Description: 

Division Overview:

The State’s Attorney’s Office in the Montana Department of Justice is dedicated to ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law on behalf of the people of Montana.

The State’s Attorney’s Office consists of Assistant Attorneys General and legal support staff that represent the State of Montana. The office includes the Solicitor General’s Office, Criminal Prosecution and Appellate Services, Civil Services and Consumer Protection. Additionally, the office provides legal expertise and litigation support to other state agencies. The functions within the office include defense of Montana’s laws as passed by the Legislature, and ballot initiatives passed by the voters; prosecution of criminals; litigation, from district court proceedings through appeal; and complex litigation of antitrust matters. Legal counsel and advice to state agencies is provided on a fee-for-service basis. Services typically include litigation, hearings officer services, and transactional work, and may relate to any legal matter regulated by the State of Montana.

Job Overview:

The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) carries out the Department of Justice’s important role and responsibility under the Montana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act to investigate, prosecute, and educate the public regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce, including antitrust violations, investigation and regulation of personal solicitation sales, service contracts, telemarketing fraud and violations of the Telephone Solicitation No-Call List, debt management and settlement practices, and data breaches and identity theft. The Bureau’s work is diverse, often high-profile, and frequently requires involvement in challenging and complex litigation either alone or in concert with other States.

The Elder Justice Criminal Investigator position investigates alleged or suspected criminal violations of federal or state to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution. The Elder Justice Criminal Investigator will report to the Elder Justice Assistant Attorney General and does not supervise others.

This position demands a detective with a passion for pursuing justice for older victims and adults with disabilities. The Department of Justice seeks an individual who whose personality, professional experience, and skills include a number of the following points. A candidate need not have experience in each category or presently have all the skills listed to be eligible to apply. Eager learners are encouraged to apply.

This is a modified position currently funded through September 30, 2023

Qualifications:

• High school diploma.
• Three years of criminal, investigative, or law-enforcement experience.
• Experience investigating financial crimes: including investigations involving banks, credit card companies and investment companies through investigative subpoenas and search warrants and obtaining SARs (suspicious activity reports).
• Firearms’ training is mandated for peace officer requirements and liability.
• Current POST Law Enforcement Basic Certificate (or equivalent from another state) required.
• Must meet eligibility requirements for the POST Law Enforcement Intermediate Certificate.
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or closely related with coursework in criminal justice field from an accredited college or university. 
• Experience with online and telephonic scams and organized fraud enterprises.
• Experience with sexual and physical assaults perpetrated against the elderly and adults with disabilities.
• Familiarity with durable, medical, financial powers of attorney and guardianships.​​​​​​​

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The position requires extensive knowledge of law enforcement; investigative procedures; planning; report writing, coordinating the activities of multiple agencies and jurisdictions; developing, conducting and presenting complex long-term cases; criminal procedures, collection and rules of evidence, criminal justice information and privacy/security regulations, family services, Social Services and Institutions and law enforcement and investigation including criminal justice information.  Knowledgeable, proficient, and skilled in the use of firearms.  Knowledgeable regarding proper procedures for writing and executing search warrants, investigative subpoenas, and forfeiture documents. 
• Knowledge of Montana Codes Annotated (MCA) dealing with crimes (MCA, Title 45, "Crimes"), criminal procedure (MCA, Title 46, "Criminal Procedure"), rules of evidence (MCA, Title 26, Chapter 10, "Montana Rules of Evidence"), seizures related to contraband, criminal justice information and privacy/security regulations (MCA, Title 44, Chapter 5, "Criminal Justice Information"); family services (MCA, Title 52); Social Services and Institutions (MCA, Title 53); CFR 18 and 42; ARMs; and law enforcement and investigation including criminal justice information and rules of evidence. 
• Ability to think outside the box of commonplace investigations and to tenaciously “follow the money”.
• Ability to work remotely with victims, law enforcement, and prosecutors in distant communities.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent investigations.
• Ability to work effectively with prosecutors, an interagency team of law enforcement officers (local, Tribal, and federal officers) civil authorities (Adult Protective Services investigators, social workers, etc.) and an interdisciplinary team of medical, financial, accounting, and legal professionals, and to work with Elder Justice Councils.
• Ability to summarize in table and exhibit form complicated financial transactions.
• Skill in using all types of complicated equipment necessary to conduct criminal investigations; conducting undercover investigations; making correct/legal and appropriate decisions in highly stressful situations; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees; communicating effectively verbally and in writing; and in reviewing case plans and information.   Skilled in drafting and presenting search warrants, investigative subpoenas and forfeiture documents to prosecutors and judges for review and issuance.
• Skill in examining all types of evidence to determine its relevance to the prosecution of the case and to properly document its relationship to the case and criminals.  Procedures followed include standards of law enforcement and criminal investigation profession, best practices in investigation, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Skill in spreadsheets and investigative support software.
• Skills or certificate in forensic accounting or as a fraud examiner.
• Skills or certificates in handwriting analysis (questioned documents examiner).
• Skills or certificates in computer forensics investigations.
• Patience and empathy to work with the elderly and individuals with diminished cognitive capacity.

Special Instructions:

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to an evaluation of the résumé and cover letter, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to: 

• Criminal History Fingerprint Check
• Intensive Background
• Driving History

REAL ID Compliant Credential Required and/or Passport:

State employees are required to present legally binding photo identification at the time of hire. Generally, this is a valid driver license, U.S. Passport or Employment Authorization ID (Form I-766).

All DOJ positions require a valid REAL ID or U.S. Passport within 60 days of hire, effective May 3, 2023.

For further information go to https://mtrealid.gov or https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions  

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a cover letter and résumé at the time of application.

Tip: When attaching your cover letter and resume you must mark each of the attachments as a “Relevant File”.

Your Cover Letter: How do your qualifications and experience directly correlate to the duties of this position and what makes you the best candidate for the job?

Your Résumé: Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

A complete online state application is not required. To initiate an application, attach the cover letter and résumé to be considered for this position. Failure to attach a cover letter and résumé will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. Please submit DD214 to Katelyn Reich at katelyn.reich2@mt.gov via File Transfer Service.

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify.

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

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