Civilian Investigator
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Civilian Investigator
Salary
$37.50 - $56.24 Hourly
Location
Chaska Justice Center, MN
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
03166
Division
Sheriff's Office
Department
Operations
Opening Date
08/27/2026
Closing Date
9/14/2026 4:30 PM Central
Description
Benefits
Questions
JOB SUMMARY
Do you have a professional investigative background in financial crimes, insurance fraud, or property crime - and a desire to bring that expertise somewhere it matters? The Carver County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) is seeking its first-ever Civilian Investigator to join our Investigations Division.
This position provides full caseload ownership, direct connection to prosecution, and the professional satisfaction of protecting victims in a fast-growing community of more than 114,000 residents. You will be the primary investigative resource for property crimes, financial crimes, fraud, and identity theft - cases that are meaningful to the people they affect and require the same professional standards any serious investigation demands.
Under the direction of the Investigations Sergeant, this position independently conducts follow-up criminal investigations of property crimes, financial crimes, fraud, and other non-violent offenses. Work includes managing an assigned caseload from intake through prosecution referral, conducting non-custodial victim, witness, and voluntary-subject interviews, gathering and documenting evidence, maintaining case files in the Records Management System, preparing prosecution packages for submission to the County Attorney's Office, and testifying as a fact witness in criminal proceedings. The position exercises independent professional judgment in investigative direction, evidence collection, and case documentation within the scope of non-licensed investigative authority.
This is a civilian (non-licensed) position and operates within the CCSO Investigations Division alongside licensed detectives.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Receives and reviews assigned criminal cases and patrol reports; confirms case scope falls within civilian investigative authority and flags any elements requiring escalation to the Investigations Sergeant; creates and maintains case files in the CIS Records Management System; develops an initial investigative plan and documents planned investigative steps.
Conducts follow-up investigations of property crimes, including theft, burglary follow-up, vehicle theft, criminal damage to property, agricultural and equipment theft, and trespass; conducts scene revisits, canvasses for witnesses and surveillance footage, obtains evidence, documents findings, and maintains case progression.
Conducts follow-up investigations of financial crimes and fraud, including identity theft, check fraud, forgery, credit and debit card fraud, retail fraud, insurance fraud, and non-violent elder financial exploitation; obtains and reviews financial records via subpoena or consent; identifies suspect patterns across cases; coordinates with financial institutions and victim advocates.
Conducts victim, witness, and voluntary-subject interviews; schedules and conducts interviews at the office, victim residences, or approved alternate locations; documents interviews consistent with agency policy; recognizes when a subject interview requires a licensed peace officer and escalates accordingly.
Prepares prosecution case packages and coordinates with the County Attorney's Office; compiles complete case materials; drafts investigative summaries supporting charging decisions; ensures timely submission of case referrals; tracks case status through charging and arraignment; responds to discovery requests; appears in court to testify as required.
Uses open-source intelligence tools, social media platforms, public records databases, and commercial investigative platforms consistent with agency policy and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act to identify suspects, locate witnesses, and document online evidence.
Drafts supporting documentation and affidavit materials for licensed-investigator review; prepares summaries, chronologies, and supporting documentation for search warrant affidavits based on facts within the incumbent's personal investigative knowledge; submits materials to the Investigations Sergeant for review.
Manages evidence documentation and chain-of-custody coordination; ensures proper collection, packaging, and submission of physical and digital evidence; completes evidence submission forms; coordinates with Evidence Technicians for examination requests; documents all evidence movement consistent with agency policy and disclosure obligations.
Provides investigative support to licensed detectives on complex, multi-faceted cases, including organized retail crime investigations, multi-victim fraud schemes, and other cases requiring high-volume records processing, link analysis, or background research.
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Studies, Public Administration, Criminology, Paralegal Studies, or closely related field.
Three years of experience in criminal investigations, law enforcement, fraud investigation, criminal paralegal practice, or closely related investigative field.
One year of experience with computerized records management systems and investigative databases.
Valid driver's license.
Must be able to successfully complete a CJIS background investigation.
Must obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security awareness certification within six months of hire.
Significant directly-relevant investigative experience, including as a law enforcement officer, insurance investigator, criminal paralegal, or fraud examiner, may substitute for the degree.
Preferred Qualifications:
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) credential.
Experience with financial institution fraud investigation, insurance Special Investigations Unit (SIU) work, or federal civilian investigative service.
Experience with investigative databases and OSINT platforms (CLEAR, TLO, Palantir, i2, or comparable).
Experience testifying as a fact witness in criminal or civil proceedings.
Experience with law enforcement records management systems (CIS, Axon Records, or comparable).
Familiarity with Minnesota criminal statutes applicable to property and financial crimes.
SCORED EXAMINATION PROCESS
All applications will be screened for minimum qualifications, scored and ranked. The highest ranked candidates meeting minimum qualifications will be recommended for the scored oral examinations (interviews). Final selection for the position will include successful completion of oral interview(s), reference checks, background investigation including CJIS fingerprinting, pre-placement physical, and psychological evaluation.
Benefit Summary (https://www.carvercountymn.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/27207)
01
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
High School Diploma/GED
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree or higher
None of the above
02
If you indicated a degree above, is it in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Studies, Public Administration, Criminology, Paralegal, or closely related field?
Yes
No
I do not have a degree
03
How many years of full-time paid work experience will you have, by date of appointment, in criminal investigations, criminal paralegal practice, fraud investigation, financial institution investigations, insurance investigations, law enforcement or a closely related investigative field?
None/less than three years
Three years to less than five years
Five years to less than eight years
Eight years or more
04
Do you have at least one year of experience with computerized records management systems and investigative databases?
Yes
No
05
Do you have a valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility?
Yes
No
06
Are you able to obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security awareness certification within six months of hire?
Yes
No
07
Please indicate the areas below in which you have full-time paid work experience. Select all that apply and be prepared to support your answers if invited to interview:
Insurance Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigation
Financial institution fraud or AML investigation
Criminal investigation as a licensed peace officer
Paralegal or legal practice in criminal law
Corporate fraud or loss prevention investigation
Open-source (OSINT) or digital investigation
Preparation of prosecution or legal case packages
Court testimony as a fact witness
Law enforcement records management system (RMS)
I have none of the above experience
08
How many years of full-time paid work experience do you have specifically in fraud, financial crime, or insurance investigation?
None/less than two years
Two years to less than four years
Four years to less than seven years
Seven years or more
09
Do you possess any of the following credentials? Select all that apply:
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
POST-Licensed Minnesota peace offer (current or previous)
I have none of the above credentials
10
Are you a current employee or volunteer with more than 1 year of service to Carver County Sheriff's Office?
Yes
No
11
If you answered yes to being a current Carver County Sheriff's Office employee or volunteer, please indicate your role in the box below. If you answered no, please indicate N/A.
Required Question
Employer
Carver County
Address
600 East 4th Street
Chaska, Minnesota, 55318
Phone
952-361-1525
Website
https://www.carvercountymn.gov
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