Lead Investigator (Criminal Investigator V): DORA/Division of Real Estate Hybrid

Full Job Description

Hybrid Workplace Arrangement:

Although this position will be designated under the department’s hybrid workplace program, it will still be required to report to the department office on a scheduled basis and at the discretion of the supervisor, based on business needs.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

Consumer protection is our mission.

DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission.

• Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail.

• Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more!

• Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.

• Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.

• Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.

• Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Tuition assistance program.

Requirements

The Division of Real Estate (DRE) protects the consumer through licensing, regulation, and enforcement of licensed real estate professionals.

DRE aspires to create a balance between consumer protection and promotes a fair and competitive business environment.

DRE accomplishes this balance by providing a collaborative approach to regulation that is open, simple, and user-friendly.

The Investigations work unit exists to investigate complaints filed by consumers and licensees, or opened on the boards’ own motions.

The work unit ensures that investigations are completed within the Division’s prescribed deadlines and that the investigations substantiate the presence or absence of a license law violation.

The work unit protects consumers by identifying practitioners who are not in compliance with the practice act, reports its findings to the appropriate board or commission, and makes recommendations for license discipline.

Position: SIA 7723

This position oversees investigations completed by a staff of investigators, including assigning caseloads, providing guidance on how to conduct an investigation, creating investigative plans, identifying potential witnesses and sources of evidence, providing guidance on interviews and interviewing techniques, editing reports, reviewing investigations for completeness, presenting cases to regulatory boards for consideration, and testifying in court (i.e.

administrative, civil, and criminal) proceedings.

Based on a review of the findings, the position makes recommendations to the director and/or the appropriate board regarding how to resolve complaint matters.

The position manages the day-to-day operations of the work unit and is responsible for the pay, status, and tenure of employees supervised.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring no backlogs and monitoring the progress of the assigned investigations;
• Providing statistics to the Division Director;
• Consulting with the Office of the Attorney General regarding the veracity of the investigative findings;
• Providing additional evidence when necessary for cases being litigated;
• Serving as an expert on the applicable practice act;
• Referring cases to the Expedited Settlement Program for resolution;
• Referring cases to the appropriate law enforcement agencies;
• Responding to inquiries from the public and licensees regarding the practice act(s) and the division policies and procedures;
• Evaluating subordinates on an ongoing basis and memorializes performance in mid-year and annual reviews, and in compliance with DPA and DORA deadlines;
• Collaborating with other team leads to create and revise the investigative process manual to ensure that there are consistent investigative procedures in place for the investigators;
• Reviewing proposed regulations to determine if there is any impact on the work unit or the Division’s ability to enforce the proposed regulations;
• Identifying inconsistencies and gaps in rules and proposing changes to address those problems; and
• Identifying trends in enforcement and proposing regulations to the Director to address gaps in statute.
  

Qualifications

Option 1: Experience

• Ten (10) years of professional* real estate experience, which must include all of the following:
  • Managing a heavy complaint and/or investigative caseload, including working with violations of administrative, civil, and/or criminal-based statutes;
  • Presenting testimony at court hearings to provide data and information gathered during the investigative process;
  • Gathering, interpreting, and/or analyzing evidence, documents, information, and relevant facts from complex cases, and applying applicable laws.
• The ten (10) years of experience must include one (1) year performing at the level of a work leader, staff authority, unit supervisor, or equivalent.

Option 2: A Combination of Education AND Experience

• Associate’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in accounting, economics, finance, mathematics, statistics, business, communications, criminal justice, or a closely-related field; AND
• Eight (8) years of professional* real estate experience, which must include all of the following:
  • Managing a heavy complaint and/or investigative caseload, including working with violations of administrative, civil, and/or criminal-based statutes;
  • Presenting testimony at court hearings to provide data and information gathered during the investigative process;
  • Gathering, interpreting, and/or analyzing evidence, documents, information, and relevant facts from complex cases, and applying applicable laws.
• The eight (8) years of experience must include one (1) year performing at the level of a work leader, staff authority, unit supervisor, or equivalent.

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, finance, mathematics, statistics, business, communications, criminal justice, or a closely-related field; AND
• Six (6) years of professional* real estate experience, which must include all of the following:
  • Managing a heavy complaint and/or investigative caseload, including working with violations of administrative, civil, and/or criminal-based statutes;
  • Presenting testimony at court hearings to provide data and information gathered during the investigative process;
  • Gathering, interpreting, and/or analyzing evidence, documents, information, and relevant facts from complex cases, and applying applicable laws.
• The six (6) years of experience must include one (1) year performing at the level of a work leader, staff authority, unit supervisor, or equivalent.

Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part-time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Partial credit toward the degree requirement will be given for completed college/university coursework that did not result in a degree.

A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement.

*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working with and/or knowledge of broker license law, state and federal laws related to the real estate industry.
• Investigative experience, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and writing reports.
• Demonstrated experience performing investigations or compliance cases in a state government agency, law enforcement agency, and/or real estate industry.
• Experience in assigning investigation cases and overseeing investigations completed by a staff of investigators.
• Demonstrated experience working in a high-stress, high-profile environment, managing various stakeholders and discerning hidden agendas.
• Fostering cooperation under potentially stressful situations with various stakeholders.
• Analyzing, preparing, and presenting investigative cases, reporting findings, and recommending solutions to the board or commission.
• Experience in analyzing and identifying inconsistencies and gaps in legislation, and proposing changes to the legislation.

Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner;
• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;
• Demonstrated attention to detail;
• Sound judgment and the confidence to make decisions on a routine basis;
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including having the ability to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;
• Problem-solving skills, including the ability to review and analyze information in order to find solutions;
• Demonstrated creativity and flexibility, including the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and handle additional work assignments in a fast-paced work environment;
• Organizational skills, including prioritizing, planning, and time management in order to meet deadlines;
• Customer service skills, including the ability to diplomatically interact with difficult customers and de-escalate.
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Investigative skills, including the ability to determine the scope and process of an investigation;
• Leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to effectively lead a team, delegate tasks, and cultivate a respectful and successful workplace environment;
• Demonstrated ability to educate and train staff members, including explaining processes and procedures, and the ability to create resources for training and educational purposes;
• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices, and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;
• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;
• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business need and scheduled by the supervisor;
• Integrity and high ethical standards;
• Accountability, reliability, including attendance;
• Ability to maintain confidential, controversial, or sensitive information;
• Self-starter, including the ability to work independently, learn new processes, utilize own knowledge, research and find answers independently before asking others, and complete work with minimal supervision;
• Demonstrated professional demeanor;
• Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications, including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, etc.).

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.
  • A reference check may include, but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, a review of job-related public information,etc.
  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.
• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business need and scheduled by the supervisor.
• This position requires the ability to travel up to 5% of the time, including staying over weekends when required, and the ability to transport equipment, including, but not limited to, laptop computers, printers, manuals, and supplies.

Additional Information

PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

Interested individuals must submit the following online:

1. A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application).

Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

2. A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email.

Please set up your email to accept messages from info@governmentjobs.com and ‘@state.co.us’ addresses, and check your email often.

Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

3. A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review

Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies.

You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect.

Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Part of the comparative analysis process and/or the interview process may be conducted through remote video conferencing (i.e. Google Meet, Zoom, etc.)

Veterans’ Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans’ Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

PLEASE NOTE: Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness.

Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

ADAAA Accommodations: DORA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at dora_adacoordinator@state.co.us.

Check out our excellent benefits package!

While a salary range is posted for this position, an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis, which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative.

This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.