Description

The Consumer Protection (CP) Section is seeking an experienced investigator to work with a team dedicated to protecting Colorado consumers from fraud and other unfair and deceptive trade practices, including price fixing, monopolization and other unlawful market manipulations. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of complex cases and collaborate with attorneys and paralegals committed to an important and fulfilling mission. Your casework will have a valuable impact on the community while also offering work-life balance. If you're interested in joining a dynamic team of public servants, apply today!

The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the "People's Lawyer." The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: "Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all." Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together.
Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.

About the Unit: The work of the Investigations Unit in the Consumer Protection Section involves a hybrid of criminal and civil law enforcement. The Unit conducts investigations of unlawful conduct statewide, often coordinating with other law enforcement and regulatory agencies within Colorado and outside of the State, including County District Attorneys, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Unit supports complaint triage and case development as primary functions and provides training and technical assistance to other law enforcement agencies and promotes and participates in a variety of consumer outreach and educational efforts.

About the Position: The Compliance Investigator II evaluates and follows-up on consumer complaints that come to the DOL through various channels but primarily though www.stopfraudcolorado.gov. The position conducts investigations of consumer fraud and violations of other Consumer Protection Laws, analyzes intake and referral information to determine the existence of Consumer Protection violations, scope and pattern of unlawful activity, and direction of the investigation before making recommendations about next steps. In a multi-person investigation, this position will often act as the case manager/team leader who is responsible for case file management, data management, case flow from inception to disposition, and overall investigative strategy.

Case Investigation

• Identify and investigate violations of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) and several other state statutes related to consumer protection and economic crime
• Analyze consumer complaints and develop investigative strategies
• Interview complainants, witnesses, proprietors, and others to obtain information relating to the investigation for enforcement and compliance
• Conduct background investigations of suspects and suspect businesses (research and collect public and non-public records, collect financial records, conduct complex financial analysis, compile spreadsheets (or similar) to summarize financial data, and interview witnesses and suspects)
  Maintain chain of custody and viability of evidence
• Share information, case intelligence, and coordination with other interested agencies on a state, local, and federal level
• Prepare witnesses, exhibits, and physical evidence for trial; testifies and advises the assigned attorney at court and other proceedings

Real Estate/Mortgage Fraud Investigation

• Conduct Consumer Protection investigations related to real estate transactions, including sales practices by real estate brokers, appraisals, mortgage lending, and foreclosure relief programs
• Serve as the Compliance Investigator in the area of mortgage lending practices and loan audit to ensure compliance with all state and federal laws
• Identify, locate, and interview consumers, witnesses, industry professionals, and other relevant parties to obtain evidence supporting potential violations of the CCPA involving real estate transactions, appraisals, mortgage lending, and foreclosure relief programs
• Receive, analyze, organize, and evaluate documentary, financial, and electronic evidence to establish facts, identify patterns of unlawful conduct, and support enforcement actions involving real estate transactions, appraisals, mortgage lending, and foreclosure relief programs

Case and Data Management/Report Writing

• Analyze and synthesize data or financial records and summarize findings into clear, concise, and accurate reports, charts, PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, and graphs, and affidavits which reflect the information obtained during an investigation
• Write and organize comprehensive reports of investigations, affidavits, warrants and victim/witness/suspect statements
• Independently or in collaboration with team members prepares charts, PowerPoints, spreadsheets, and graphs which reflect the information obtained during an investigation

Lead Investigator and/or Team Leader

• Serve as an advisory witness in Preliminary Hearings, Motions Hearings, and Court Trials, including assisting the assigned CP Attorney/Prosecutor to fully prepare for litigation by organizing the case for presentation, including testifying, preparing exhibits and witnesses
• Provide investigative, supervisory, and logistical assistance on assigned cases
• Focus effort between and among law enforcement agencies in multi-jurisdictional investigative projects agency law enforcement partners
• Serve as a specialized expert for other law enforcement and regulatory agencies in matters related to consumer protection

Outreach and Education

• Provide instructional services, technical advice, and training to other governmental agencies

Salary note: Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in the Department of Law, Consumer Protection.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Substitutions

Experience Only:

Requires six (6) years of professional experience in investigation either as an investigator, investigative journalist, auditor or fraud specialist, or other field where you were responsible for conducting investigations. This experience must include review of initial complaints, follow up investigation, final recommendation, and further compliance.

OR

Education and Experience: Requires a combination of full-time college course work from an accredited institute in criminal justice, public administration, or other closely related college course work AND/OR professional experience in investigation either as an investigator, investigative journalist, auditor or fraud specialist, or other field where you were responsible for conducting investigations totaling six years. This experience must include review of initial complaints, follow up investigation, final recommendation, and further compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the preferred applicant will also demonstrate and clearly describe the following skills and experience in their job application:

• Working knowledge of real estate transactions, appraisals, mortgage lending and foreclosure relief programs
• Experience with complex long-term investigations, determining investigation strategy, assembling evidence for case development and enforcement through prosecution or other compliance regulation
• Knowledge and experience investigating consumer fraud or financial investigations
• Certified Fraud Examiner
• Ability to compile and evaluate complex sets of data using spreadsheets, databases or other tools
• Experience with on-line research and background assessment tools
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent judgment and decision making
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• Qualified applicants must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license
• This unit offers flexible work arrangements. New employees are generally expected to work in-office a minimum of one day per week. Additional flexibility will be considered for employees after a successful onboarding and training period. Please note, flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.
• Position may need to travel and/or stay overnight (several days or weeks are possible) to accomplish testifying and/or participating in court proceedings in various jurisdictions, conduct investigative follow-up (interviews, gathering evidence, etc.) as well as participating in and/or providing training to others.
• Position may be required, sometimes on short notice, to work outside of regular business hours, including possible early mornings, evenings, weekend, and overnight assignments as necessary to conduct fast-paced investigations and prepare for trial.