Investigator - Consumer Protection

Office of the Indiana Attorney General; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Indiana Attorney General seeks a Consumer Litigation Investigator to assist the Deputy Attorneys General in mediating consumer complaints and supporting investigative teams. The role handles ~300 files, identifies issues for enforcement, drafts memos, and coordinates with BMV/SOS for auto-related enforcement efforts.

Responsibilities include preparing investigative summaries, obtaining documents, and testifying as needed, with strong emphasis on communication, organization, and

Qualifications

• College degree or equivalent experience in investigations, law enforcement, or consumer protection work.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Must possess a valid Indiana driver's license.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Mediate auto-related complaints between consumers and dealers on purchase/repair issues.
• Identify, collect, and prepare evidentiary materials for investigations and licensing actions.
• Testify in judicial proceedings as necessary.
• Perform fact-gathering and schedule witness interviews.

Skills

Investigations

Communication

Analytical thinking

Case management

Attention to detail

Independence

Education

College degree

Tools

Word

Outlook

Case management system

Job description

The Consumer Litigation Investigator will work with the Deputy Attorneys General to provide investigative support for Consumer Litigation files. Further, the investigator assists consumers by mediating consumer complaints involving automobile purchases and repair services, or other mediation matters as required, and assists Division Case Teams investigating allegations that businesses have violated Indiana consumer protection law. The investigator is responsible for approximately 300 files at any given time. The investigator reports to the Division’s Consumer Litigation Section Chief.

• Mediate auto-related complaints between consumers and dealers involving all matters related to the consumer purchase or repair of new and used vehicles, including but not limited to, failure to deliver titles, salvage disclosure violations, odometer issues, excessive fees and add-ons, vehicle quality issues, repair issues, and warranty complaints.

• Identify, collect, and prepare evidentiary materials in support of the investigation and prosecution of licensing violations against medical professionals, at the direction of the assigned attorney. Investigations are complex, involving allegations of unsafe prescribing of controlled substances, overprescribing of controlled substances, as well as cases involving voluminous medical records, investigations involving multiple practitioners or witnesses, and allegations of failures to meet standard of care.
• Conduct investigations and submit investigative summaries that are concise, detailed, clear and timely. Effectively and efficiently utilize available resources in the collection of evidence.
• Testify in judicial proceedings as necessary.
• Performs fact-gathering during investigation and litigation phases; contacts witnesses to obtain documents and testimony; prepares correspondence to witnesses and others; schedules witness interviews.

• Assist consumers who have not received valid titles to their vehicles from a dealership. This includes locating and obtaining titles, drafting demand letters and consumer affidavits, walking consumers through the affidavit of ownership and lien release processes, and obtaining temporary registrations for consumers through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (“BMV”)/Secretary of State (“SOS”).
• Assist Deputy Attorneys General (“DAG”) in identifying potential enforcement actions, including spotting issues contained in consumer complaints that would be appropriate for investigation or litigation and drafting memos identifying and describing the issue(s).
• Assist assigned DAGs in preparing litigation by obtaining the required documentation from consumers, drafting affidavits, and serving as point of contact for consumers involved in litigation.
• Working with the Indiana BMV and SOS to coordinate auto-related enforcement efforts, including meeting monthly with SOS’s Auto Dealer Division, obtaining relevant consumer complaints and dealer information from SOS, submitting bond claims to SOS, and remaining apprised of BMV and SOS auto-related procedures.
• Daily review of incoming mail and other documents related to automotive complaints
• Update and maintain all file activity in the office’s case management system.
• Other duties as assigned

• Proficient computer skills required, including word processing (Word 2007 or equivalent), email (Outlook 2007 or equivalent).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, including the ability to draft and edit correspondence and court documents.
• Proven case management skills, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Must have the ability to work with consumers and co-workers to obtain information in a timely manner.
• Must have the ability to work independently.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills a must.
• College degree; equivalent experience in investigations, law enforcement, or consumer protection work will be considered.
• The qualified candidate must pass a thorough background investigation and possess a valid Indiana driver’s license.