VCCO #24-164: Claims Investigator Trainee (Newark, NJ) at New Jersey Attorney General's Office

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office – Victims of Crime Compensation Office is seeking two (2) enthusiastic individuals for entry-level investigative roles reviewing claims for victims of crime. These positions will be assigned to the Newark, NJ office. These positions will be appointed to the title Investigator Trainee, Law and Public Safety with an initial annual salary of $48,056.98 with a potential increase to $50,229.66 with satisfactory performance after six months of training.  Upon completion of the 12 month training period, candidates are eligible for automatic advancement to the Investigator 1, Law & Public Safety title with a starting salary of $52,513.10.  Please note, salary noted is non-negotiable, in accordance with Civil Service Commission procedures.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Attorney General has broad oversight of the state’s legal and law enforcement matters. As the head of the Department of Law and Public Safety, the Attorney General supervises a wide range of Divisions, Offices, and Commissions, consisting of over 2,800 sworn law enforcement officers, 600 attorneys, and thousands of other public servants.

ABOUT THE DIVISION: 

The Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) will advance a unified strategy for public safety by bringing together victim services, including victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and the Department’s violence intervention and prevention programming. VIVA will centralize these services, under one roof and provide staffing to support these programs statewide.

VIVA will:

• Promote a trauma-informed approach on victim assistance and violence intervention services.
• Expand the scope of the victim population served by the Department.
• Develop an infrastructure for victim assistance and violence intervention and prevention services.
• Serve as a resource center and hub of technical assistance and training.
• Coordinate among, build partnerships between, and support initiatives involving law enforcement entities and victim assistance and violence intervention and prevention service providers.
• Provide a structure and outlet for community stakeholders to provider input to improve services.
• Support policies and practices that recognize the important of cultural competency of those providing victim assistance and violence intervention services.

ABOUT THE OFFICE: 

The New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office assists certain individuals whose lives have been tragically altered as a result of victimization from violent crimes by providing compensation for some expenses they suffer as a result of the crime. In carrying out its mission, the VCCO is mindful of the special needs of those victimized by crime and their right to be treated with fairness, compassion and respect.

The VCCO was established by the Criminal Injury Compensation Act of 1971 to help victims recover from the effects of violent crimes by providing financial assistance to victims, their families, and victim service providers to help alleviate the economic and emotional burdens of victimization.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Under the close supervision of a Supervising Investigator or other supervisory official in the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, the Investigator Trainee will, as a trainee and productive worker, receive on-the-job training in the following areas:

• processing victims of crime benefit claims by interpreting applicable statutes, rules and regulations;
• reviewing law enforcement reports;
• conducting criminal history record checks;
• evaluating victim employment records, Workers’ Compensation and NJ Department of Labor unemployment information to ascertain compensability and compliance with relevant laws;
• communicating with service providers such as hospitals, physicians, mental health providers;
• evaluating insurance information and benefits;
• performing and learning other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.

Four (4) years of professional experience in the conduct of civil or criminal investigations related to compliance, enforcement, detection, and surveillance activity, including the preparation of investigative reports.

OR

Four (4) years of professional experience in the conduct of investigative administrative audits and/or regulatory examinations of records maintained by businesses and organizations.

OR

Four (4) years of professional experience in the conduct of investigations for the government, the military, consumer protection programs, public advocacy organizations, or the public interest.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants must submit proof of Bachelor’s degree completion to be considered.  Therefore, a copy of your final unofficial transcripts, which indicates the date your degree was conferred and the type of degree awarded is required to be considered. Failure to submit unofficial college transcripts, as aforementioned, may result in disqualification from consideration.

 OTHER KEY FACTORS:

• Completion of a supervised internship field placement of 300 hours in an undergraduate curriculum in Criminal Justice or a related degree program may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience.
• "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
• Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

BENEFITS:

• Paid Leave Time
• Paid State Holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision and Prescription Benefits
• Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
• Telework may be available

HOW TO APPLY: If qualified, please send a cover letter indicating interest in job vacancy announcement #24-164, a current resume, and a copy of your unofficial college transcripts to the Recruitment Coordinator at Jobs@njoag.gov on or before the closing date of May 3, 2024.

For more information, please visit https://www.njoag.gov/careers/all-job-postings/