Job Description

AZ DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS


The Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions licenses, monitors, investigates, examines, and ensures the safety and soundness of, regulated entities. The Department also helps resolve consumer complaints against financial-services and insurance entities; takes action in response to violations of law; encourages competition, innovation, and economic development; collects taxes and assessments that support State government operations; combats auto theft and insurance fraud through public awareness campaigns, and funding for law enforcement and dedicated prosecutors.



Our mission is to help Arizonans receive the benefits and protections to which they are legally entitled by enforcing insurance and financial institution laws and by providing information and assistance and to combat vehicle theft.

SPECIAL AGENT

Must be AZPOST Certified

Job Location:

100 North 15th Avenue


Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Hourly Pay Rate: $39.23



Grade: 21



Closing date: 1/30/26

Job Summary:

This position is regarded as a State law enforcement contact point for information specific to Civil and Criminal Insurance Codes and Industry Regulations. Applicants for the special agent position must be AZPOST certified peace officers or within 3 years of active certification. Applicants must pass an oral board interview, pre-employment interview, background check; to include polygraph examination, AZPOST medical and drug testing.



Under the general supervision of the Special Agent Supervisor, agents perform statewide, national, and, at times, international investigations. The position requires working with a high degree of independence as well as with other state, local and federal law enforcement partners. The work involves long hours of research, interviewing suspects, hostile witnesses, and making arrests.


At times agents are required to work fluctuating work schedules, and may involve danger while working undercover. Travel is required throughout the State of Arizona, including interstate and international journeys at times.



This position is distinguished from other investigator classes by its responsibility for writing affidavits to obtain warrants, court-authorized searches, seizures, wiretaps, and arrests.


The highly complex nature of the investigations are not limited to agency-specific violations. Agents may be called upon to conduct follow-up investigations in foreign countries. Case expertise requirements include but are not limited to an intricate knowledge of investigating financial crimes, document crimes, workers compensation fraud, life insurance fraud, vehicle theft fraud, illegal enterprises, and organized criminal syndicates.



This position requires investigation to articulate details of an investigation and problem solve with supervisors, prosecuting attorneys and at times defense attorneys and other law enforcement agencies.

Job Duties:

Confer with prosecuting attorneys (e.g. Asst. Attorney General, county prosecutors) concerning investigations

Interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects on the telephone or in person. Planning case strategy

Preparing and serving search warrants; conducting searches; seizing and securing evidence

Engaging in undercover investigation operations; conducting surveillance of case suspects

Preparing arrest warrants; physically arresting suspects and booking suspects in jail

Testifying in criminal, civil and administrative proceedings

Managing case files and evidence; preparing case reports

Reviewing information and documents; analyzing data

Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge:

Knowledge of civil and criminal laws applicable in the State of Arizona, particularly Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS title 13 and 20), Federal and local laws concerning fraud, misrepresentation, theft, embezzlement, money laundering, participating in a criminal enterprise and racketeering

Knowledge and experience applying methods, techniques, in a criminal investigation involving white-collar or organized crime

Knowledge of Arizona Criminal Justice Information System ACJIS policies, procedures, guidelines and system

Knowledge of the rules of evidence and the proper control of the chain of evidence

Knowledge of principles, practices and priorities of case management

Knowledge of court procedures, practices, rules and traditions

Knowledge of word-processing and spreadsheet software

Skills:

Skill in communicating professionally and diplomatically, under difficult and even contentious circumstances

Skill in applying methods and techniques of undercover law enforcement work and surveillance

Skills in analyzing documents and records

Ability:

Ability to work as part of a team of investigators (requiring interpersonal skills) as well as independently

Ability to use computing and communications (telephone, two-way radios, fax, etc.) equipment

Ability to control behavior under unusually difficult and dangerous circumstances

Ability to safely drive a motorized vehicle

Ability to apply sound judgment

Ability to work independently

Selective Preference(s):

Professional investigative experience performing substantially similar duties at a federal, state, or local law enforcement or government investigative agency

Applicants must meet all the requirements for certification by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST)

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Applicants must meet all the requirements for certification by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST)

Applicants must create an account with AZPOST and fill out the AZPOST application, personal and medical history online

Driving Requirements:

Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver license record checks, required to maintain acceptable driving records and complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.11)

Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver license appropriate to the assignment

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

Vacation plus 10 paid holidays per year

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Sick leave

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

Please note that enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

Contact Us:

* If you have any questions please feel free to contact Debbie Muhlestein at debbie.muhlestein@difi.az.gov