FINANCIAL INVESTIGATOR

Requisition No: 680783

Agency: Financial Services

Working Title: FINANCIAL INVESTIGATOR - 43004069 (Office of Financial Regulation)

Position Number: 43004069

Salary: Within 10% of the base salary of $36,357.60 (plus CAD)

Posting Closing Date: 08/26/2022

****OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY*****

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION
BUREAU: FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS

CITY: TAMPA

COUNTY: HILLSBOROUGH

ABOUT THE AGENCY:

The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) provides regulatory oversight for Florida’s financial services industry. The OFR is organized into six areas: Executive Direction, Division of Financial Institutions, Division of Consumer Finance, Division of Securities, Office of General Counsel, and Bureau of Financial Investigations (BFI). The programs oversee and regulate a wide range of financial enterprises and individuals, such as: securities industry participants, money transmitters, consumer finance companies, mortgage loan originators, foreign currency exchangers, payday lenders, state-chartered banks, and state-chartered credit unions. The OFR’s agency head, known as the Commissioner, is appointed by the Financial Services Commission, which is composed of the Governor, the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Financial Investigator position is an entry level investigator within the BFI that conducts criminal, administrative, and civil investigations under the regulatory jurisdiction of the OFR. BFI cases are prosecuted in state and federal courts.

This position reports to the Tampa Investigations Manager. This position is currently eligible for voluntary non-full time telework (combination of in-office work and telework). Approval of voluntary telework is subject to management approval and may be rescinded at any time. Normal office hours are M-F / 8 am to 5 pm, with a 1-hour unpaid lunch. This position is currently eligible for a flexible schedule outside of normal office hours. Approval of a flexible schedule outside of normal office hours is subject to management approval and may be rescinded at any time. This position requires some travel, including overnight travel for training and conducting field work (interviews, surveillance, subpoena service, etc.). Approximately 25% of time is spent in the field. The OFR has limited access to state issued vehicles; therefore, employees are required to travel using their personal vehicle with a mileage reimbursement of 44.5¢ a mile or a rental car that is paid for by the state. A state cell phone is not issued with this position.

WORK LOCATION:

1313 North Tampa Street, Suite 617A

Tampa, FL 33602

SALARY:

Qualified candidates are normally hired at a salary that is within 10% of the advertised base salary for the position ($36,357.60), plus a competitive area differential of $644.76.

OFR employees are paid on a monthly pay cycle.

OTHER INFORMATION:

All applicants seeking employment with the OFR are subject to mandatory background checks conducted through the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Bureau of Human Resource Management in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. and reviews by OFR. Applicants may be disqualified for employment with OFR based on the information that may be obtained through research and/or OFR’s review process.

No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Applicants are required to meet one (1) of the following three (3) categories:

Category 1: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law, other majors related to law enforcement/investigations, Accounting or Finance; OR

Category 2: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in any field of study and one (1) year of recent professional experience (within the past three (3) years) conducting complex financial crimes investigations or examinations; OR

Category 3: Four (4) years of professional experience conducting complex financial crimes investigations or examinations with at least one (1) of those years of experience occurring within the past three (3) years

Additional requirement:

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Power Point, and Outlook).

Preference will be given for the following:

• Financial Accounting
• Analyzing bank and/or brokerage records
• Conducting complex financial examinations or investigations
• Interviewing subjects and witnesses
• Certified Fraud Examiner designation

Minimum Qualifications for this position include the following REQUIRED ENTRY LEVEL 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 plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

• Ability to analyze information and determine its validity.

• Ability to write accurate investigative reports and verbally brief them.

• Ability to present detailed verbal presentations.

• Ability to make independent decisions.

• Ability to conduct thorough investigations.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Ability to analyze financial records.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

The Financial Investigator (FI) is an entry level position under the direct supervision of the Area Financial Manager (working title: Investigations Manager). The incumbent may be assigned to work in tandem with more senior level investigators or independently if deemed appropriate. Investigates allegations of criminal, fraudulent or unlicensed activity within the regulatory jurisdiction of the Office of Financial Regulation.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts Investigations into alleged or suspected wrongdoing.

• Assists in the development of investigative plans to expedite the collection of evidence and the prosecution of violators.

• Interviews witnesses, victims and suspects regarding alleged violations and documents interviews commensurate with evidence requirements. Takes sworn statements as appropriate.

• Obtains subpoenas, reviews and analyzes books and records. Gives testimony in administrative, civil and criminal cases.

• Conducts analysis of complex financial records.

• Writes detailed reports and prepares exhibits for use by Office attorneys and criminal prosecutors.

• Responsible for maintaining technical investigative proficiency and high ethical standards.

• Performs other duties as required by the AFM.

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. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement

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.