Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Section:                                  Environmental Crimes Section/Criminal Law Division

Class:                                      Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Location:                                Harrisburg

Telework:                               This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week.  You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.   

Position Type:                       Full-time, Non-civil service, Union

Work Hours:                          8:30 – 5:00      

Salary Range:                        Special Agent Trainee:  Starting salary of $56,813

                                                Special Agent I:  Starting salary of $64,950

                                                Special Agent II: Starting salary of $74,255

Basic Function

The Special Agent classification involves criminal investigative work of a highly confidential nature performed by agents of the Office of Attorney General involving the detection and investigation of violations of the laws and statutes of the Commonwealth as specified in The Commonwealth Attorneys Act, the Public Welfare Code, and other applicable Commonwealth laws, statutes, and regulations.   

Agents assigned to the Environmental Crimes Section investigate violations of state environmental laws governing the processing, transportation, storage, or disposal of municipal, residual, and hazardous waste. Most criminal prosecutions are initiated pursuant to the Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Streams Law, Air Pollution Control Act, Radiation Protection Act or Oil & Gas Act. In conjunction with environmental crimes, the Section prosecutes traditional Crimes Code offenses including, but not limited to, tampering with public records, forgery, unsworn falsification, reckless endangerment, criminal conspiracy, corrupt organizations, money laundering, vandalism, deceptive business practices and theft.  Most criminal prosecutions are initiated pursuant to the Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Streams Law, Air Pollution Control Act, Radiation Protection Act, or Oil & Gas Act.  In conjunction with environmental crimes, the Section prosecutes traditional Crimes Code offenses including, but not limited to, tampering with public records, forgery, unsworn falsification, reckless endangerment, criminal conspiracy, corrupt organizations, money laundering, vandalism, deceptive business practices, and theft.

All Special Agents in the Environmental Crimes Section have extensive training in the handling of residual and hazardous waste and are required to be members of the Hazardous Environment Response Team (HERT).  

Special Agents utilize the entire spectrum of investigative processes and procedures in the conduct of or in providing assistance with the conduct of criminal investigations ranging from routine to the most sensitive, complex, and difficult cases.  A Special Agent I conducts investigations of cases of limited scope and complexity under the direction and guidance of an experienced agent and/or supervisor.  A Special Agent II may conduct an investigation independently or as a case agent coordinating the efforts of a team or as a team member and may provide direction and guidance to a less experienced agent.  Work is received from a supervisor who reviews the work product of the employee through written reports and conferences to ensure accuracy, thoroughness, and compliance to established policies and procedures and to evaluate the application and effectiveness of sound judgment.

• Examines or assists in the examination of financial records, accounting ledgers, and legal documents to detect and/or confirm illegal activity
• Collects, evaluates, develops, and prepares evidence for presentation for prosecution or provides assistance with these tasks
• Conducts or assists with the conduct of surveillance of individuals or locations
• Interviews or assists in the interviewing of witnesses and interrogation of subjects to ascertain information, evidence, and confessions
• Makes or assists in making arrests and executing searches pursuant to court-ordered warrants
• Participates in raids and undercover assignments
• Prepares or assists with the preparation of criminal complaints and search warrants
• Prepares or assists with the preparation of written summary reports of investigative activities and detailed reports of investigations setting forth allegations and evidence
• Collects, prepares, and submits evidence for laboratory analysis or provides assistance with this task
• Appears in court before a district justice or a statewide investigating grand jury to present testimony and evidence as a prosecution witness and may serve as the prosecution officer at the district justice level
• Is required to qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals
• Assists with and/or provides information for the preparation of press releases
• May be required to use a firearm in self-defense, the defense of fellow agents, the public, or to prevent the commission of felonious crimes

Qualification for Special Agent Trainee:

Applicants that do not have Act 120 certification, or a certification from an equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, but that meet the minimum experience and training for a Special Agent I or Special Agent II as outlined below, will be hired as Special Agent Trainees.  

Agent Trainees must participate in and successfully complete the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program (CITP) and must participate in the Office of Attorney General Agent Field Training Program.  

Upon successful completion of the CITP, Special Agent Trainees will be reclassified to Special Agent I or Special Agent II based on their education and investigative experience.  

Qualifications for Special Agent I and Special Agent II:

In addition to the below qualifications, applicants must have Act 120 certification, certification from an Act 120 equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, or have successfully completed the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program.

Special Agent I:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position OR
• Four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Four years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge OR
• Any equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training

Special Agent II:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and one year of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Six years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Four years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
• Six years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge including two years as a Military Police Officer with the Criminal Investigations Division or a relevant Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) OR
• Any equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training

Salary : $48,467 - $63,114