Investigator

Job Description

Applicants must take the Education and Experience exam to be eligible. Take the exam at Open Competitive Exams for Anyone - Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Select Exam No. 6065 for Inspector (Consumer and Worker Protection). The exam closes on June 23, 2026.

Permanent employees in the civil service title, comparable title (under 6.1.9) and 55-a applicants are also eligible to apply.

**This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week pursuant to the Flexible Work Pilot Program. **

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

DCWP is seeking an experienced investigator to work on legal investigations in our General Counsel Division. Reporting to the Director of Legal Operations, the investigator’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

Support investigations into violations of DCWP’s licensing and consumer protection laws and rules, including by:

• Conducting background research on people and businesses in support of legal investigations using the Internet and public and private records databases that cover property transactions, financial disclosures, lawsuits, social media activity, regulatory actions and news reports;
• Under the guidance of attorneys, performing undercover investigations in support of legal investigations;
• Conducting undercover field investigations;
• Interviewing consumers, businesses, landlords and witnesses by telephone and in-person;
• Obtaining, documenting, and analyzing documentary evidence;
• Writing comprehensive investigation reports identifying the results of research and analysis;
• Ensuring the Department has the proper evidence and documentation for any hearings or court appearances;
• Testifying at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and in court;
• Investigating cases that are complex and/or broad in scope, in collaboration with other investigators, legal staff associates and attorneys;
• Drafting investigative policies and protocols for the division and update as necessary;
• Utilizing photographic and video equipment to document observations and support investigative findings; and
• Engaging in other projects as directed.

The preferred candidate has at least 3-4 years of investigative experience, including conducting in-depth internet and factual research, a strong aptitude for interpreting and understanding complex legal and non-legal topics; excellent attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, good judgment and decision-making skills, and creative problem-solving skills.

INSPECTOR (CONSUMER AND WORKER - 33997

Qualifications

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of full-time, satisfactory experience conducting investigations or inspections for a consumer or worker protection agency; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or

3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience, which is equivalent to "1" above. College education may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of 30 semester credits for each year of required experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

License Requirement: Possession of a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York at the time of appointment. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.