Background Investigator #10114269-21800, Full-Time, Perm, in Albuquerque, NM

New Mexico Courts; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 61,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Administrative Office of the Courts is seeking a full-time Background Investigator in Albuquerque, NM to conduct thorough criminal background investigations on individuals arrested statewide and to present appropriate recommendations to the court regarding conditions of release. The role requires evening/night shifts and occasional weekend/holiday work with a night differential.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field, at least three years of

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, Counseling, or a directly related field.
• Experience: Three (3) years of experience conducting background investigations or a related field.
• Must obtain and maintain NCIC certification within six (6) months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Interview offenders to obtain and verify background information for thorough background investigations.
• Provide detailed reports to the court including recommendations for release.
• Assess offender’s threat level to self and others and make recommendations.

Skills

NCIC procedures

Interviewing techniques

Criminal justice knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, Counseling, or related field

Tools

NCIC system

Job description

Business Unit: 21800

Background Investigator #10114269-21800, Full-Time, Perm, in Albuquerque, NM

# of Positions: 1

Administrative Office of the Courts

Business Unit: 21800

Background Investigator #10114269-21800, Full-Time, Perm, in Albuquerque, NM

# of Positions: 1

Opening Date: 10-07-2026 - Close Date: 10-21-2026

Target Pay Range/Rate: $29.374 per hour or $61,097.92 annually

The Administrative Office of the Courts is recruiting for a full-time, perm Background Investigator #10114269-21800, in Albuquerque, NM. Under general supervision of the Pretrial Services Supervisor, this position will work within the AOC Background Investigation and Public Safety Assessment Unit in Albuquerque, NM. This is a centralized unit developed to provide critical background investigation reports and outcomes of the Public Safety Assessment to courts statewide. This position will conduct thorough criminal background investigations on individuals arrested statewide and charged with criminal offenses prior to their initial hearing, arraignment and/or detention hearing; receive and respond to correspondence from detention centers and courts throughout the state; update various daily logs used to track work progress and performance. In addition, this position will act as a designee who is authorized to make pre-trial defendant release decisions based on program criteria. A shift differential of $3 per hour will be paid for all hours worked between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. It is a night position hours are 6:30pm to 5am. Days off would be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday**The employee in this position is required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, when the AOC and/or courts are closed due to inclement weather. The ideal candidate has enthusiasm, is detail oriented and is a team player, while possessing experience with Odyssey and NCIC is a plus. Finalist(s) may be subject to a background check.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Acting under general supervision conducts background investigations on persons charged with criminal offenses and presents appropriate recommendations to the court regarding conditions of release.

Examples Of Job Duties

• The Background Investigator is responsible for interviewing offenders to obtain and verify necessary background information to conduct a thorough criminal history background investigation.
• Provides detailed reports to the court including recommendations for release.
• Assesses offender’s threat level to self and others.
• Makes appropriate recommendations for release and bonds based on criminal history.
• Defends developed release or program recommendations and challenges to those recommendations.
• May prepare written reports including detailed chronological criminal history, conditions of release, treatment referrals and future recommendations.
• May attend court proceedings as necessary and present defendant profile and criminal history information and conditions or release recommendations to the court.
• Provides release information to judges, involved parties and community members.
• Compiles and reports statistical data.
• Communicates with District Attorneys and other members of government and court agencies.
• Participates and attends conferences, training and community outreach or educational programs related to court programs.
• May complete detailed offender behavioral profile by contacting references and verifying information provided by offenders regarding employment, home, work, and school status.
• May contact and interview victims.
• May document interactions with defendants in the case management system and maintains current case files.
• May performs scheduled and unannounced site visits (home, work, school, or other location) to obtain or verify background information.
• May serve as the Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) and ensures compliance with security requirements.
• May recognize patterns of drug, alcohol, and anger issues and makes appropriate recommendations for referrals to community treatment providers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies/Qualifications

The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of the state statutes, rules, and constitutional rights governing the release and bail eligibility for defendants; third party releases, community safety concerns, and recidivism; criminal behavior patterns and profiles; investigative techniques utilizing national, state, and local investigative resources and interviewing procedures; New Mexico law, civil and criminal procedures, and sentencing guidelines; court rules, policies and procedures, operations and structure; misdemeanor and felony arraignment proceedings and bail and bond processes; court supervision program; case management and legal terminology; substance abuse, mental health counseling and treatment, drug screening methods and equipment; mediation techniques and conflict resolution; NCIC (National Crime Information Center) procedures; and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

• This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP) [http://www.mybenefitsnm.com/]
• State paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance
• Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses
• Paid vacation and sick leave up to eight (8) weeks
• Eleven (11) paid holidays
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan [http://www.nmpera.org/]
• Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations*
• Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM
• Bilingual compensation*
• Training and career development opportunities
• Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement
• May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay*
• May receive physical fitness leave*
• What are your benefits worth? Click here to find out

*These benefits vary by job classification or need*

Qualifications

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, Counseling, or a directly related field.
• Education Substitution: Four (4) years of directly related or relevant experience may substitute on a year for year basis.
• Experience: Three (3) years of experience conducting background investigations or a related field.
• Experience Substitution: None.
• Other: Must obtain and maintain National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification within six (6) months of hire.

Proof Of Education Required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER