FINANCIAL INVESTIGATOR-CONSUMER PROTECTION

Requisition No: 826047

Agency: Office of the Attorney General

Working Title: FINANCIAL INVESTIGATOR-CONSUMER PROTECTION - 41000562

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 41000562

Salary: $51,898 - $54,690 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 04/27/2024

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Our Organization and Mission: The Office represents the State of Florida in state and federal civil and criminal courts, from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Position Summary: The Consumer Protection Division’s mission is to protect consumers from fraud and other financial exploitation, to prevent and stop unfair and deceptive business practices, and to accomplish this mission without undermining the competitive process of trade and commerce. The Office of the Attorney General, State of Florida, is seeking experienced investigative candidates passionate about protecting Florida’s citizens and businesses. This is a civil enforcement position that will work to bring investigations through successful civil litigation or settlement and may involve referring cases with criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The candidate will conduct complex investigations relative to consumer protection cases. These investigations may include allegations of unfair and deceptive trade practices, consumer fraud, asset forfeiture, organized schemes to defraud, and fraud committed using the internet or other digital means.

The Consumer Protection Division is the civil enforcement authority for all multi-circuit violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA; FL Stat 501, Part II). The Division’s attorneys, investigators and support staff protect Florida consumers and businesses by pursuing individuals and entities that engage in unfair methods of competition or unconscionable, deceptive, and unfair practices in any trade or commerce. The Division also often partners with other state attorneys general and state and federal enforcement agencies in joint enforcement efforts. In conjunction with its authority under FDUTPA, the Division also has authority to enforce several related statutes including the civil provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, through which the Division, where appropriate, pursues the conduct of “enterprises” engaged in continuing patterns of statutorily enumerated illegal activities, such as fraud, theft, and misleading advertising. The Consumer Protection Division is the state’s civil enforcement authority related to Price Gouging (FL Stat 501.160) during a declared state of emergency. The Attorney General also has direct enforcement authority of other state laws related to consumer protection and certain federal rules and statutes related to consumer protection. Follow this link for more information: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/18A7753257FE439085256CC9004EC4F7

Pay: $51,898 - $54,690 Annually

Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and five years of investigative or law enforcement experience conducting criminal, civil, or administrative investigations or examinations, which must include a minimum of two years of experience with financial investigations, financial examinations or analysis or other related financial investigative experience, or complex organized crime or RICO investigative experience.

A master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Experience in fraud, RICO, or white-collar investigations; financial investigations, examinations, or analysis; or law enforcement may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Preference will be given to applicants with the following:

• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE); Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI) through the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI), or Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS) certification through the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialist (ACFCS)
• Experience as the primary assigned individual conducting fraud,financial crimes, economic crimes, white collar crimes, wire and mail fraud, consumer protection or other complex investigations.
• Experience reviewing financial statements, bank documents and other business documents in the context of evaluating the flags of fraud or determining violations of law, tracking the flow of funds, and/or determining damages and losses for litigation.
• Use of Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT), Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), and other internet resources to identify individuals, links between organizations, determine size and composition of businesses, and identify assets for forfeiture.
• Use of Microsoft Excel in furtherance of investigations and/or to track and identify trends in financial and banking information.
• Experience testifying in depositions, administrative court proceedings, evidentiary hearings, and/or trials.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English

** The selection process may include a Microsoft Excel skill assessment exercise. This skills exercise must be completed in one of the Attorney General’s offices. **

The Work You Will Do: The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct complex fraud and/or financial investigations concerning allegations of unfair and deceptive trade practices, consumer fraud, asset forfeiture, organized schemes to defraud, and fraud committed using the internet or other digital means.
• Take ownership of assigned investigations and develop and implement an investigative strategy that effectively moves the investigation to a reasonable conclusion.
• Draft case summaries, memorandums of interview, investigative reports, and complex investigator affidavits that require reasoning through violations for submission in civil litigation proceedings.
• Present case briefings and findings both in writing and verbally to management or attorneys assigned to lead the enforcement mission.
• Responsible for identifying leads and pursuing additional evidence and information through its logical conclusion.
• Perform detailed financial analysis representing the flow of monetary transactions and how that information relates to violations that have been identified. May use software such as CFIS or Excel to assist in this endeavor.
• Locate and identify concealed profits in trusts, domestic and foreign corporations, banking institutions, real and personal property and any other methods or means of concealment.
• Conduct asset tracing of profits received from unlawful activities through all financial conduits.
• Testify at court hearings and trials about actions taken while developing investigations.
• Leverage Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) skills such as internet searches, public records databases, social media review, and website captures to develop leads and information to further investigations.
• Utilize Excel and other software in analyzing trends in complaints, violations of FDUTPA, and tracing monetary transactions.
• Responsible for leading an investigative team that may include support personnel to ensure that large investigative projects and/or cases are brought to completion.
• Complete special assignments as may be requested by supervisors or Assistant Attorneys General in a timely fashion, and which may require extended hours and/or travel outside of the worksite.

