LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR, GRADE 16
SENIOR LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR, GRADE 20
SUPERVISING LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR, GRADE 23
CHIEF LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR, GRADE M-1
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS, GRADE M-4
DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS, GRADE M-6
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES
This series applies principles and techniques of investigation to enforce or manage the enforcement of Labor Laws and regulations regarding wage complaints, hours of work, agricultural employment, child labor, and other conditions of employment. Incumbents investigate cases of suspected Labor Law violations, issue permits and certificates, and educate employers, employees, claimants, and the general public regarding the provisions of the New York State Labor Laws. This series is classified only in the Department of Labor.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: entry level; conducts in-house and field investigations of complaints from employees and the public related to suspected violations of New York State Labor Laws.
SENIOR LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: working supervisor; conducts more difficult or complex investigations; supervises, trains, monitors, and evaluates the investigative activities of a team of Labor Standard Investigators.
SUPERVISING LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: monitors and directs the operation of a District Office or Special Unit related to the administration and enforcement of New York State Labor Laws.
CHIEF LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: monitors and directs the operations of District Offices and Special Units for an assigned geographic region.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS: one-position class; oversees the daily operation of the Division; assists the Director in the Statewide administration and enforcement of New York State Labor Laws.
DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS: one-position class; establishes Statewide labor policy and guidelines; determines investigative programs; plans, directs, and coordinates the enforcement of the provisions of New York State Labor Laws throughout the State.
RELATED CLASSES
Unemployment Insurance Investigators conduct field investigations of cases of suspected fraud, collusion, and other violations of the Unemployment Insurance Law.
Public Work Wage Investigators conduct investigations of alleged violations of the New York State Labor Laws pertaining to wages, fringe benefits, discrimination, and other conditions of employment on public construction projects.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: under the direction of a Senior Labor Standards Investigator, performs in-house and field investigations of complaints against employers to detect and verify alleged violations of the New York State Labor Laws; initiates targeted investigations of employers suspected of violating State Labor Laws; reviews complaints to identify the issues and type of information and evidence needed to resolve them; plans the scope and method of investigations; determines the accessibility of information; evaluates the severity of the complaint; interviews employees, employers, and witnesses; examines relevant payroll, time cards, checkbooks, postings, and quarterly reports to determine the validity of complaints; reconstructs records when unavailable or inaccurate; serves notice of Labor Law violations; prepares statements and affidavits for employees, claimants, and witnesses; makes initial determinations and recommendations to assess civil penalties and interest; prepares detailed reports and recommendations; assists in the preparation for and may participate in district and compliance conferences; testifies in court and at Industrial Board of Appeals hearings; participates in the filing of civil judgments; checks for required certificates, various permits, or variances and confers with union delegates and employers to gain compliance under the law; and disseminates information and makes presentations on State Labor Laws to employees, employers, employer organizations, and members of the public.
SENIOR LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: under the direction of a Supervising Labor Standards Investigator, supervises the investigative activities of a staff of Labor Standards Investigators; assigns staff to inspections; reviews work, including investigative reports, daily activity summaries, monthly reports, and expense accounts; informs staff of changes in Labor Laws, procedure, or policy; assists staff with the interpretation of Labor Laws, legal precedents, and agreements; researches difficult questions of legality and procedure; reviews the collection and distribution of monies as assigned; arranges for witnesses to appear in court; may testify in legal proceedings; prepares cases for compliance conferences, Industrial Board of Appeals hearings, and civil prosecution; conducts difficult and complex investigations; personally oversees the more sensitive aspects of investigations; contacts claimants to determine if compliance conference findings have been implemented; and trains staff in areas of investigative techniques, departmental policies and procedures, rules and regulations, recent court decisions, and legal precedents.
SUPERVISING LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: under the direction of a Chief Labor Standards Investigator, directs a group of Labor Standards Investigators and Senior Labor Standards Investigators in the investigation of suspected Labor Law violations; organizes and schedules workload for a district; analyzes intake and flow of work through the unit, reviews daily summaries, and analyzes statistical information; establishes and modifies internal unit procedures; reviews new directives, procedures, and policies to determine the effect on future operations; directs the manner in which complex cases are handled; reviews the investigative findings and recommendations of staff regarding referrals for district conferences, compliance conferences, prosecutions, and the closing and reopening of cases; coordinates investigator and witness statements and testimony; coordinates investigations with other District Office staff; prepares reports detailing unit activities, workload, and personnel requirements; reviews and approves the collection and distribution of all funds and wages due to claimants; evaluates the unit training needs; and may oversee the activities of special units or programs, such as the Apparel Industry Task Force, Compliance Conference Unit, or the Administrative Services Unit.
CHIEF LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR: under the general direction of the Assistant Director, Labor Standards, manages the operation of District and Special Offices in a designated geographic region; reviews and evaluates unit operations and procedures; determines investigative priorities; evaluates work output, methods, and flow; recommends changes in investigative procedures, methods, and techniques; assists the Director and Assistant Director in the formulation and implementation of Division policy; conducts special studies and projects; and coordinates the interpretation and implementation of Labor policies and guidelines with representatives of other governmental or private agencies.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS: under the general direction of the Director, Labor Standards, assists in the administration and supervision of the Labor Standards regional and administrative offices and special programs; reviews and coordinates area operations to ensure uniform application of policies and procedures; provides direction and training on new policies and procedures; represents the Division on intergovernmental boards and committees of public and private agencies; directs and monitors special programs administered by the Division; prepares routine and special reports on the operations of the Division; supervises the staffing of offices and the evaluation of subordinate staff; oversees complex or sensitive investigations; and oversees all the operations of the Division in the absence of the Director.
DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS: under the general direction of the Deputy Commissioner of Labor, plans, directs, and coordinates the enforcement of New York State Labor Laws; determines investigative priorities and staff assignments; reviews and evaluates Division reports and statistics to determine if program goals are being met; recommends and assists in the preparation of new legislative proposals; reviews and interprets proposed and enacted State and federal legislation relating to Labor Standards programs; reviews and updates Division procedures and policy guidelines in response to new legislation and court decisions; conducts or attends orientation programs or public hearings to answer questions or hear complaints regarding new programs or policies; maintains contacts with officials in other federal, State, and local government agencies; and represents the Commissioner of Labor on special boards and councils.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR
Open Competitive: six years of satisfactory experience in a position in investigations, public relations, or other closely related fields entailing extensive personal contact with the general public, in which there was substantial independent decision-making responsibility: this could include experience such as a field auditor, government enforcement agent, union organizer or business agent, employment interviewer, claims examiner, or insurance adjuster; or a Bachelor's Degree and one year of experience.
SENIOR LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Labor Standards Investigator.
SUPERVISING LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Senior Labor Standards Investigator.
CHIEF LABOR STANDARDS INVESTIGATOR
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Supervising Labor Standards Investigator.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Chief Labor Standards Investigator or three years as a Supervising Labor Standards Investigator.
DIRECTOR, LABOR STANDARDS
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as Assistant Director, Labor Standards.
Revised: 5/11