State of Tennessee
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DCS INVESTIGATOR 3 - 01082026-74113
role at
State of Tennessee
Job Information
Opening Date/Time: 01/08/2026 12:00 AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 01/14/2026 11:59 PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly): $4,562.00 - $6,825.00
Salary (Annually): $54,744.00 - $81,900.00
Job Type: Full‑Time
Location: Clarksville, TN
Department: Children’s Services, Child and Family Management Division, Montgomery County
Qualifications Education and Experience: Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor’s degree and two years of full‑time professional experience investigating fraudulent or criminal activity or child abuse and neglect.
Experience for Education Substitution: Military, Law Enforcement, or other professional investigative experience may be substituted on a year‑for‑year basis.
Necessary Special Qualifications
Must be at least twenty‑one (21) years of age on the date of application;
Be a citizen of the United States;
Possess a valid driver’s license prior to and during employment;
Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation;
Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
Have no conviction for a felony;
Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointment authority;
Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint‑based criminal history records check;
Submit to and pass a pre‑employment screening test for use of illegal drugs.
Overview This classification performs professional investigative work of considerable difficulty and lead work of average difficulty, and performs related work as required. An employee in this class performs investigations at DCS field offices, homes, secure institutions, and contracted agencies from an assigned area of the state. This class differs from the DCS Investigator 2 class in that this class may act as a lead and handle the most complex cases. This class differs from the DCS Investigator Supervisor in that incumbents of the latter function in a supervisory capacity to DCS Investigators.
Responsibilities
Serves as a team lead and may serve as a mentor for DCS Investigator 1* and DCS Investigator 2* positions.
Receives verbal and/or written complaints to determine if an inquiry/investigation will be authorized and if DCS policies and procedures have been violated. Identifies and gathers complete, accurate, and pertinent information to assess validity of allegations received and provides supervisor with status updates as requested or required by policy.
Conducts interviews with multiple individuals to obtain information relevant to the allegation. Documents accurate information from an interview in a timely manner per policy.
Identifies and collects evidence/data of relevance. Analyzes evidence to interpret sequence of events, to determine the focus of the investigation, or to develop investigative leads to determine if it supports the allegation.
Prepares reports for court. Appears in court/administrative hearings to testify to findings in cases/investigative summaries.
Uses policy, training, and experience/knowledge in the review of relevant information to determine plan of action or resolution.
Develops and maintains relationships with outside groups, law enforcement agencies, court officials and other governmental agencies. Communicates with coordinating agencies, victims, and court system regarding investigative activity and provides interpretation of reports/investigative leads to concerned/involved parties.
Determines if a policy violation or abuse/neglect has occurred. Identifies the perpetrator, the level of risk or harm, and determines the need for additional steps.
Coordinates work assignments and activities of law enforcement/investigative peers in joint investigations.
Competencies (KSA's)
Decision Quality
Ensures Accountability
Builds Networks
Communicates Effectively
Manages Ambiguity
Knowledge
Law and Government
Public Safety and Security
Skills
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Writing
Abilities
Written Comprehension
Deductive Reasoning
Information Ordering
Tools & Equipment
Mobile Phones
State Owned Vehicles
Laptop
Tablet
Audio Recorder
#J-18808-Ljbffr
DCS INVESTIGATOR 3 - 01082026-74113
role at
State of Tennessee
Job Information
Opening Date/Time: 01/08/2026 12:00 AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 01/14/2026 11:59 PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly): $4,562.00 - $6,825.00
Salary (Annually): $54,744.00 - $81,900.00
Job Type: Full‑Time
Location: Clarksville, TN
Department: Children’s Services, Child and Family Management Division, Montgomery County
Qualifications Education and Experience: Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor’s degree and two years of full‑time professional experience investigating fraudulent or criminal activity or child abuse and neglect.
Experience for Education Substitution: Military, Law Enforcement, or other professional investigative experience may be substituted on a year‑for‑year basis.
Necessary Special Qualifications
Must be at least twenty‑one (21) years of age on the date of application;
Be a citizen of the United States;
Possess a valid driver’s license prior to and during employment;
Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation;
Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
Have no conviction for a felony;
Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointment authority;
Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint‑based criminal history records check;
Submit to and pass a pre‑employment screening test for use of illegal drugs.
Overview This classification performs professional investigative work of considerable difficulty and lead work of average difficulty, and performs related work as required. An employee in this class performs investigations at DCS field offices, homes, secure institutions, and contracted agencies from an assigned area of the state. This class differs from the DCS Investigator 2 class in that this class may act as a lead and handle the most complex cases. This class differs from the DCS Investigator Supervisor in that incumbents of the latter function in a supervisory capacity to DCS Investigators.
Responsibilities
Serves as a team lead and may serve as a mentor for DCS Investigator 1* and DCS Investigator 2* positions.
Receives verbal and/or written complaints to determine if an inquiry/investigation will be authorized and if DCS policies and procedures have been violated. Identifies and gathers complete, accurate, and pertinent information to assess validity of allegations received and provides supervisor with status updates as requested or required by policy.
Conducts interviews with multiple individuals to obtain information relevant to the allegation. Documents accurate information from an interview in a timely manner per policy.
Identifies and collects evidence/data of relevance. Analyzes evidence to interpret sequence of events, to determine the focus of the investigation, or to develop investigative leads to determine if it supports the allegation.
Prepares reports for court. Appears in court/administrative hearings to testify to findings in cases/investigative summaries.
Uses policy, training, and experience/knowledge in the review of relevant information to determine plan of action or resolution.
Develops and maintains relationships with outside groups, law enforcement agencies, court officials and other governmental agencies. Communicates with coordinating agencies, victims, and court system regarding investigative activity and provides interpretation of reports/investigative leads to concerned/involved parties.
Determines if a policy violation or abuse/neglect has occurred. Identifies the perpetrator, the level of risk or harm, and determines the need for additional steps.
Coordinates work assignments and activities of law enforcement/investigative peers in joint investigations.
Competencies (KSA's)
Decision Quality
Ensures Accountability
Builds Networks
Communicates Effectively
Manages Ambiguity
Knowledge
Law and Government
Public Safety and Security
Skills
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Writing
Abilities
Written Comprehension
Deductive Reasoning
Information Ordering
Tools & Equipment
Mobile Phones
State Owned Vehicles
Laptop
Tablet
Audio Recorder
#J-18808-Ljbffr