Investigator (Probation Child Support)

New-Jersey-Courts; Hackensack (NJ); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

New Jersey Judiciary is seeking an Investigator in the Bergen Vicinage Probation Division's Child Support Enforcement Unit. The role requires strong communication, detail orientation, and investigative skills to gather facts and support court orders.

Hybrid work is available with up to two remote days, and applicants must meet background and residency requirements. The position offers growth opportunities and a pathway within the Probation Division, with a starting salary under Schedule A or B

Qualifications

• Two years of paraprofessional experience in casework involving the collection of facts, securing, and verifying socioeconomic data, obtaining information by observing conditions, examining records, interviewing individuals, and/or preparing investigative reports of findings.
• Substitution: applicants may substitute semester hour credits from an accredited college or university for the required experience on a year-for-year basis with 30 semester hour credits equal to one year of experience.
• Physical Ability: some positions require climbing, standing, bending, and lifting 30–75 pounds.
• Driver's License: NJ license required if operation of a vehicle is necessary.
• Authorization to Work: US citizenship not required.
• Residency Law: NJ residency within one year; exemptions possible for hardship or employer need.

Responsibilities

• Perform investigatory work including initial intake and case investigation.
• Manage case flow and monitor outcomes with data entry.
• Analyze case histories to monitor and enforce court orders.
• Explain Judiciary policies to clients and assess case management needs.
• Prepare cases for court hearings and provide recommendations.
• Establish relationships with divisions, vicinages, or external organizations.
• Ensure documentation of all case activities and draft related correspondence.
• Advise management and judges on case issues.
• Provide cross-training to coworkers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Investigation

Communication

Case management

Data entry

Job description

If another position becomes available within five months of this recruitment’s closing date, the applicant pool from this posting may be used to fill additional vacancies.

When you come to work for New Jersey Judiciary you will join an 8500-member strong TEAM that operates with the highest standards of independence, integrity, fairness and quality service. You will be engaged with work that has purpose, meaning and makes a difference in lives of the public we serve. We work hard every day to build the public’s trust and confidence in our court system, which includes issues such as bail reform, marijuana decriminalization and recovery court. Whether it be in a courtroom, an administrative office, a courthouse training room, an IT office or in the field, our Judiciary workforce is improving the lives of countless individuals and families every day. We honor the dignity and individualism of each member of our organization while fostering professionalism and continuous improvement in our work.

SALARY:

The salary range for this position is $48,423.30 to $91,649.93 for Schedule A, and $48,423.30 to $82,047.30 for Schedule B. For newly hired individuals, the starting salary will normally be at the minimum of the salary range. For current Judiciary employees, salary upon promotion or advancement will be an increase of 5% of base salary, not to exceed the maximum of the range, or the minimum salary of the band/level, whichever is greater. Judiciary employees hired prior to August 21, 2014, are considered Schedule A. Newly hired individuals, and Judiciary employees hired on or after August 21, 2014, are considered Schedule B.

The Judiciary offers a strong opportunity for growth.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Bergen Vicinage Probation Division is seeking a reliable, detail-oriented individual interested in making a difference as an Investigator in its Child Support Enforcement Unit. The selected candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, as well as technical competence. Under the direction of the Probation Division Manager (Court Executive 2b) and other supervisory personnel, the selected individual will conduct investigations and gather relevant facts pertaining to cases. See Example of Duties below for more details.

REMOTE WORK:

The Judiciary currently offers a hybrid work schedule, and this position may qualify for up to 2 days of remote work outside of Judiciary buildings. To participate in this program, in addition to installing a multifactor authentication app on your phone or tablet, you will be required to have high speed home internet access.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform investigatory work, including initial intake process.
• Managing case flow and/or monitoring outcomes of cases, along with completing necessary data entry
• Analyze case histories to monitor and enforce conditions of court orders
• Explain Judiciary policies or procedures to clients/customers
• Identify clients’/customers’ case management needs
• Ensure the timely disposition and entry of all orders and subsequent proceedings
• Conduct client interviews
• Prepare case for court hearings and make recommendations to the courts
• Establish working relationships with divisions, vicinages, or other outside organizations
• Review documents submitted to the court for compliance with court rules and approved practices
• Ensure all case activities, updates and interaction are documents through case notes to ensure proper case tracking and/or draft other case-related correspondence
• Advise management and judges on case issues
• Provide cross-training to co-workers
• Perform other duties as assigned

Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function of this position.

Two years of paraprofessional experience in casework involving the collection of facts, securing, and verifying socioeconomic data, obtaining information by observing conditions, examining records, interviewing individuals, and/or preparing investigative reports of findings.

Substitution:

Applicants may substitute semester hour credits from an accredited college or university for the required experience on a year-for-year basis with 30 semester hour credits being equal to one year of experience.

Physical Ability:

For some positions, applicants must have the ability to perform work which requires climbing and prolonged standing, stretching, bending and reaching to perform the essential duties of the position. For some positions, the selected candidate must be able to frequently lift and carry supplies weighing from 30 to 50 pounds and, occasionally, materials weighing up to 75 pounds, in order to perform essential duties of the position.

Driver's License:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Authorization to Work:

US citizenship is not required. Selected candidate must be authorized to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.

Special Note:

Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that will include fingerprinting. All data received will be kept in strict confidence except to inform the individual of the findings and what action will be taken as a result of this information.

Residency Law:

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), the "New Jersey First Act," all persons newly hired by the Judiciary within one year must establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey. Any person may request an exemption from that requirement from the Employee Residency Review Committee in the Department of Labor & Workforce Development on the basis of either hardship or employer critical need.

The Judiciary of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Employer Committed to Ensuring an Open Door to Justice