Job Details

DPS Special Agent, CID - 9940

This position is only for honorably retired commissioned officers who have retired from the Employee Retirement Systems of Texas and whose last position was as a commissioned officer with the Department of Public Safety. This posting is regulated by the DPS Commissioned Retire/Rehire Program and Texas Government Code 659 and 812. This posting is available for the Houston location.

General Description: Perform responsible investigative duties in a designated geographic area of the State of Texas and is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Work involves managing and oversight of investigative efforts to identify suspected violations in accordance with standard investigative methods, agency policy, and state and federal laws; and utilizing various methods of managing resources to identify and combat criminal violations. Work is performed under limited supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Duties:

• Brief command staff on case management matters, policies and procedures, and related CID activities.
• Conduct, manage, and coordinate complex multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency criminal investigations including out-of-state and federal jurisdictions having a nexus to Texas.
• Manage and perform administrative investigations for other state agencies to determine licensure eligibility which may require travel out-of-country.
• Manage and perform various background investigations for the agency.
• Develop, gather, receive, evaluate, and disseminate intelligence information related to criminal activity.
• Assist with assessing collected evidence and investigative reports to conduct the necessary criminal investigation needed to arrest and prosecute criminals. Oversee the collection and preservation of evidence to be utilized in criminal and/or civil legal proceedings including but not limited to assets seized which are subject to state or federal forfeiture.
• Conduct covert surveillance operations and otherwise work in a covert capacity to infiltrate criminal organizations in furtherance of criminal investigations.
• Identify and investigate individuals suspected of criminal activity and/or organized criminal activity.
• Augment investigative leads and conduct administrative functions using competent interview and interrogation techniques on suspects, witnesses, victims, and other individuals.
• Work with state and federal prosecutors to prepare cases and testify as subject matter experts in legal proceedings.
• Identify, establish, manage, and direct confidential informants in the furtherance of criminal investigations.
• Prepare reports, briefs, summaries, affidavits, subpoenas, and other documents.
• Identify, develop, and administer training programs for local, state, and federal agencies.
• Oversee the installation and removal, train others, and provide technical assistance in the operation of electronic surveillance and intercept equipment; and purchase, maintain, and inventory electronic surveillance equipment.
• Perform executive level protection for state and government officials and other dignitaries as directed.
• Serve as a liaison with local, state, and federal law enforcement agency members. Provide expertise in the specialized fields of drugs, gangs, and property crimes to other law enforcement agencies.
• Respond to emergency situations including but not limited to providing traffic direction, patrol security, shelter security, rescue and humanitarian aid to local communities during natural disasters, covert intelligence collection during civil disturbances, and other duties deemed necessary by the Incident/Area Commander.
• Oversee the work of others. Assume responsibility for the operation of assigned area in the absence of the Lieutenant.
• Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

General Qualifications and Requirements (Required unless otherwise stated): Education - Graduation from a standard senior high school or the equivalent. Experience - Must be a retired commissioned officer who has retired from the Employees Retirement System of Texas and whose last position was as a commissioned officer within the department and attained the rank of Sergeant or higher with the Criminal Investigations Division. License/Certifications - Must possess a valid Texas driver license and an Intermediate Certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Regulatory/law enforcement knowledge - Considerable knowledge of investigative methods and practices; admissibility of evidence, special police methods and techniques; agency policies and procedures, and administrative practices; criminal laws and regulations; collection and preservation of evidence; and the presentation of evidence and testimony in court. Skill in the use of video, audio, photography and other specialized investigative aids, the use of firearms and other special police equipment. Ability to assume a fictitious identity and conduct covert investigations. Ability to follow sound administrative and budgetary practices. Investigative knowledge - Skill in conducting investigations by personal contact and examination of records and interviewing techniques. Ability to think quickly and clearly, plan and manage investigations, adapt investigative procedures to varying situations and analyze and evaluate information. Computer skills - Proficient with personal computers and various software; e.g. spreadsheets, word processing, databases, desk-top publishing, and modern business office practices. Able to learn, retain, and retrieve a myriad of codes and other access information to operate computer systems to search and retrieve relevant data. Leadership skills - Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and motivate others, and maintain persuasive and credible presentation style at all levels of the agency. Organizational skills - Ability to multi-task, prioritize, perform detailed work effectively and rapidly at a high level of accuracy in an open office environment subject to frequent interruptions, distractions and priority changes and with a moderate noise level in a high-stress, fast-paced, multi-demand environment, and the ability to make sound work-related judgments and decisions. Collect, organize, and present program data in effective reports and briefings. Communication/Training skills - Excellent verbal and written communication skills to include correspondence drafting, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and general office business practices. Ability to make quick and accurate judgment calls regarding the need to provide information to a wide variety of internal and external customers. Ability to present to large, small, and diverse groups. Interpersonal skills - Must exercise excellent interpersonal skills - position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working/professional relationships with a wide variety of internal and external customers. Exemplifies the agency's core mission to Protect and Serve Texas and the values of integrity, teamwork, accountability, and excellence. Ability to work non-normal work hours/Travel - Ability to work complex investigations for extended periods of time and away from assigned duty station which may require out-of-state and out-of-country travel to include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Confidentiality - Must be able to, at all times, responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations.

Physical and/or Environmental Demands: The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Office environment, outdoors, and vehicle; Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, sit; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and run during emergency situations; walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time; Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity; Ability to speak, hear, smell, and exercise visual acuity; Ability to transfer weights of up to and in excess of one hundred (100) pounds anticipated for this position, e.g. moving equipment and injured persons; Annual Physical Readiness Testing (PRT) pre-employment and annual thereafter three format options available dependent upon whether test is pre-employment or annual/ongoing employment requirement: A. 2000-meter Row B. Run (1.5 miles), Push-ups, and Abdominal crunches C. Combat Fitness Evaluation a. One minute wall ball b. One minute sumo deadlift high pull c. One minute box jump d. One minute push press e. One minute row f. One minute rest Effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to: Confined or high risk places; dangerous people and animals; extremely loud noises; hazards of emergency driving, hazards associated with traffic control, and working in and near traffic; natural and man-made disasters and adverse weather conditions; stressful situations; performing life-saving and rescue procedures; Driving requirements for this position: extensive driving.