of Attorney General Agent Field Training Program. After successful completion of CITP, trainees are reclassified as Special Agent I or II according to their education and investigative experience. Upon a conditional offer, Agent Trainee applicants must successfully complete a physical performance test battery as part of the background process. The battery comprises sit-ups, a 300-meter run, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. Failure to pass any part results in disqualification and rescission of the conditional offer. Successful test results are valid for 180 days.

Requirements

For Special Agent I or 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 the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program.
Special Agent Trainee applicants who meet the Special Agent I or II education and experience qualifications but lack the required certification must successfully complete CITP and participate in the Agent Field Training Program.
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 from an accredited college or university; 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 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 plus two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a related technical or specialized field; or six years of active-duty military experience with honorable discharge, including two years as a Military Police Officer with the Criminal Investigations Division or in a relevant MOS; or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
Agent Trainee applicants must pass the physical performance test battery after a conditional offer. Required standards are 30 sit-ups without a time limit, a 300-meter run in 66 seconds, 25 push-ups without a time limit, and a 1.5-mile run in 15 minutes 54 seconds.
Complete an Office of Attorney General firearms safety qualification course as soon as practicable after beginning employment and qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals.

Responsibilities

Use ATF databases, including eTrace, to research, recover, and share firearms-related information.
Conduct surveillance at gun shows and outreach with federal firearms dealers.
Examine or assist in examining financial records, accounting ledgers, and legal documents to detect or confirm illegal activity.
Collect, evaluate, develop, and prepare evidence for prosecution, or assist with those tasks.
Conduct or assist with surveillance of individuals or locations.
Interview or assist in interviewing witnesses and interrogate subjects to obtain information, evidence, and confessions.
Make or assist in making arrests and execute searches under court-ordered warrants.
Participate in raids and undercover assignments.
Prepare or assist in preparing criminal complaints and search warrants.
Prepare or assist in preparing written summaries of investigative activities and detailed investigative reports setting forth allegations and evidence.
Collect, prepare, and submit evidence for laboratory analysis, or assist with this task.
Testify and present evidence as a prosecution witness before a district justice or statewide investigating grand jury; may serve as prosecution officer at the district justice level.
Qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals.
Assist with or provide information for press releases.
Use a firearm when required for self-defense, defense of fellow agents or the public, or prevention of felonious crimes.
Perform other tasks as required.