REVISED TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 6666500

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

Brief Description of Class

            Rent Administration Investigators conduct field investigations of either reported or suspected violations of rent law, rule or regulation or of an individuals background to gather or verify information relating to tenant/landlord issues.  Incumbents regularly question witnesses and complainants, review documents and maintain surveillance of individuals to obtain information relative to the conduct of the investigation.  The activities engaged in by Rent Administration Investigators are governed by the legal requirements of gathering and preserving evidence.

            Positions in these classes exist in the Division of Housing and Community Renewals Office of Rent Administration.

­­­­­­Distinguishing Characteristics

            These classes differ from other investigator classes by the requirement for detailed knowledge of rent laws, rules and regulations.

            RENT ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATOR 1: full performance level; characterized by the performance of extensive field activities concerned with gathering information in support of compliance with the rent law, rules and regulations, as well as issues stemming from tenant/landlord relationships. 

RENT ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATOR 2: supervises Rent Administration Investigators 1; single position class.

illustrative duties

            RENT ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATOR 1

Performs a wide variety of enforcement and regulatory field investigations to gather information and report facts.

·         Reviews assigned cases or complaints to determine the section of the law, rule or regulation that applies and to identify the issues and the types of information needed.

·         Plans the scope and method of investigation based on the accessibility of information and the seriousness of the issue.

·         Meets with and interviews witnesses, complainants and other interested individuals to obtain information relating to the investigation.

·         Takes statements from individuals in appropriate format, taking care to include a full description of the facts needed in support of the investigation.

·         May locate and search public and private documents to locate individuals or may have to question others and follow leads to find an individual.

·         Reviews both public and private documents to extract pertinent information.

·         Verifies information obtained by checking it with other sources.

·         Confers with law enforcement officials and others to convey and obtain information relevant to an investigation and to develop and maintain personal rapport to assure mutual cooperation in the conduct of an investigation.

Prepares a factual report of the information gathered during field investigation.

·         Using a standard outline, prepares a concise, factual report of information gathered and may recommend an appropriate course of action consistent with the findings.

·         Orally supports findings and recommendations during conferences with management staff.

·         May participate in conference with attorneys, complainants, witnesses, etc. and explains findings.

·         May testify before an administrative or judicial presiding officer as to the details of the investigation and conclusions reached.

·         May aid other staff in the preparation of written documents and submissions, based on such reports.

May review the physical layout of an apartment or dwelling, noting indentifying details.

·         May review architectural drawings or blueprints to specifically describe a site.

·         May take photographs.

            RENT ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATOR 2

·         Supervises Rent Administration Investigators 1.

·         Assigns cases; provides training and instruction to the staff in such matters as investigation techniques, legal requirements and departmental procedures.

·          Reviews all written reports for quality, completeness, and logic of recommendations. 

·         May accompany a Rent Administration Investigator 1 as a technique of observing an incumbents performance or to assist in the resolution of a case beyond the capacity of the individual Rent Administration Investigator 1.

·         May perform investigations and other activities assigned to Rent Administration Investigators 1.

COMMUNICATION

            Rent Administration Investigators 1 have frequent oral communication with individuals, complainants, witnesses, suspects, claimants, police and others to acquire and verify information relevant to the investigation.  Incumbents establish rapport with a wide range of individuals, some of whom may be uncooperative, to obtain information or leads to information to develop facts which will form a sufficient basis to conclude the investigation or to negotiate a conclusion of a claim.

            Within the Division, incumbents have varying degrees of communication with program specialists.  The communication may be oral or written and, under the majority of circumstances, will involve obtaining information to use in a specific investigation.

.           Rent Administration Investigator 2 additionally communicates with the Assistant Commissioner responsible for the unit and with other agency staff as needed.

            Rent Administration Investigators 1 also prepare detailed, factual reports for submission to their supervisors.  Such reports must be clear and comprehensive and may become part of the record of an administrative or judicial proceeding.

NATURE OF SUPERVISION

            Rent Administration Investigators 1 are not supervisors; however, an experienced Rent Administration Investigator 1 may assist in the orientation of new investigators.

            Rent Administration Investigator 2 supervises Rent Administration Investigators 1 and may supervise support staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

            RENT ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATOR 1 

Open Competitive: five years of experience performing investigative work as part of regular law enforcement activity or comparable investigative work in a public agency or in the armed forces.  A bachelors or higher level degree in criminal justice, criminology or police science, or a related field, may substitute for one year of experience.

            RENT ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATOR 2

Promotion: one year of permanent service as a Rent Administration Investigator 1.

Open Competitive: six years of professional experience performing investigative work as part of regular law enforcement activity or performing comparable investigative work in a public agency or in the armed forces, including one year of supervisory experience in the investigations field.  A bachelors or higher level degree in criminal justice, criminology or police science, or a related field, may substitute for one year of experience.

Date:  5/12

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.