Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Section:                                  Organized Retail Theft Unit – Organized Crime Section/

Criminal Law Division

Class:                                      Special Agent Trainee/I/II

Location:                                Pittsburgh

Telework:                               This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 4 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 $53,057

                                                Special Agent I:  Starting salary of $60,652

                                                Special Agent II: Starting salary of $69,331

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.  

The primary mission of the Organized Retail Theft Unit (ORTU) is to investigate and prosecute complex criminal enterprises, comprised of both traditional and nontraditional organized crime members, involved in all criminal acts having a nexus to retail or wholesale businesses operating within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The organizations investigated and prosecuted by the Unit are involved in the commission of various predicate criminal offenses which include retail theft, organized retail theft, theft, price swapping, burglary, robbery, extortion, identity theft, credit card fraud, check fraud, return fraud, auto theft, money laundering, intimidation of witnesses, conspiracy, assault, aggravated assault, and murder.

In furthering the Section’s long-term investigations, the ORTU makes extensive use of cooperating witnesses, electronic surveillance, and the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.  The Unit maintains a close working relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s offices in the Eastern and Western Districts of Pennsylvania and has prosecuted several major organizations in federal court and also works closely with the Pennsylvania State Police’s Organized Crime Unit throughout the Commonwealth.

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, 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.

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

• Conducts complex retail theft and retail crime investigations, with proficiency in retail crime investigation management
• Works closely in collaboration with OAG prosecutors to achieve prosecutorial goals
• Conducts, and/or assists in conducting, either court approved electronic interceptions or consensual electronic surveillance
• Examines financial records, accounting ledgers, and legal documents to detect and/or confirm illegal activity
• Collects, evaluates, develops, and prepares evidence for presentation for prosecution 
• Conducts surveillances of individuals or locations
• Interviews witnesses and interrogates subjects to ascertain information, evidence, and confessions
• Makes arrests and executes searches pursuant to court-ordered warrants
• Participates in raids and undercover assignments
• Prepares criminal complaints and search warrants
• Prepares written summary reports of investigative activities and detailed reports of investigations setting forth allegations and evidence
• Collects, prepares, and submits evidence for laboratory analysis
• Appears in court before a district justice or a statewide investigating grand jury to present testimony and evidence as a prosecution witness and serves as the prosecution officer at the district justice level
• Seeks out, contacts, and develops informants to procure information relating to violations of Commonwealth laws and statutes
• Is required to qualify with an approved firearm at predetermined intervals
• Provides information for the preparation of news releases
• 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
• 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