Investigative Specialist

About This Job

At the Department of Public Safety-Investigative Support Section, our mission is to promote health and wellness by delivering compassionate and high-quality health services. We provide behavioral health support and counseling services to individuals and families across Louisiana, working every day to improve lives and strengthen communities.

This posting is to fill an Investigative Specialist 1/2 position within the Investigative Support Section of Louisiana State Police.

Investigative Specialists are responsible for assisting local, state, and federal law enforcement partners with case support and investigative leads. Additionally, this position will be responsible for conducting threat analysis, performing open source research, and sharing relevant information with public and private sector partners and stakeholders as it relates to public safety in Louisiana and nationwide.

This position will require rotating shift work, to include some weekends and holidays, as well as extensive hands-on training, public speaking, analytical writing, and answering phone calls from the public and other law enforcement agencies requesting assistance.

Selected Core Competencies

Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards.

Thinking Critically: The ability to objectively question, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information to form a conclusion.

Using Data: The ability to use relevant and valid data to inform a recommendation for action.

Selected Preferred Competencies

Accepting Direction: The ability to accept and follow directions from those higher in the chain of command.

Acting with Ethics and Integrity: The ability to be consistent, honest, and a trustworthy steward of State resources.

Adapting to Change: The ability to adjust plans, expectations, and behaviors in response to change.

Communicating Effectively: The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas.

Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to comply with policies and procedures of the organization as well as State Civil Service rules, and all applicable federal and state laws.

Learning Actively: The ability to acquire necessary knowledge and skills to improve performance and achieve organizational goals.

Thinking Strategically: The ability to generate insights and identify opportunities for future growth of the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of law enforcement, investigatory, or gaming regulation experience; OR

Six years of full-time work experience in any field; OR

A bachelor's degree.

Experience Substitution

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Necessary Special Requirements

An applicant who has been convicted of a felony or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from the disabilities imposed by state and federal laws are granted.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

Job Duties and Other Information

An Investigative Specialist 1 Performs The Following Duties:

• Requests, receives, compiles, and disseminates criminal intelligence data.
• Completes routine field requests and gains proficiency in research, analytical, and system retrieval skills.
• Assists an Investigative Specialist 2 or 3 in complex criminal investigations.
• Performs background investigations of all applicants seeking approval by the Office of State Police.
• Researches and analyzes intelligence or investigative reports, public documents and departmental and commercial databases, then disseminates time sensitive information vital to officer and public safety to investigators, road personnel and management personnel.
• Acts as an affiliate between the Louisiana State Police and other state, local and federal law enforcement and criminal justice agencies by providing tactical and strategic analytical support.
• Acts in the capacity of Investigative Specialist, receiving request for general tactical analytical support, researching and analyzing intelligence or criminal investigative reports as required by investigators from state, federal and local law enforcement agencies with the ability to respond to call outs overnight deployments and special details away from official domicile.
• Prepares written reports, and recommendations in the form of intelligence assessments and detailed factual reports along
• Assists in the evaluation and analyzation of criminal intelligence information for the purpose of identifying emerging trends and predict the capabilities, intentions and vulnerabilities of organized crime groups/organizations of a highly sophisticated and complex nature and makes recommendations for investigative strategies.
• May be subpoenaed to testify in local, state and federal courts providing courtroom presentations and testimony on case specific matters. The analyst contributes expert courtroom testimony for cases in which they have provided analytical input and support, while supplying judges and/or juries with visual aids, such as charts and slides, and written reports detailing an overview of the criminal activity.
• Assists in the preparation and presentation of crime specific oral classroom appearances or networking intelligence meetings to State Police, local, federal and other state law enforcement investigators.
• Must be able to obtain Federal Government security clearances.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational, Job Appointment, or Promotional

Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Investigative Specialist 1, 2, or 3.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule for this position will be 8:00am-4:30pm, but may include some weekends and holidays. This position is located in New Orleans.

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Investigative Specialist 1 (AS-612)—$1,470.40/biweekly

Investigative Specialist 2 (AS-613)—$1,583.60/bi-weekly

How To Apply

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information

Department of Public Safety

ATTN: Human Resources/Kristin Garcia

P.O. BOX 66614

Baton Rouge, LA. 70896

Email:***email_hidden***

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

Insurance Coverage

More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement – State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

To ensure compliance with DPS-PSS Policy 01-02.01 Nepotism, no individual may be hired, promoted, demoted or transferred within DPS, if the individual is related to another employee who is, or would be, within their line of supervision. Relative is defined as: child, step-child, sibling, spouse, parent, step-parent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandchild, grandparent, and any "in law" relationship. Are you related to anyone employed with the Department of Public Safety, Public Safety Services?

• Yes
• No

If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the name of your relative and relationship. If you answered "no" to the above question, enter N/A.

AEI: Acting with Ethics and Integrity - How well do you make choices that reflect ethical standards, integrity, and honesty—even when it’s difficult or inconvenient?

• I ignore ethical standards, withhold information, or show bias or poor judgment.
• I follow rules, share information, and try to avoid ethical missteps.
• I act with integrity, respect confidentiality, and treat people fairly.
• I promote ethics, model transparency, and help others act with fairness across teams.

AEI: Acting with Ethics and Integrity - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

MAJ: Making Accurate Judgments - How do you make decisions when faced with choices, risks, or limited information?

• I make reactive or delayed decisions and sometimes overlook risks, priorities, or potential bias.
• I try to weigh options but struggle when there’s uncertainty, competing priorities, or unclear outcomes.
• I make timely, well-reasoned decisions by using available information, context, and trade-offs.
• I make sound decisions in complex situations, lead others through ambiguity, and adapt as new information emerges.

MAJ: Making Accurate Judgments - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

TCr: Thinking Critically - How do you analyze information and draw meaningful conclusions from it?

• I miss key details or oversimplify information, and my conclusions may not be based on evidence.
• I try to analyze information, but I may overlook the relevance or credibility of my sources.
• I analyze key information, consider the evidence, and form logical conclusions based on credible sources.
• I uncover deeper insights by connecting different sources, questioning assumptions, and identifying patterns.

TCr: Thinking Critically - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

UD: Using Data - How do you work with data to generate insights or inform decisions?

• I struggle to collect, analyze, or use data effectively, and I may misuse or present sensitive information incorrectly.
• I can work with basic data, but I may miss key trends, present it unclearly, or need help applying insights.
• I collect accurate data, identify patterns, share insights clearly, and use data to make informed, ethical decisions.
• I use advanced techniques to uncover insights, tell clear data stories, and proactively protect sensitive information.

UD: Using Data - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

ADi: Accepting Direction - How well do you accept guidance, follow instructions, and adjust when given feedback?

• I resist direction, ignore feedback, and need reminders to complete tasks.
• I follow direction with reminders and often need clarification or support.
• I follow direction reliably, adjust to feedback, and complete tasks on time.
• I adapt quickly, follow through, and help others adjust as needed.

ADi: Accepting Direction - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

Previous state experience or other experience WILL NOT be researched at this stage of the hiring process. Information not present on the actual application will not be considered for qualifying purposes. Did you list ALL of your job experience and education on your application? If not, please add to your profile before submitting.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question