OAG - Consumer Protection | Investigator IV-V | 26-0583

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, an agency of the State of Texas, works
to protect Texas consumers and the legitimate business community by investigating fraud and deceptive advertising, filing civil lawsuits to enforce state and federal consumer protection laws, and educating Texans on how to spot and avoid possible scams. The Division has regional offices in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio. This position will be located in Dallas. We provide a highly collaborative work environment where team members help one another while managing their own caseloads.

The Consumer Protection Division seeks an investigator to perform highly complex investigative work for the Office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division. Work involves both investigative and legal support work in deceptive trade practices and other civil matters; works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The investigator may testify in civil court proceedings and perform other duties as requested by the Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is a dynamic state agency with over 4000 employees throughout the State of Texas. The Consumer Protection Division works to protect Texas consumers and the legitimate business community by accepting complaints, conducting investigations, filing civil lawsuits in the public interest to enforce state and federal consumer protection laws, and educating Texans on how to spot and avoid possible scams. The Division has regional offices in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso, and Houston. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits (https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance) along with tremendous opportunities to do important work and make a positive difference in the lives of Texans.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS
**Investigator IV: **

• Obtains, organizes, and analyzes information, data, and evidence from a variety of sources associated with consumer complaints and investigations. Performs background investigation of and evidence collection from individuals and businesses suspected of engaging in violations of state and federal consumer protection laws
• Gathers, organizes, analyzes, and maintains evidence and other materials, including evidence from consumer complaints and investigations, internet service providers, and other third parties using a variety of computer platforms. Assists with drafting Civil Investigative Demands and related correspondence
• Identifies violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other consumer protection statutes, associated with consumer-related cases and complaints
• Participates in coordinating, assembling, and preparing evidence, exhibits, affidavits and other documents for use in legal proceedings for use in legal proceedings and in all phases of trial preparation, including setting hearings/depositions/meetings, ordering demonstrative aides, coordinating discovery requests with client agencies, organizing trial notebooks and exhibits, preparing witnesses for trial and files pleadings with court
• Interviews and meets with consumers; and assists with conducting witness background investigations, which includes contacting and interviewing witnesses, analyzing witness statements, taking thorough notes, and preparing interview summaries; organizes documents in complex litigation
• Participates in attorneys’ caseloads including scheduling, prioritizing, investigating, preparing chronologies, fact summaries and filing; communicates with state and federal agencies, court personnel or outside entities; and coordinates with other state and federal agencies and organizations engaged in consumer protection enforcement activities
• Assists in document review using electronic document review platforms
• Provides detailed assistance to less experienced investigators and other office personnel.
• Assists in preparation of various reports, synopses, abstracts, or summaries of ongoing work and may respond to public information requests
• Performs general administrative and clerical duties such as, but not limited to, reviewing mail for attorneys, receiving, and returning telephone calls from businesses and consumers; and maintaining the filing system
• Schedules, attends, assists, and prepares attorneys for hearings, trials, agency meetings, appellate arguments, depositions, docket calls, administrative hearings or committee meetings and meetings with complainants, witnesses, and expert witnesses
• Performs related work as assigned
• Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
• Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
• Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity

**Investigator V: All of the above functions for an Investigator IV, plus: **

• Develop investigative techniques and/or policies and procedures for conducting investigations.
• Serve as a liaison with external entities.