ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATOR, R22

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned duties involving the investigation of environmental crimes including unlawful transportation, disposal or abandonment of hazardous wastes.  This includes coordinating investigations with other environmental and law enforcement agencies.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Investigates felonies and misdemeanors related to the environment.
• Maintains surveillance of alleged criminal activity.
• Interviews witnesses and suspects to obtain facts and evidence from the scene.
• Collects and preserves samples and evidence from the scene; maintains related records.
• Gathers, analyzes and evaluates information collected; prepares written reports of all investigations.
• Conducts or attends law enforcement, hazardous materials and environmental seminars and workshops.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The Environmental Investigator job family has two levels which are distinguished by the complexity of assignments, the level of expertise required to perform the duties assigned, and the responsibility for providing leadership to others.

Level I:                                                Code:  R22A                             Salary Band:   J

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibility for performing a wide-range of tasks at the full-performance level in the investigation of environmental crimes.  This includes assisting other law enforcement officers in completing investigations; coordinating with local law enforcement agencies on investigations; and participating in filing charges and making arrests.  They will also be assigned responsibility for conducting background investigations of persons or businesses making application to conduct environmental business in the state.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of criminal and other investigative techniques; of Oklahoma law pertaining to environmental crimes; of search and seizure, arrest procedures and rules of evidence; of state and federal environmental laws and regulations; of public relations pertaining to investigative activities; of sample collection; and of accounting and business records.  Ability is required to conduct several investigations simultaneously; to gather, interpret and evaluate information obtained; to collect samples; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; and to organize and present facts and opinions clearly and concisely.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, environmental science or a related field and three years of professional law enforcement experience investigating crimes against the environment or in criminal investigative work or an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one additional year of experience for each year of the required education.

NOTE:  No substitution is allowed for the required three years of professional experience.  Professional experience in the fields listed must have been the primary job responsibility to be considered qualifying.  Incidental performance of professional work shall not be considered qualifying.

Level II:                                               Code:  R22B                             Salary Band:   K

This is the leadership level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibility for supervising and conducting investigations of environmental crimes, including planning, directing and coordinating investigatory programs within the agency and across jurisdictional lines.  Employees will plan and evaluate training programs for investigators, program personnel and law enforcement.  Positions are assigned responsibility for the supervision of Environmental Investigators and support staff, including reviewing and assigning work, providing training and evaluating performance.  Some positions may provide direct supervision which includes additional responsibilities for employee development, approving leave and initiating disciplinary actions, as well as performing related administrative functions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus additional knowledge of supervisory principles and practices and ability to supervise several investigations simultaneously.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus two additional years of the qualifying experience.

NOTE:  No substitution is allowed for the required five years of professional experience.  Professional experience in the fields listed must have been the primary job responsibility to be considered qualifying.  Incidental performance of professional work shall not be considered qualifying.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Statutory Requirement 27A O.S. Supp. 1993, Section 2-3-501D states:  “The Executive Director may appoint commissioned peace officers, certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, to investigate environmental crimes.”

Applicants must possess the ability and willingness to travel frequently and be away from home for extended periods of time; the willingness to carry a firearm and use deadly force as required; must have and maintain the physical and mental stamina required to perform the duties of the position and to accept the physical discomforts and/or dangers inherent in the work as evidenced by a complete physical examination that meets the specifications of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; and be willing to be on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.