11/30/1999 70308

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT INVESTIGATOR 1

DEFINITION: This is professional investigatory work involving the enforcement of the standards of conduct, laws, rules and regulations governing various professions, occupations, businesses, commissioners and activities regulated under the authority of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Employees in this class investigate complaints regarding the conduct of business and health care practices regulated by the various licensing boards and commissions in the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Employees may also perform or be involved in investigations related to regulatory oversight of elections, campaign financing, notaries, athletic events or other regulated activities or entities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Employees in this class travel to various sites in a geographic area of the state to conduct investigations and inspections in order to detect any deviation from or lack of compliance with established standards, laws, rules, and regulations. This work involves the initial review of complaints to determine issues for investigation, establishing an investigative plan, conducting observation and surveillance, performing interviews, and gathering facts and evidence. Employees prepare reports of investigatory findings, issue citations for violations when appropriate, testify at hearings and judicial proceedings and may coordinate or participate in investigations with other law enforcement agencies. Investigations and inspections are normally performed independently. However, periodically investigative activities involving complex investigations are performed under the guidance or direction of a Professional Conduct Investigator 2 or an administrative superior. At times the Investigator may oversee or instruct Regulatory Enforcement Inspectors assigned to perform investigative support activities. In addition to investigation of complaints, work also involves routine inspections to determine compliance with the laws, rules, and regulations governing various professions, occupations, and commissioners regulated by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Work is performed under the direction of a Regional Director or administrative superior who discusses investigations in progress as needed and routinely reviews reports of completed. investigations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Travels to various sites in a geographic area of the state to conduct various types of investigations and inspections of any activities, businesses or practices regulated under the authority of the Secretary of the Commonwealth by observing, interviewing, inspecting facilities, reviewing records, gathering facts and noting any deviation from established standards.

Participates in major complex investigations of business and health care practice complaints of issues such as medical malpractice, sexual misconduct, varied multiple offenses, insurance fraud, or diversion of escrow funds as a member of a team under the leadership of a Professional Conduct Investigator 2.

Independently conducts investigations of business and health care practice complaints of a routine nature involving issues such as medical malpractice, sexual misconduct, varied multiple offenses, diversion of controlled substances, frauds, or diversion of escrow funds that do not require extensive investigation.

Plans, organizes, and coordinates investigations and confers with the supervisor or designee on their progress.

Reviews the initial complaint or assignment to determine the relevant issues.

Establishes investigative plans in accordance with established investigative methodologies and policies.

Conducts interviews of the appropriate persons utilizing established investigative interviewing techniques and methods.

Gathers needed evidence applying the rules of evidence.

Prepares clear and concise written reports detailing investigation and inspection findings in accordance with established policy.

Issues citations when violations are found in accordance with the appropriate Act(s).

Testifies at formal and informal administrative hearings and appears as a witness for the State in formal judicial proceedings.

Reads, interprets and applies all the laws, rules, and regulations of the appropriate Boards, Commissions, Bureaus, and Departments including revised rules and regulations and those required to implement new enforcement and regulatory programs.

Attends training sessions to maintain and expand knowledge and skills.

Discusses projected tasks, schedule, and progress of investigations and other matters with a Regional Director or other administrative supervisor.

May occasionally perform investigative fieldwork to assist Investigators responsible for investigations of charitable organizations.

Performs related duties as required and directed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of investigative methodologies and techniques.

Knowledge of the rules of evidence.

Knowledge of investigative interviewing techniques and methods.

Ability to establish investigative plans in accordance with established investigative methodologies and policies.

Ability to conduct investigative interviews and gather needed evidence consistent with applicable rules, policies and procedures.

Ability to prepare clear, concise inspection and investigative reports in accordance with established policy and rules of basic English grammar.

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate routine investigations.

Ability to perform investigative activities in support of complex investigations.

Ability to travel to various sites in the state.

Ability to review and analyze complaints and assignments and determine the relevant issues.

Ability to issue citations, in accordance with the Act 48 Citation Program, when violations are found.

Ability to testify at formal and informal hearings and appear as a witness for the State in formal judicial proceedings.

Ability to establish appropriate contacts, schedule appointments and coordinate work related matters.

Ability to learn and apply the laws, rules, and regulations of the appropriate Boards, Commissions, Bureaus, and Departments.

Ability to effectively coordinate and discuss projected tasks and progress of pending investigations with supervisor.

Ability to operate general office equipment.

Ability to perform related duties as required and directed.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: Two years as a Regulatory Enforcement Inspector;

                                                                                                                                                                                          or

Five years of investigative experience;

                                                                                                                                                                                          or

One year of investigative experience and a bachelor's degree.

                                                                                                                                                                                          or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training that included one year of investigative experience.