SVU Investigator

Pender County Government; Burgaw (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Investigations Division of Pender County Government is seeking a Special Victims Investigator (SVU) to lead high-stakes investigations into sexual abuse, cybercrimes involving minors, and domestic violence within the county.

This role requires a minimum five-year commitment and close collaboration with NCICAC, DSS, medical facilities, and other law enforcement partners.

Qualifications

• Certified Law Enforcement Officer in North Carolina (BLET required).
• Prior investigative experience preferred, especially in SVU or domestic violence cases.
• Strong working knowledge of North Carolina sex offender registry laws.
• Experience coordinating with DSS, child advocacy centers, and medical professionals.
• Familiarity with forensic interview protocols and polygraph scheduling.
• Ability to write and execute search warrants and court orders.
• Strong documentation, case management, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be available to respond after hours as part of an on-call schedule.
• Willingness to commit a minimum of five years to this position due to training requirements.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of sexual abuse, sexual assault, online exploitation and cybercrimes involving minors, domestic violence, and related offenses.
• Work with NCICAC on internet crimes involving children.
• Track and monitor registered sex offenders within the county and initiate charges for non-compliance.
• Coordinate child forensic interviews and polygraph exams.
• Secure and execute search warrants and court orders, including medical and digital records.
• Collaborate with DSS, advocacy centers, and forensic medical staff.
• Participate in an on-call rotation after business hours.

Skills

BLET certified

SVU experience

Criminal investigations

Interagency coordination

Polygraph scheduling

Domestic violence investigations

Education

North Carolina BLET

Job description

The Investigations Division is currently accepting applications for the new Special Victims Investigator (SVU). This is a critical and demanding position requiring full commitment, professionalism, and compassion. The selected investigator will be responsible for conducting comprehensive investigations into crimes involving sexual abuse, sexual assault, cybercrimes, sexual exploitation of minors, and domestic violence occurring within the county.

This role will also involve working closely with the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (NCICAC), Department of Social Services (DSS), medical facilities, and other law enforcement partners. Due to the highly specialized nature of this position and the significant training required, a minimum five-year commitment is expected.

Note: This position is open until filled.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of:
  • Sexual abuse and sexual assault
  • Online exploitation and cybercrimes involving minors
  • Domestic violence
  • Child and elder abuse (DSS or medical referrals)
• Work directly with NCICAC on internet crimes involving children
• Track and monitor registered sex offenders within the county
• Initiate charges against non-compliant sex offenders in accordance with state law
• Coordinate child forensic interviews and polygraph exams
• Secure and execute search warrants and court orders, particularly for medical and digital records
• Conduct extended medical and digital research related to cases
• Collaborate with DSS, advocacy centers, and forensic medical staff
• Participate in an on-call rotation after business hours

Qualifications

• Certified Law Enforcement Officer in North Carolina (BLET required)
• Prior investigative experience preferred, especially in SVU or domestic violence cases
• Strong working knowledge of North Carolina sex offender registry laws
• Experience coordinating with DSS, child advocacy centers, and medical professionals
• Familiarity with forensic interview protocols and polygraph scheduling
• Ability to write and execute search warrants and court orders
• Strong documentation, case management, and interpersonal communication skills
• Must be available to respond to incidents after hours as part of an on-call schedule
• Willingness to commit a minimum of five years to this position due to training requirements

Preferred Training

• NCICAC training or similar cybercrime certifications
• Child Forensic Interviewing Training
• Trauma-informed interviewing techniques
• Domestic and sexual violence investigations coursework
• Elder abuse or vulnerable adult investigations
• Polygraph coordination experience

This position is highly time-consuming and emotionally demanding. Applicants should apply only if they are prepared to give 100% to the role and to the victims they will serve. Due to the extensive training and investment involved, applicants must commit to serving a minimum of five years in this assignment.

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, tasting or smelling and pushing or pulling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm's length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives, exposure to vibration and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).