Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 61,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in Erie seeks Special Agent Trainee/I/II to support the Criminal Law Division. The role involves confidential investigations, surveillance, evidence collection, and courtroom testimony in line with legal procedures.

Applicants must meet Act 120 qualifications or equivalent training, with CITP/FTO participation. The position offers a clear path from trainee to higher ranks based on education and experience, in a union, non-civil service setting.

Qualifications

• Act 120 certification or equivalent training required.
• CITP and Field Training participation may be required.
• Strong investigative mindset and ability to follow protocols.

Responsibilities

• Conduct electronic interceptions or consensual electronic surveillance with court approval.
• Examine financial records and legal documents to detect illegal activity.
• Prepare and present evidence for prosecution in court or grand jury.
• Conduct surveillance of individuals or locations and interview witnesses.
• Develop informants and gather information related to Commonwealth laws.
• Complete CHRIA, Megan’s Law/Adam Walsh Act, and ChildLine audits as required.
• Prepare criminal complaints, search warrants, and detailed investigative reports.
• Be prepared to testify in court and may serve as prosecution officer at the district level.
• Arrest suspects and execute searches under warrants as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice/Police Science

Job description

Position Information

Section: Bureau of Investigative Services – Intelligence Unit/

Criminal Law Division

Class: Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Location: Erie

Telework: Telework is not offered for this position.

Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Union

Work Hours: 8:30 – 5:00

Salary Range: Special Agent Trainee: Starting salary of $60,506

Special Agent I: Starting salary of $68,455

Special Agent II: Starting salary of $77,447

Basic Function

This Special Agent position involves specialized work of a highly confidential nature performed within the Bureau of Investigative Services to support the sworn agents of the Criminal Law Division.

Examples Of Duties

• Conducts and/or assists in conducting either court approved electronic interceptions or consensual electronic surveillance
• Examines financial records, accounting ledgers, and legal documents to detect and/or confirm illegal activity
• Collects, evaluates, develops, and prepares evidence for presentation for prosecution
• Conducts surveillance of individuals or locations
• Interviews witnesses and interrogates subjects to ascertain information, evidence, and confessions
• Conducts Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), Megan’s Law/Adam Walsh Act, and ChildLine audits
• Responsible for assisting all PA OAG (Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General) units with operational, tactical, and strategic support
• Makes arrests and executes searches pursuant to court-ordered warrants
• Participates in raids and undercover assignments
• Prepares criminal complaints, search warrants, written summary reports of investigative activities, and detailed reports of investigations setting forth allegations and evidence
• Collects, prepares, and submits evidence for laboratory analysis
• Appears in court before a district judge or a statewide investigating grand jury to present testimony and evidence as a prosecution witness and may serve as the prosecution officer at the district judge level
• Seeks out, contacts, and develops informants to procure information relating to violations of Commonwealth laws and statutes
• Is required to qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals
• Provides information for the preparation of press releases
• May be required to use a firearm in self-defense, the defense of fellow agents, the public, or to prevent the commission of felonious crimes
• Other duties as required

Minimum Experience and Training

Qualification for Special Agent Trainee:

Applicants that do not have Act 120 certification, or a certification from an equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, but that meet the minimum experience and training for a Special Agent I or Special Agent II as outlined below, will be hired as Special Agent Trainees.

Agent Trainees must participate in and successfully complete the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program (CITP) and must participate in the Office of Attorney General Agent Field Training Program.

Upon successful completion of the CITP, Special Agent Trainees will be reclassified to Special Agent I or Special Agent II based on their education and investigative experience.

Qualifications for Special Agent I and Special Agent II:

In addition to the below qualifications, applicants must have Act 120 certification, certification from an Act 120 equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, or have successfully completed the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program.

Special Agent I:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position OR
• Four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Four years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge OR
• Any equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training

Special Agent II:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and one year of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Six years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Four years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Six years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge including two years as a Military Police Officer with the Criminal Investigations Division or a relevant Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) OR
• Any equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training