Administrative Investigator
Permanent employees in the title and those that are reachable on the civil service list are eligible to apply. This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. DCAS's mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers. From managing New York City's most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings, to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies what we do ensures that all agencies can deliver on their mission. Our reach touches every facet of city government and is instrumental to the successful day-to-day operations of the City of New York. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the critical resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
- Managing 55 public buildings.
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
- Leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.
When you work at DCAS, you're not just working for one agency, but in service of them all. It's an opportunity to provide impactful support, quality customer service, and help protect the future of New York City for generations to come. Visit our website at nyc.gov/dcas to learn more about the work we do. The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Human Capital Line of Service, Bureau of Examinations, performs responsible work in the establishment of qualifications for civil service positions, as well as in the development, validation, rating and administration of competitive civil service examinations, and certification of lists of eligible applicants. The Investigations Unit is responsible for conducting background investigations of candidates for City employment to ensure they are of good moral character and meet their respective minimum qualification requirements. Fingerprints are processed digitally to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Fiscal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the results are then reviewed by the Investigations Unit. Candidates with the most serious criminal convictions and derogatory employment information are investigated directly by DCAS for appointment, including investigations before appointment. The Bureau of Examinations is seeking to appoint one (1) Administrative Investigator (M2) to serve as the Deputy Director of the Investigations Unit. The selected candidate's responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Team Leadership & Supervision: Manage and supervise the Unit's investigative staff, including Supervising Investigators, Investigators, and Administrative Support personnel responsible for conducting background investigations to determine candidate eligibility for City employment.
- Agency Oversight & Support: Oversee and advise other City agencies on investigative techniques and best practices. Support the Director in managing staff responsible for training decentralized agency personnel in investigative processes and procedures.
- Compliance & Auditing: Ensure investigations are conducted in accordance with DCAS policies and NYC Personnel rules and regulations. Oversee periodic audits of cases completed by operating agencies to ensure compliance.
- Legal & Technical Expertise: Maintain current knowledge of legal, administrative, and procedural requirements related to background investigations and fingerprinting. Stay informed of technological advancements related to investigative systems and tools.
- System Integration: Assist with the integration of Unit functions into NYCAPS, ensuring a smooth and accurate transition of investigative processes and data.
- Administrative Operations: Manage the Administrative Support section, ensuring efficient workflow, documentation, and operational support to meet the Unit's goals and deadlines.
- Customer Service Supervision: Oversee and guide customer service operations to ensure exceptional support and satisfaction for all agency stakeholders.
- Policy & Training Development: Collaborate with the Senior Director to develop and update training manuals, internal policies, and operational guides. Lead training efforts for Unit staff and APOs.
- Case Management & Quality Control: Advise staff on complex investigations and provide technical guidance. Review, edit, and approve investigative reports and summaries for quality, accuracy, and consistency.
- Digital Transformation: Support initiatives to modernize the Unit by identifying manual processes for automations and recommending technology-based solutions.
- Recruitment & Staffing: Participate in recruitment activities including candidate interviews and hiring pools for Investigators and support personnel.
- Leadership Support: Assist in managing all functions of the Investigations Unit in the absence of the Senior Director. Perform additional duties as needed to support the operations of the Unit and the Department.
To Apply: Please go to www.nyc.gov/jobs, or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees, and search for Job ID # 724155.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time experience conducting investigations to identify or gather evidence of criminal activity or fraud, or to verify or evaluate qualifications of persons for employment or licensure, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity or supervising a staff performing investigations or related work; or
- 2. An associate degree or 60 credits from an accredited college and six years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in 1 above; or
- 3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and eight years of satisfactory experience as described in 1 above; or
- 4. Education and/or experience equivalent to 1 , 2 , or 3 above. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of experience in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity as described in 1 above.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience conducting background investigations with a strong understanding of investigatory procedures.
- Commitment to working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with fluency in English.
- Proven ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess and navigate complex or challenging situations.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and manage time effectively.
- Capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a team setting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and general computer literacy.
- Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
- Demonstrated experience in leading and managing dynamic teams successfully.
- Experience planning, managing, and executing projects from inception through implementation.
- Strong change management capabilities and adaptability.
- Ability to perform well under pressure and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
- Familiarity with City HR-related systems is a plus.
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
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
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
The City of New York 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.