Special Investigator Senior

Job Summary

The Senior Special Investigator oversees the internal investigative process as it relates to allegations of abuse and neglect involving Hillside staff and youth. This position ensures that investigations are completed accurately, efficiently, and in adherence to Hillside and State Oversight Agencies (SOA) policies and regulations. The Senior Special Investigator provides supervision, consultation and skills-based training to other Special Investigator(s), and assigns investigations to investigators as appropriate.

Essential Job functions

• Conduct investigations into allegations of abuse/ neglect or significant incidents delegated to Hillside by the Office of Mental Health (OMH) or Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

• Conduct investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect incidents involving staff in programs not under the jurisdiction of the NYS Justice Center as needed.

• Respond to inquiries from OMH, OPWDD, NYS Justice Center, or local/state law enforcement regarding an allegation of abuse or neglect. 

• Conduct witness interviews and take witness statements. 

• Collect evidence by gather and review all pertinent documents, letters, email or other communications, damaged property, photos, audio or video files, etc. 

• Compile and retain investigative information in an orderly, organized and confidential manner. 

• Write investigative reports in objective, thorough, and concise manner.

• Draw conclusions resulting from investigations in an unbiased, impartial, rational, and objective way.

• Remain knowledgeable in Hillside policies and keeps abreast of regulations, reporting requirements and methodology to perform accurate investigations.

• Participate in Special Review Team (SRT) and Developmental Opportunities Services Special Incident Review Committee (DO Services SIRC) meetings to review assigned investigations.

• Assist in hiring and provide on-going supervision of Special Investigators.

• Teach investigative techniques and develop investigator skill set.

• Oversee on-going internal investigations of child abuse/neglect.

• Provide mentoring and assistance to Special Investigators or designees with current investigations. 

• Review, edit, and offer constructive feedback on all internal investigative reports completed by Special Investigators.

• Assign investigations to Special Investigators, or designees, based on availability and skillset. Monitor workflow.

• Maintain an accurate database of all internal investigations completed throughout Hillside.

• Inform Hillside leadership of SOA and New York State Justice Center changes to laws and policies regarding investigations.

• Establish policies and standard operating procedures for the Hillside internal investigation process.

• Facilitate the discussion and all relevant follow up of the investigatory review at Special Review.

• Facilitate Special Review Team meetings as needed.

• While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required with minimum 3 years of experience in child and family human services or related fields required; or

• Associate’s degree (e.g., paralegal studies) required with minimum 5 years of relevant investigative, legal support, compliance, or related experience required (e.g., collecting and reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing records, preparing investigative reports, or supporting administrative or legal proceedings, and etc.)

-AND-

• Minimum 2 years of experience with investigations involving vulnerable persons required

• Minimum 1 year of leadership experience required

Special Requirements

• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships and Optimizes Decision Making, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:

• Must possess excellent writing skills and the ability to communic