law enforcement narcotics agent

basic purpose:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving criminal and administrative investigations related to the enforcement of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act. 

Typical functions:

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

·          Investigates violations of state laws concerning narcotics, dangerous drugs, or other controlled substances; makes arrests, participates in undercover operations, raids and surveillance of persons or targeted locations or where it is believed that the law is being violated.

·          Gathers and analyzes information; searches for and gathers physical or documentary evidence or clues; interviews witnesses; interrogates suspects; obtains signed statements and affidavits; prepares investigative reports and case records; presents findings in clear, logical, impartial and properly documented reports.

·          Assists prosecutors in filing charges; appears as a witness in criminal and administrative court proceedings; drafts and executes legal documents for use in criminal and administrative investigations, subpoenas for evidence, search warrants, arrest warrants and affidavits.

·          Examines physical security safeguards and accounting procedures of persons registered to manufacture, receive, hold and dispense controlled dangerous substances.

·          Participates in in-service training; studies professional material relating to new investigative procedures and techniques; studies legal materials relating to court rulings and state and federal law; attends training sessions to acquire new skills.

·          Operates and monitors electronic surveillance equipment; operates computers and computer software.

level descriptors:

The Law Enforcement Narcotics Agent job family consists of six levels which are distinguished based on the level of complexity of assigned tasks, the expertise required to complete assigned work, and the responsibilities assigned for the leadership of others.

Level I                                                    Code:  G24A                                                       Salary Band:  I

This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities involving beginning level work in conducting criminal and other investigations. In this role they will exercise the general powers of a law enforcement officer while receiving training to conduct investigations of criminal violations of Oklahoma state laws concerning the use of controlled drugs and other substances.  Duties are performed under close supervision to build their skills in conducting investigations, collecting and preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, interrogating suspects, and completing other related activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the principles and techniques of investigation; of state and federal laws pertaining to controlled dangerous substances; of laws, court decisions, and rules pertaining to search and seizure, invasion of privacy, arrest, and rules of evidence; of the scope, applications, and interpretation of laws and regulations relating to investigating records, reports, and other documents; of laws and regulations relating to investigating, interviewing, and interrogating witnesses, suspects, and informants; and of firearm safety practices.  Ability is required to analyze, interpret and evaluate information obtained; to recognize, collect and preserve physical evidence and controlled dangerous substances; to subdue persons; to protect oneself, associates and others; to organize and present facts and opinions clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to use a firearm; to cope with stressful and/or potentially dangerous situations; to handle confidential work with tact and discretion; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies.

Education and Experience requirements at this level are statutory (Title 63 O.S., Section 2-103B) ”...agents shall be at least twenty-one years of age and shall have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.”

Level II                                                   Code:  G24B                                                       Salary Band:  J

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level for performing a full range of basic criminal investigative duties pertaining to the enforcement of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act.  This involves completing all required activities to investigate violations of applicable laws, participate in undercover operations, raids and surveillance operations, gather and analyze evidence, interview witnesses, interrogate suspects, and other related duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus the ability to carry out undercover work assignments; to evaluate the reliability and credibility of statements and witnesses; to write reports where facts are presented clearly and concisely; and to complete any necessary training required by the agency.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I and one year of drug enforcement experience.

Level III                                                  Code:  G24C                                                       Salary Band: K

This is the specialist level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities as a senior agent involving advanced level criminal investigative work including coordinating and participating in major investigations and specialized criminal investigations, acting as a lead worker on investigations, providing training or guidance to lower level agents, or similar duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of covert investigations; of agency policies and procedures; of the investigative jurisdiction of the agency; and of the use of electronic surveillance equipment; and ability to conduct a wide range of investigations and to guide and direct the work of others in completing assigned investigations or other activities.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus one additional year of qualifying experience.   

Level IV                                                 Code:  G24D                                                       Salary Band:  L

This is the leadership level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities as an assistant agent-in-charge and are responsible for assisting in the planning, directing and coordinating of investigations of a district office or supervision of a major program.  This will include first level supervision of lower-level agents in conducting and completing investigations and other activities.  It may also include conducting criminal investigations and performing other tasks assigned to subordinate agents.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of public relations pertaining to investigative activities; of supervisory principles and practices; and of safety and training practices.  Ability is required to supervise the activities of investigative and support personnel.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

Level V                                                  Code:  G24E                                                       Salary Band:  M

At this level employees are assigned overall responsibility for administering and directing a district office as an agent-in-charge or responsibilities as a program manager as an agent-in-charge assisting one of the division administrators in the Oklahoma City office.  In this role, they will assist in planning and scheduling the work to be done, supervise lower-level agents in conducting and completing investigations, provide on-the-job and in-service training for agents, monitor and evaluate investigations, evaluate the ability of agents to deal with stress and danger, complete employee performance evaluations, and supervise civilian support personnel as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level IV plus ability to coordinate information and investigations with other jurisdictions and within the agency; to plan and organize investigations or searches; to determine interrelationships among data; and to write reports where facts are presented accurate in a concise, logical, and objective manner.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level IV plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

Level VI                                                 Code:  G24F                                                       Salary Band:  O

At this level, employees are assigned responsibilities as the Director of major programs assigned to a division of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission.  In this role they will chart the division’s course-of-action by performing administrative functions in planning, coordinating, and evaluating major division programs, establish division goals and objectives, review the overall effectiveness of division programs and recommend necessary changes for improvement, complete program needs assessments, participate as a member of the administrative staff in the development of agency policy and procedures; represent the agency at meetings and hearings, and perform other similar functions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level V plus knowledge of agency goals, missions, policies, and procedures; and of public administration; and the ability to plan, coordinate and evaluate the activities of multiple work units engaged in a broad range of functions; and to interpret, analyze, and resolve highly complex administration and personnel problems.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level V plus three additional years of qualifying experience in a supervisory capacity.

Note:  Drug enforcement experience must have been full-time paid employment where the individual's primary responsibility was actively conducting investigations related to the enforcement of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act. Incidental patrol and general detective assignments of drug investigations shall not be accepted as qualifying drug enforcement experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must possess a valid Oklahoma driver's license at the time of appointment; possess the ability and willingness to carry a firearm and use deadly force as required; have and maintain physical and mental stamina to perform the work, as evidenced by a complete physical examination that meets the specifications of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics; possess a willingness to accept the physical discomforts and/or dangers inherent in the work; be willing to relocate to the place of assignment anywhere in the state; be willing to be on call twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven days a week; be willing to travel frequently and be away from home for extended periods of time; must pass a rigid character and background investigation, a physical fitness test, and polygraph examination.