Criminal Investigator

Overview

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) mission is to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

• Under general supervision by the Criminal Investigations Lieutenant, conducts criminal and administrative investigations as assigned, and assists in ensuring the overall safety of the agency.
• Investigates both criminal and administrative cases.
• Obtains and develops evidence and secures information for use in appropriate proceedings by conducting interrogations of suspects, victims and witnesses.
• Prepares necessary investigative reports of factual findings.
• Maintains case records, including, but not limited to, hard case files.
• Ensures and maintains a high level of credibility, confidentiality, integrity and professionalism at all times.
• As directed by the Director of Public Safety and/or Inspector General confers with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies related to inquiries and requests for information; coordinates joint investigations.
• As required, works with various levels of court administrations as well as solicitor's offices on a statewide basis related to DJJ Investigations and prosecution of defendants/respondents; prepares accurate reports, testifies to related findings regarding criminal cases, and must have concise, concrete and comprehensive oral and written skills.
• Reports and testifies to regulating boards concerning professional licenses when violations are alleged.
• Processes minor crime scenes to collect evidence and/or property related to their case appropriately, including correct labeling and packaging for reference and identification purposes.
• Maintains the evidence in a manner that ensures security from loss, theft and/or contamination.
• Ensures proper chain of custody of all items along with applicable documentation.
• Ensures documentation, processing and tracking of evidence for submission to the evidence room.
• Ensures Primary Evidence Technician is informed of evidence collection and handling to ensure Agency’s policy adherence.
• Assists when directed in patrolling assigned areas to prevent crime and detect violations of law.
• Responds to complaints, reports of violations and requests for assistance.
• Performs general police work such as maintaining order during emergencies, participating in manhunts and transporting youth/subjects.
• Issues warnings and citations to violators.
• Attends training sessions to maintain Class I certification as prescribed by SC Code-Chapter 23.
• Maintains the ability to physically perform job duties as a Class I Law Enforcement Officer.
• Performs all other job-related duties as requested by the Inspector General or his or her designee.

STATE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A high school diploma and experience performing patrol or investigative duties with a public law enforcement agency. A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for the required law enforcement experience.
• Special Requirement:
  Certification by the Law Enforcement Training Council in accordance with 23-23-40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976.

Additional Requirements

• General knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern police administration and police work.
• Ability to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies.
• Class I certification.
• Under general supervision of the Criminal Investigations Lieutenant with annually scheduled performance reviews, formal conferences and meetings as required/requested in reviewing criminal cases assigned by the Criminal Investigations Director.
• Investigators will be expected to manage their time, use of resources and caseload to meet Unit's Standard Operating Procedures.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods, operate various office equipment and computers; be able to travel on an as needed basis; be able to work in an environment with incarcerated youth; be able to reach and bend.
• As required by the Inspector General or Criminal Investigations Director, investigator is required to be on-call 24/7 unless on approved leave.
• Readily available to travel overnight by various means…