Confidential Investigator - Special Investigations

New York City Department of Education; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Education invites applications for Confidential Investigator in the Office of Special Investigations. This role conducts complex, sensitive investigations into allegations of corruption, misconduct, and other improper activity among NYCPS and vendor employees, including interviews, data review, and reporting.

The Investigator will prepare comprehensive confidential findings, may testify at administrative hearings or trials, and must maintain strict confidentiality

Qualifications

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full time experience in an industrial or governmental agency in the field of investigation, or a bachelor’s degree or education and/or experience equivalent to the above.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams and Zoom.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to Department of Education facilities throughout New York City.
• Ability to complete comprehensive written reports detailing the results of each investigation.

Responsibilities

• Conducts complex and sensitive investigations.
• Prepares, reviews, evaluates, and/or refers allegations of misconduct.
• Conducts interviews of all relevant parties to a complaint, including, but not limited to: the complainant/victim, witnesses, students of varying ages, parents of students, subjects of the investigation, and NYCPS and vendor employees.
• Analyzes complaints of misconduct, develops investigative plans, conducts fact-finding, reviews documentation, conducts related research, prepares relevant correspondence, and submits comprehensive confidential investigative findings for legal review and approval.
• Makes recommendations as to the appropriate action to be taken prior to and following an investigation.
• Documents investigative activities and dispositions via the office’s database in a timely and comprehensive manner.
• Testifies at hearings, trials, and administrative proceedings.
• Interprets and accurately applies relevant rules, regulations, codes and policies.

Skills

Interviewing

Report writing

Time management

MS Outlook

MS Excel

MS Word

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

Driving license

Travel to NYC facilities

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

Confidential Investigator - Special Investigations - 27316

Level:

L3

Division/Office:

Office of the General Counsel

Borough:

Brooklyn

Posting End Date:

12/31/2026

Description

Position Summary: The Confidential Investigator will have wide latitude for independent action and decision, in the performance of highly confidential and sensitive investigations into allegations of corruption, misconduct, and/or other illegal, unethical, or improper activity by New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) and vendor employees. The Confidential Investigator will be expected to: conduct victim, witness, and subject interviews; interact with union representatives; draft comprehensive reports of his/her findings; and testify, when necessary, at administrative hearings and/or trials. Performs related work.

Reports to: Assistant Director of Training and Education , Associate Director of the Office of Special Investigations

Direct Reports: N/A

Responsibilities

• Conducts complex and sensitive investigations.
• Prepares, reviews, evaluates, and/or refers allegations of misconduct.
• Conducts interviews of all relevant parties to a complaint, including, but not limited to: the complainant/victim, witnesses, students of varying ages, parents of students, subjects of the investigation, and NYCPS and vendor employees.
• Analyzes complaints of misconduct, develops investigative plans, conducts fact-finding, reviews documentation, conducts related research, prepares relevant correspondence, and submits comprehensive confidential investigative findings for legal review and approval.
• Makes recommendations as to the appropriate action to be taken prior to and following an investigation.
• Documents investigative activities and dispositions via the office’s database in a timely and comprehensive manner.
• Testifies at hearings, trials, and administrative proceedings.
• Interprets and accurately applies relevant rules, regulations, codes and policies.
• Interacts and communicates with NYCPS employees and the wider community, in person and remotely, to intake and/or refer complaints of misconduct lodged against departmental employees and vendors.
• Advises NYCPS employees, including school administrators; parents; students; and community members as to NYCPS’s reporting requirements, and the Office of Special Investigation’s intake and investigative policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintains confidentiality of investigations and of the investigative process.
• Acts as a liaison to internal and external legal and law enforcement offices seeking investigative information and/or confidential files pertaining to NYCPS employees.
• Conducts data analysis to identify trends and/or patterns of misconduct within DOE schools and/or districts.
• Participates in internal and/or external trainings on the Office of Special Investigation’s complaint intake procedures, investigative protocols, NYCPS reporting requirements, and the disciplinary process.
• Assists with the organization and archiving of investigative files.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full time experience in an industrial or governmental agency in the field of investigation or as a law enforcement officer conducting employee misconduct investigations, administrative investigations, or conducting criminal, special victims, and/or white collar crime investigations, or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, or education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

Plus

• Ability to complete comprehensive written reports detailing the results of each investigation.
• Ability to interview adults and students, including very young children and those with disabilities.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams and Zoom.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to Department of Education facilities throughout New York City.

Preferred

• Proficiency in PowerPoint and other widely used computer programs.
• Experience in/or working knowledge of the public sector and/or interest in public education.
• Strong strategic thinking, attention to detail, and ability to identify key issues.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage and track large amounts of case-related data, including digital data.
• Familiarity with evidentiary chain of custody protocols, to ensure that all evidence gathered during the course of investigations is preserved for possible criminal or administrative prosecution.

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary).

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

* New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non- Discrimination Policy

The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy .

REQUESTING AN ACCOMMODATION - APPLICANTS

Any prospective employee (applicant) who is a qualified individual with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to assist in the application process. If an applicant for employment believes that they have a qualifying disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process on an equal basis as applicants who do not have a disability, they should request an accommodation with their interview team or contact ODA by emailing [e-mail]. The determination of the accommodation request will be communicated to the applicant in writing. https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/doe-employees-only/personnel-memorandum-6-2024-2025---accommodations.pdf

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ .