Section: Diversion Unit – Bureau of Narcotics Investigation & Drug Control/Criminal Law Division
Class: Narcotics Agent Trainee/I/II
Location: Wilkes-Barre
Telework: Limited ad-hoc telework opportunities available with supervisor approval and based on business need.
Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Union
Work Hours: 8:30 – 5:00
Salary Range: Narcotics Agent Trainee: Starting salary of $55,707
Narcotics Agent I: Starting salary of $63,677
Narcotics Agent II: Starting salary of $72,795
Basic Function
This is criminal investigative work of a highly confidential nature involving the detection and investigation of violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act; and other applicable Commonwealth laws and statutes. Agents assigned to the Diversion Unit conduct investigations involving Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, health care workers, and other individuals in the medical field.
An employee in this position conducts or provides assistance with the conduct of criminal investigations which vary in the degree of difficulty and significance by employing all aspects of investigative processes and procedures. A Narcotics Agent I conducts investigations of cases of limited scope and complexity under the direction and guidance of an experienced agent and/or supervisor. A Narcotics Agent II may conduct an investigation independently or as a case agent coordinating the efforts of a team or as a team member and may provide direction and guidance to a less experienced agent. Assignments increase in the degree of difficulty as the employee gains greater knowledge and skill through training and exposure to the entire spectrum of the investigative processes and procedures. Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for technical accuracy, thoroughness, and the application of sound judgment.
Narcotics Agents work in an undercover capacity in various situations and in high crime areas throughout the Commonwealth. Assignments may require that the employee work irregular hours and/or an irregular work week, and may include extended stays away from the headquartered location.
A Narcotics Agent Trainee/I could perform the below duties under the direction and guidance of an experienced agent and/or supervisor. A Narcotics Agent II could perform the below duties independently.
- Participates in formal classroom and on-the-job training to acquire the necessary knowledge and skill for the competent conduct of criminal investigations
- Conducts criminal investigations pursuant to the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act (an Act of April 16, 1972, P.L. 233, No. 64)
- Collects, evaluates, develops, and prepares evidence for presentation for prosecution or provides assistance with this task
- Conducts surveillance of individuals or locations
- Seeks out, contacts, and develops informants to procure information or receives training and instruction in the principles of seeking out, contacting, and developing informants to procure information relating to violations of the Controlled Substance Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act and other applicable Commonwealth laws and statutes
- Conducts interviews of witnesses and interrogation of subjects to ascertain information, evidence, and confessions
- Prepares criminal complaints and search warrants
- Makes arrests and executes searches pursuant to court-authorized warrants
- Upon the receipt of Class A certification, conducts both consensual electronic and court-authorized surveillance
- Examines financial records and legal documents to detect and/or confirm illegal activity
- Inspects licensed individuals and establishments involved in legitimate drug distribution
- Prepares and executes administrative warrants and assists in the conduct of audits on licensed practitioners
- Participates in raids and undercover assignments
- Prepares written summary reports of investigative activities and detailed reports of investigations setting forth allegations and evidence
- Conducts seizures of vehicles and other conveyances and prepares all documents necessary for forfeiture proceedings
- Collects, prepares, and submits evidence for laboratory analysis
- Appears in court, before a district justice, a statewide investigating grand jury, and all levels of the judicial process to present testimony and evidence as a prosecution witness
- Is required to qualify with a Bureau approved firearm at predetermined intervals
- May be required to use a firearm in self-defense, the defense of fellow agents, the public, or to prevent the commission of felonious crimes
- Other duties as required
Qualification for Narcotics Agent Trainee:
Applicants that do not have Act 120 certification, or a certification from an equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, but that meet the minimum experience and training for a Narcotics Agent I or Narcotics Agent II as outlined below, will be hired as Narcotics Agent Trainees.
Agent Trainees must participate in and successfully complete the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program (CITP) and must participate in the Office of Attorney General Agent Field Training Program.
Upon successful completion of the CITP, Narcotics Agent Trainees will be reclassified to Narcotics Agent I or Narcotics Agent II based on their education and investigative experience.
Qualifications for Narcotics Agent I and Narcotics Agent II:
In addition to the below qualifications, applicants must have Act 120 certification, certification from an Act 120 equivalent training program as determined by the Office of Attorney General, or have successfully completed the Commonwealth Investigators Training Program.
Narcotics Agent I:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position OR
- Four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
- Four years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge OR
- Any equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training
Narcotics Agent II:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and four years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration, or a related major specific to the criminal investigative field, or a technical or specialized major related to a specific position, and one year of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
- Six years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
- Four years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge, and two years of relevant law enforcement or investigative experience, or experience in a technical or specialized field related to a specific position OR
- Six years of active duty military experience with honorable discharge including two years as a Military Police Officer with the Criminal Investigations Division or a relevant Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) OR
- Any equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training