Investigative Specialist

Duties Description

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Higher Education is seeking candidates for an Investigative Specialist 1 position in the Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA). This Office is responsible for investigating complaints concerning allegations about the moral character of individuals who hold or are applicants for NYS teaching certificates. OSPRA provides administrative support for due process hearings for tenured teachers pursuant to Education Law, Section 3020. OSPRA is also responsible for determining whether employment clearances for school district officials should be issued based upon fingerprint supported criminal history background checks. Duties of these positions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and evaluate moral character complaints and interview complainants, school officials, subjects and witnesses;
• Correspond with applicants, school districts, members of the public, courts, police departments and other law enforcement entities regarding fingerprinting and case investigations;
• Maintain a working relationship with all law enforcement agencies and secure court records relating to fingerprinting and case investigations;
• Collect, review and evaluate evidence, including criminal history records;
• Participate in case and witness preparation and testify at administrative hearings;
• Review, interpret and summarize New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background records;
• Review criminal history responses in relation to clearance determinations for fingerprinting and case investigations;
• Complete clearance and/or denial recommendations in accordance with NYS Correction Law standards; and
• Write investigative reports and maintain and update TEACH and database records.

Minimum Qualifications

Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent non-competitive service as an Investigative Specialist 1.

Section 70.1 Transfer to Investigative Specialist 1: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in any of the following titles: Investigative Officer 1, Investigative Officer 1 Spanish Language, Investigative Specialist 1 Cannabis, Investigative Specialist 1 Lbr Stnds, Investigative Specialist 1 Lbr Stnds Spanish L, Investigative Specialist 1 Narcotics.

For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website.

Non-Competitive Appointment

Investigative Specialist 1 Appointment Level Requirements

• Investigative Specialist Trainee 1, NS (equated to SG-14): four years of investigative experience* OR an associate degree and two years of investigative experience* OR a bachelor’s degree or higher
• Investigative Specialist Trainee 2 (equated to SG-16): five years of investigative experience* OR an associate degree and three years of investigative experience* OR a bachelor’s degree or higher and one year of investigative experience*.
• Investigative Specialist 1, SG-18: six years of qualifying experience OR an associate’s degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, or homeland security AND four years of qualifying experience; OR a bachelor’s or higher degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, or homeland security AND two years of qualifying experience.**
• Investigative Experience is defined as gathering and securing information and evidence from a variety of sources through independent, non-structured activities including the preparation and submission of detailed narrative reports describing the method of gathering the evidence and the results of the investigations. Experience in auditing, interviewing, building security surveillance, traffic enforcement, or performing routine inspections or surveys will NOT be considered investigative experience.
• Qualifying Experience: Experience in a field investigative position conducting interviews of witnesses and others, taking written statements and affidavits, collecting and analyzing physical and documentary evidence, and preparing detailed written reports of investigative findings.

Types of Investigative experience that could be considered qualifying: Experience in such positions as police detective, insurance investigator, licensed and registered private investigator, federal investigator, state investigator, municipal investigator, child protective services investigator, in an investigative position involving trial preparations and detailed reports, and investigations within a branch of the Armed Services are examples which meet the Minimum Qualifications.

Examples of Non-Qualifying Investigative Experience includes but may not be limited to: Experience in routine police patrol work, security guard or related security position, tax collector, collector of delinquent accounts, credit checker, legal assistant/attorney, hotel or store detective, loss prevention officer, parole officer, correction officer, guard, inspector, or experience in adoption and/or foster care placement.

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.

Additional Comments

This will be a contingent, non-competitive appointment. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree and/or work experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office. This position will require 2% in-state/Statewide travel. Fingerprinting through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Criminal Justice Services is required for employment. Fees associated with this process are at the Department’s expense.

This position may be filled as a traineeship. The starting salaries for this position are outlined below. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire. Candidates appointed at the trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary.

• $53,764 (Trainee 1- NS equated to SG-14)
• $59,994 (Trainee 2- NS equated to SG-16)
• $66,951 (Full Performance level SG-18)

This position leads to a maximum salary of $85,138 based on annual performance and traineeship advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by June 10, 2026 to ***email_hidden*** (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OEP-226/00293) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.

New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.

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Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:

Holiday & Paid Time Off

• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA/NYSCOPBA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.

Health Care Benefits

• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits

• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Opportunities for telecommuting.
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.