In the event of a declared state of emergency: Conduct investigations of price gouging allegations which may include contacting consumers and businesses to identify and resolve complaints, conducting site visits at businesses to obtain statements and evidence, or serve process such as preservation letters and subpoenas. This may require working extended hours, weekends, and/or during holidays during the declared state of emergency. This may also involve travel to other affected regions to provide support and assistance in meeting the price gouging enforcement mission of our office.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic investigative techniques.
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of court procedures and requirements.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews and take statements.
• Ability to collect and analyze evidence.
• Ability to use deductive reasoning
• Ability to write accurate investigative reports.
• Ability to conduct complex financial investigations
• Ability to draft complex investigator affidavits
• Ability to identify, understand, and document large and sometimes ambiguous organizations, along with representing control and liability potential of different levels of actors.
• Knowledge of asset tracing of profits received from unlawful activities.
• Ability to document and effectively communicate the analysis of large data sets and financial information.
• Ability to utilize Excel and other software in analyzing trends in complaints, violations of FDUTPA, and tracing monetary transactions.
• Ability to utilize software such as CFIS, Page Vault, VPNs, Adobe Pro, and the Microsoft Suite with a high degree of skill.
• Ability to testify at court hearings and trials about actions taken while developing investigations.
• Maintains technical investigative proficiency and high ethical standards.

Examples of Investigations you may lead:

• Failure to deliver goods and/or services.
• Telemarketing Boiler Rooms
• Robocalls
• Negative Option and subscription business models
• Household Moving fraud, including Hostage Household Goods, Bait and Switch, or Broker Fraud
• Fraud or Deception in the Auto industry, such as advertising, bait and switch, financing, warranties, online sales, auctions, leases, dealerships, service, and part sales.
• Timeshare Resale
• Mortgage Rescue
• Debt Relief
• Construction
• Direct Mail
• Mail and Wire Fraud
• Civil Theft and Fraudulent Transfers
• Reloading Schemes
• Travel and Tourism Scams
• Charities
• Solar industry schemes
• Privacy Concerns
• Age Gate Verification
• Online Marketplaces and Auctions
• Fake Invoice
• Government Imposter Scams
• Imposter PC Tech Support
• Scams focusing upon or directly impacting the elderly, disabled, or veterans
• So many more, often our creativity is the only limit to the good impact we may have on harmful business.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com).
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers.
• And more! For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To be considered for the position, all applicants must:

Submit a complete and accurate application profile necessary for qualifying such as dates of service, reason for leaving, etc. In addition, all applicants must ensure all employment and/or detailed information about work experience is listed on the application (including military service, self-employment, job-related volunteer work, internships, etc.) and that gaps in employment are explained. NOTE: Any required experience and/or preferences listed in the advertisement must be verified at the time of application.

• Ensure that applicant responses to qualifying questions are verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the employment application and/or resume. Applicants who do not respond to the qualifying questions will not be considered for this position.
• The elements of the selection process may include a skill assessment exercise.
• Current and future vacancies may be filled from this advertisement for a period of up to six months. Following the six-month period, a new application must be submitted to an open advertisement to be considered for that vacancy.
• OAG employees are paid biweekly. All state employees are required to participate in the direct deposit program pursuant to s. 110.113, Fs.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS/ DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: All OAG positions are "sensitive or special trust" and require favorable results on a background investigation including fingerprinting, pursuant to s. 110.1127(2)(a), F.S. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free Workplace, all employees are subject to reasonable suspicion or other drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. We hire only U.S. citizens and those lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

E-VERIFY STATEMENT: The Office of the Attorney General participates in the U.S. government’s employment eligibility verification program (e-verify). E-verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the employment eligibility verification form (i-9).

PERSONS WITH DISABILITY/ADA STATEMENT: The OAG supports the employment of individuals with disabilities and encourages them to seek employment within our agency. If you need an accommodation because of a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in order to participate in the application process, please notify the people first service center at 877-562-7287. If you need an accommodation during the selection process, please notify the hiring authority in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

REMINDERS: Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website at: https: //www.sss.gov. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. If you return to FRS employment before satisfying the required waiting period, your retirement may be voided, and you may have to repay all benefits you have received, including any Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) payout.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.