Motor Vehicle Investigator

State of Idaho; Twin Falls (ID); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hiring a Motor Vehicle Investigator to serve across Idaho from the Boise area. The role focuses on customer service to vehicle owners and dealerships, investigating dealer operations and titling compliance, and performing field inspections related to vehicle fraud and registration.

The successful candidate will conduct investigations with limited supervision, issue citations when appropriate, coordinate with law enforcement, and travel as needed to

Qualifications

• Knowledge of motor vehicle laws relating to sales, licensing, and titling.
• Basic knowledge of automobile components.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service to individuals with unclear ownership documents in titling and inspecting vehicles.
• Inspect vehicle dealers to approve or disapprove licenses and ensure fees are paid.
• Verify proper use of dealer license plates and title filing procedures.
• Respond to inquiries from county assessors, dealers, and the public.
• Investigate title fraud, odometer tampering, and licensing problems.
• Issue citations/warnings and prepare investigative reports.

Skills

Motor vehicle laws

Basic automobile components

Job description

Posted 0 weeks ago | Apply before November 15, 2026

Description

State of Idaho
Idaho Transportation Department

NOTICE: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

STATE OF IDAHO EMPLOYEES: If you are a current or temporary State of Idaho employee you MUST apply through Luma Opportunities. Applying through the State of Idaho’s external career website will cause duplicate profiles and will slow the processing of your application for a new position.

Do you want to make a difference and be part of an award-winning agency, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Idaho through transportation?At the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), every employee is critical to the mission, and we strive to foster an innovative, collaborative workplace where employees can grow and do their best work.

Idaho Transportation Department is currently recruiting for a Motor Vehicle Investigator for our Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This position, located in the Boise area, will provide high quality customer service to vehicle owners and dealerships throughout the state of Idaho. This position investigates motor vehicle dealer operations and violations and ensures compliance of laws pertaining to dealers and titles. The successful incumbent will provide customer information and assistance in determining titling procedures for vehicles with unclear ownership, along with performing field inspection and investigation work relating to vehicle fraud, vehicle theft, vehicle registration, and will perform related work as required.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The incumbent will provide customer assistance in determining proper ownership. The incumbent will also investigate complaints and violations against dealers and salespersons regarding the following: title fraud, odometer tampering, false or misleading advertising, and licensing problems. This position assists dealerships in complying with Idaho and federal laws, rules and regulations. The incumbent will provide dealer training and education to dealerships and will perform related fieldwork including identifying correct identification numbers, and assign or reassign vehicle numbers. They work with various law enforcement agencies in investigating crimes and identifying vehicles. Incumbents issue citations and warnings, prepare investigative reports, and recommend administrative or criminal actions. This position works with little supervision and is responsible for organizing and prioritizing personal work schedules.

This position involves crawling under and over motor vehicles; lifting heavy vehicle parts weighing approximately 40 pounds; scraping vehicle parts; using chemicals, wrenches, screwdrivers, and drills to identify vehicle parts; working alone in potentially intense situations; operating a state-provided sedan, in all types of weather and road conditions. There is a possibility of exposure to hazardous materials, often works independently, and will require frequent travel including overnight up to 3 or 4 days at a time.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

• This position is granted LIMITED peace officer authority.
• A criminal background investigation will be required before appointment and annually to satisfy state bonding and deputization requirements. The successful candidate will have no convictions or withheld judgment of a felony or certain misdemeanors or have any indictment or information pending for any offense.
• Adriving record check will be required.

Example of Duties:

• Provide customer service to individuals with unclear ownership documents in titling and inspecting vehicles;
• Provide customer service to individuals filing complaints against dealers or sales representatives;
• Inspect vehicle dealers to approve or disapprove proposed locations, dealer and salesperson's licenses, and insure required fees have been paid;
• Verify proper use of dealer license plate, title filing procedures, and collection of sales tax;
• Respond to inquiries from county assessors' staff, dealers, sales persons and the public regarding proper procedures for titling, licensing, and registering vehicles;
• Investigate complaints and violations against dealers and salespersons regarding title fraud, odometer tampering, false or misleading advertising, and licensing problems;
• Inspect vehicles and title documents to determine proper ownership, correct identification numbers, and assign or reassign vehicle numbers;
• Collaborate with various law enforcement agencies in providing technical assistance in investigating crimes and identifying vehicles;
• Issue citations and warnings, prepare investigative reports, and may recommend administrative or criminal actions;
• Conduct training sessions on dealer license education, titles, and vehicle inspection procedures;
• Professionally represent the Department of Motor Vehicles;
• Work with little supervision including organizing and prioritizing personal work schedule.

Minimum Qualifications

Some knowledge of:

• Motor vehicle laws relating to sales, licensing, and titling requirements: Typically gained byexperience as a licensed vehicle salesman, vehicle dealership employee or government licensing authority employee which has provided basic knowledge of motor vehicle regulations including dealership sales activities and general retail business practices.
• Basic automobile components : Typically gained byworking as an auto mechanic, insurance adjuster, auto body repairman or similar experience. Related coursework may also qualify.

Experience:

• Reviewing complaints, collecting and evaluating data and preparing circumstantial reports with recommendations: Typically gained by experience comparable to insurance claims adjuster, customer service representative or similar experience that demonstrates resolving problems and making decisions within legal or administrative guidelines.
• Interpreting and applying requirements of federal or state licensing laws: Typically gained byexperience reviewing, interpreting and applying regulations for business licensing, individual licensing, vehicle titling and vehicle identification.
• Valid driver's license

Highly Desirable Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess:

• Ability to develop and deliver training to groups.
• Ability to utilize various sources of information including social media and various websites to gather facts regarding vehicle ownership, sales, and unlicensed dealer activity.
• Experience providing extraordinary customer service to meet goals and expectations of the organization.
• Ability to interpret and competently understand, explain and enforce Idaho Code, Title 49, along with explaining information regarding violations of the Idaho Code.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county agents, dealers, and other state and local law enforcement officials and make independent judgments based upon the information available.
• Ability to appropriately respond and control tense situations while displaying high standards of ethical conduct.Exhibit honesty and integrity while working with and communicating with internal and external customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner and have a commitment to quality service.
• Ability to display a high level of initiative, effort, independent judgment, and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently with minimal supervision.

To learn more about the department, please visit the ITD website . Make a difference in your community and in the lives of the citizens of Idaho! Contact an ITD Recruiter at: [e-mail] or call 208-334-8664. The Idaho Transportation Department does not sponsor work visas.

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/ .

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact [phone] (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [e-mail] .

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.