Senior Rackets Investigator

Manhattan District Attorney; New York (NY); On-site; USD 71,567 - 87,470; Full time

Job summary

A government law enforcement agency in New York seeks a Senior Rackets Investigator for its Worker Protection Unit. The role involves conducting investigations into worker exploitation, collaborating with community groups, and preparing reports. Candidates must have relevant investigative experience and fluency in Spanish. The position offers a salary of $79,519 and requires police academy training in New York.

Qualifications

• 3 years of full-time, paid experience in police enforcement or investigative work.
• At least 1 year in rackets or police investigative work.
• Authorization to work in the United States required.

Responsibilities

• Conducting criminal investigations related to wage theft and fraud.
• Collaborating with community groups and law enforcement agencies.
• Preparing comprehensive narrative reports.
• Testifying at various court proceedings and grand jury.

Skills

Fluency in Spanish

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong critical thinking skills

Ability to work independently

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Division/Unit: Worker Protection Unit

Position Title: Senior Rackets Investigator

Civil Service Title: Senior Rackets Investigator

Salary: $79,519 - $79,519

Job Description

The New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) has an opening for a Senior Investigator to join the Rackets Bureau’s Worker Protection Unit (WPU) and its Construction Fraud Task Force. This unit investigates wage theft, construction fatalities and injuries, workplace safety hazards, and fraud against workers, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations. The WPU collaborates with community groups and worker rights groups to protect marginalized communities and partners with city, state, and federal agencies to make cases that have industry-wide impact. In this position, the Investigator will assist the unit with both long‑term and short‑term investigations related to worker safety and exploitation.

In this position, under supervision, with some latitude for independent judgment and initiative, the Investigator is responsible for conducting a wide variety of criminal investigations. This is a sworn police officer position. The candidate must meet all qualifications to be certified as a police officer on the NYS DCJS Police registry. This position requires you to have successfully completed police academy training in New York State and you are required to pass a mandatory background check to carry a firearm.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Developing cases based on tips and leads referred to WPU by other agencies, community groups, and hotline complaints.
• Contact and interview witnesses and victims, often after business hours.
• Conducting, managing, and updating on‑going investigations of various types of crimes such as: wage theft, worker exploitation, safety lapses, and public safety issues.
• Collaborating with community groups, nonprofits, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Conducting fieldwork, consisting of surveillance and various undercover operations.
• Reviewing facts to ascertain their validity.
• Preparing comprehensive narrative reports.
• Executing search and arrest warrants.
• Testifying at grand jury, criminal trials, and all other court proceedings.
• Performing background investigations on employees, contractors, and registrants.
• Perform field visits to businesses, communities, and other contacts.
• Gather information through collateral contacts, financial institutions, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Use various City databases to perform background and information searches, such as: eJustice, IIS, IFCOM, Webcrims, Google, and various watchdog registries.
• Work in an undercover capacity.
• Work on special projects and tasks, as assigned by the Chief Investigator.

In addition to the Minimum Qualification Requirements, candidates must possess the following

• Fluency in Spanish. Must have a valid NYS driver’s license.
• Must pass a medical exam, drug test, psychological screening, and an intensive background check.
• As per NY Public Officers Law 2, §3‑B, U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Requirements/Skills

• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Interest in workers’ rights, immigrant rights, and/or public safety.
• Ability to conduct confidential and sensitive investigations.
• Ability to communicate investigative results to other team members and to testify in court regarding investigative results required.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal skills required.
• Strong critical thinking skills and research ability.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple long‑term and short‑term projects.
• Ability to follow directions and apply proper policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Strong attention to detail and high concern for data accuracy.
• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with staff in a team‑oriented environment.
• Ability to interact with all levels of staff and other law enforcement agencies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

How to Apply

• Apply with a Cover Letter and Resume.

Hours/Shift

• Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Additional Information

• Current office employees: To be eligible for a transfer or promotion, staff must have already served at least 1 year in their current unit/bureau/department and be in good standing. In addition, must meet the minimum and additional qualifications of the position.
• Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

1. Graduation from high school or its equivalent and three years of full‑time, paid experience in police enforcement or investigative work, one year of which must have been in rackets or police investigative work.
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1”. However, all candidates are required to have one year of full‑time, paid experience in rackets or police investigative work.

Public Svc Loan Forgiveness

• 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/.

Residency Requirement

• City Residency is not required for this position.

The New York County District Attorney’s Office 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 based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.