Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Section:                   Human Trafficking Section/Criminal Law Division

Class:                       Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Location:                 Harrisburg

Telework:                 Limited ad-hoc telework opportunities available with supervisor approval 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 $59,316

                                 Special Agent I:  Starting salary of $67,119

                                 Special Agent II: Starting salary of $75,924

Basic Function

The Special Agent classification involves criminal investigative work of a highly confidential nature performed by agents of the Office of Attorney General (OAG) involving the detection and investigation of violations of the laws and statutes of the Commonwealth as specified in The Commonwealth Attorney’s Act, the Public Welfare Code, and other applicable Commonwealth laws, statutes, and regulations.  An employee in this position utilizes the entire spectrum of investigative processes and procedures while conducting investigations ranging from routine to the most sensitive, complex, and difficult cases.  Dependent upon assignments, the employee may conduct an investigation independently or work in a team setting.  Assignments may require that the employee work irregular hours and/or an irregular work week and may also necessitate travel throughout the Commonwealth, and on occasion, other jurisdictions.  Work is received from a supervisor who reviews complaints and criminal referrals and assigns investigations accordingly.  The employee’s work product is reviewed by their supervisor through written reports, discussions, and conferences to ensure accuracy, thoroughness, and compliance to established policies and procedures and to evaluate the application of effectiveness, sound judgement, and safety. 

The Human Trafficking Section is a group of specially trained agents, prosecutors, and support personnel tasked with investigating all types of human trafficking – including both sex and labor trafficking.   Agents in the Human Trafficking Section will be engaged in investigating the conduct of complex corrupt organizations, intelligence gathering, digital evidence collection, interviews, interrogations, identifying and recruiting confidential informants, and identifying and developing criminal cases for investigations.  Human Trafficking agents will collaborate closely with law enforcement officials at a federal, state, county, and local level.  When appropriate, the Human Trafficking Section will utilize the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury in furthering the Section’s long-term/complex investigations.  The Statewide Investigating Grand Jury convenes in the Office of Attorney General’s Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Norristown offices.

A Special Agent I could perform the below duties under the direction and guidance of an experienced agent and/or supervisor.  A Special Agent II could perform the below duties independently.

• Conducts criminal investigations independently applying the entire spectrum of investigative processes and procedures
• Collects, evaluates, develops, and prepares evidence for presentation for prosecution 
• Conducts, and/or assists in conducting, either court approved electronic interceptions or consensual electronic surveillance
• Interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects and then accurately and timely documents these interviews
• Makes arrests and executes searches pursuant to court-ordered warrants
• Participates in raids and undercover assignments
• Prepares criminal complaints, search warrants, affidavits, and written summary reports of investigative activities and findings
• Documents, collects, and submits evidence for investigative purposes, and when appropriate, submits evidence for laboratory analysis
• Appears in court to present testimony and evidence as a prosecution witness
• Seeks out, contacts, and develops informants to obtain information relating to violations of laws and statutes of the Commonwealth
• Assists with, and/or provides information for, the preparation of press releases pertaining to significant cases and/or events
• Evaluates informational sources to determine their reliability
• Develops and maintains positive partnerships with federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies
• Works closely with OAG attorneys to achieve prosecutorial goals
• Conducts surveillance of individuals and/or locations
• Is required to qualify with an approved firearm(s) at predetermined intervals
• May be required to use a firearm in self-defense, the defense of fellow agents or the public, or to prevent the commission of felonious crimes
• May provide direction and guidance to a less experienced agent
• Other duties as required

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

• Experience investigating human trafficking cases
• Experience with complex criminal organization investigations – including wiretap investigations and the use of the Grand Jury
• The ability to develop contacts and relationships with victim advocates and other stakeholders involved in human trafficking cases
• The ability to develop contacts and relationships within the Office of Attorney General and work with multiple sections, including Organized Crime, Child Predator, and Labor Fraud & Enforcement