Special Agent

Agency

Dept of Insurance

Division

Industrial Commission

Job Classification Title

Industrial Commission Investigator (S)

Position Number

65020434

Grade

SW05

About Us

The mission of the North Carolina Department of Insurance is to promote a stable insurance market through unbiased regulation and to protect the lives and property of every citizen in all 100 counties while fostering superior, user-friendly service, courtesy, and respect. Our agency licenses insurance agents, adjusters, bail bondsmen and more, along with investigating fraud matters involving insurance consumers and any entity or individual regulated by the Department. In an ever-changing environment, it is the vision of the Department of Insurance to maintain the stabilization of the insurance industry in order to provide more products, competitive prices and consumer protection.

Description of Work

Mission Statement of the Industrial Commission

The North Carolina Industrial Commission is vested by the General Assembly with exclusive and original jurisdiction to adjudicate and administer the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act. The Industrial Commission processes over 65,000 workers' compensation injury reports and claims filed annually under the Act. This responsibility includes overseeing and providing for the trial of contested cases, as well as administering non-contested cases. Workers who are injured by accident on the job or who contract an occupational disease receive disability and medical benefits as ordered by the Industrial Commission. The Industrial Commission is also a court of original jurisdiction for litigating tort claims against the State under the North Carolina State Tort Claims Act. Additionally, the General Assembly has mandated that the Industrial Commission provide an adjudicatory process for claims filed under the Childhood Vaccine-Related Injury Program and claims filed under the Compensation to Persons Erroneously Convicted of Felonies Act. It acts as a court of exclusive and final jurisdiction for death claims arising under the Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act made by dependents of law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue squad workers, and civil air patrol members. Each of these adjudicatory systems requires the administration of contested and uncontested claims, the review of agreements, and the supervision of the payment of benefits.

For more information regarding the NC Industrial Commission visit: https://www.ic.nc.gov/

Industrial Commission Investigator (65020434)
Salary Recruitment Range $48,920-$63,176
Salary Grade: SW05
This position currently qualifies as a field-based position with no office requirements. The work of a field-based employee is mostly performed by traveling across various locations within a region to conduct investigations.
The posting will close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the closing date.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit
The Criminal Investigations Section of the North Carolina Industrial Commission operates as a law enforcement agency and is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into cases of suspected workers’ compensation fraud, employee misclassification, and violations related to workers’ compensation claims involving employees, employers, insurers, health care providers, attorneys, and vocational rehabilitation providers. Criminal Investigators investigate all criminal complaints filed with the Industrial Commission regarding failure of employers to maintain workers’ compensation insurance (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-94(d), fraud on the part of employees with regard to the collection or obtaining of workers’ compensation benefits (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-88.2), fraud on the part of employers with regard to payment or collection of workers’ compensation premiums from employees’ salaries (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-21), medical payment fraud (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-88.3), and any other claims arising out of violations of Chapter 97 by employees or employers. The Criminal Investigations Section works with judicial officials and other law enforcement agencies throughout the State to resolve the above investigations in criminal court.

The Criminal Investigations Section collaborates with the Industrial Commission’s Employee Classification Section to proactively identify and investigate employee misclassification, thus helping ensure compliance with the North Carolina Employee Fair Classification Act and North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.

Primary Purpose of the Position
The primary purpose of the Special Agent is to work as a law enforcement officer in the Criminal Investigations and Employee Classification Division and assist with the investigation of statutory violations related to workers’ compensation fraud and failure to obtain and maintain workers’ compensation insurance or qualify as a self-insured employer. The Special Agent utilizes law enforcement skills to identify, collect, analyze, and preserve evidence of workers' compensation crimes, with a focus on detecting and deterring violations. The Special Agent’s work involves responding to and investigating complaints received by email or phone, identifying statutory violations, collecting and preserving evidence, testifying in court proceedings as necessary, and performing related work. During an investigation, the Special Agent is often required to review and analyze evidence, including various types of documents and other records that may be in written and/or electronic form. The Special Agent also is often required to interview and question multiple individuals who may have relevant information related to the investigation. It is essential that the Special Agent possess and maintain a current working knowledge of relevant criminal statutes and case law, including but not limited to the statutes and case law regarding arrest, search and seizure, and any other statutes and case law that apply to conducting criminal investigations.

The Special Agent has jurisdiction to conduct Statewide investigations, but this position will primarily conduct investigations in the Central Region of North Carolina. At the time of hire, or no later than 12 months from the Special Agent’s first day of employment, the Special Agent is required to reside in one of the counties listed below:

Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, or Yadkin.

The Special Agent’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting criminal investigations into violations of the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act
• Completing accurate and detailed felony reports
• Providing testimony during court proceedings
• Maintaining a professional relationship with external and internal stakeholders
• Attempting service of process of Industrial Commission Orders to Appear

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• Demonstrated experience performing and conducting criminal investigations as a Detective or Special Agent.
• Demonstrated experience in proper techniques for conducting criminal investigations, apprehending criminal
suspects, and supporting the prosecution of individuals and/or corporate entities committing crimes.
• Demonstrated experience in gathering and analyzing evidence and presenting the investigative findings in an
organized manner for potential prosecution.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of progressive law enforcement including investigative and case preparation experience in the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Must meet certification as a Law Enforcement Officer in accordance with the provisions of the NC Criminal
Justice Education and Training Standards Commission or the ability to achieve certification within one year of employment, including any annual training requirement.

Benefits of NC State Employment:

We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits include:

• 12 Annual paid Holidays
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by AETNA 
• Supplemental Benefits including: Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental and Vision
• NC State Retirement (TSERS)
• WeSave Employee Discounts

Learn more about employee perks/benefits:

• Why Work For NC?
• NC OSHR: Benefits

Supplemental and Contact Information:

For consideration for this vacancy, all applicants must complete an online application using the “APPLY” button above.

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the State Application. Any information omitted from your application cannot be considered for qualifying credit.

***Applications with "see attached" or resumes in lieu of completed education and work experience on the formal application will be deemed incomplete and will not be eligible for consideration for the vacancy***

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. 

The Department of Insurance/Industrial Commission may conduct criminal history checks of all job applicants recommended for employment. Failure to accurately acknowledge information on criminal convictions on the state application form will be grounds for non-consideration of applications, disciplinary action, and possible criminal prosecution.
  
The Department of Insurance/Industrial Commission is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and uses the merit-based recruitment and selection plan to fill positions subject to the State Personnel Act with the most qualified individuals.

• Academic Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions and will be verified. If you are selected for a position at DOI/IC, your academic credentials will be verified.
• Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax.
• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference under N.C.G.S .126 must submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. This information may be attached to the online application or be faxed on or before the closing date.

Applicants may check the status of their application for a vacancy at any time by logging in to the government jobs system. Once the applicant has logged in, the status of each submitted application is documented next to each vacancy for which they have applied.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Gretchen Marie Senez

Recruiter Email:

GRETCHEN.SENEZ@NCDOI.GOV