OIG Special Investigator (CYFD/OIG #8327)

Posting Details At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.

THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANTS LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB

(MONTH and YEAR)

AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES

• Why does the job exist? This position exists to provide the CYFD Office of Inspector General (OIG) with independent, impartial, and professional investigative expertise to ensure accountability, lawful compliance, and operational integrity across CYFD programs, facilities, operations, and personnel. The Special Investigator conducts complex and sensitive investigations into allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, systemic deficiencies, PREA violations, and abuse/neglect within Juvenile Justice Services facilities. The position also identifies risks, inefficiencies, and compliance issues through audits, reviews, inspections, and evaluations. Additionally, the position serves as a CYFD Hearing Officer Administrator for designated administrative hearings, ensuring the completion of administrative hearing tasks related to impartial, legally compliant due process proceedings. Overall, this position safeguards the rights, safety, and well being of children, youth, families, and CYFD staff, and strengthens operational transparency, effectiveness, and public trust. This is a non-law enforcement / non-sworn position. How does it get done? Investigations 50% Conduct complex investigations involving fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, abuse/neglect, and PREA violations. Perform internal affairs investigations, including those potentially resulting in criminal activity. Investigate allegations involving CYFD employees, contractors, volunteers, or service providers. Conduct investigations where conflicts of interest prevent other CYFD investigative entities from acting. Collect, preserve, and analyze evidence (interviews, documents, digital data, surveillance video, physical evidence). Prepare comprehensive investigative reports and briefs for executive leadership or oversight authorities. Provides testimony related to findings during hearings, reviews, or legal processes. Audits, Reviews, Inspections, and Evaluations 20% Conduct or assist with compliance audits, program reviews, and operational inspections. Evaluate adherence to statutes, administrative codes, policies, and mandated standards. Identify systemic risks, deficiencies, inefficiencies, or service gaps. Prepare reports with findings and recommendations for corrective action or improvement. Support assessments of program effectiveness, safety conditions, and resource utilization. Intake, Case Screening, and Interagency Coordination 10% Screen and assess allegations submitted to OIG for investigative priority or disposition. Coordinate with law enforcement, state oversight bodies, and internal CYFD divisions. Maintain accurate documentation and casework administration in OIG case management systems. Reporting, Communication, and Advisory Support 10% Provide case briefings, investigative summaries, and status updates to the Inspector General. Assist in preparing reports for CYFD leadership, and state oversight entities - including the Department of Justice, Office of the State Auditor, Governor¿s Office, or Legislature. Offer investigative and analytical insight to support agency accountability and risk mitigation efforts. CYFD Hearing Officer Administrator 5% Serve as a designated Hearing Officer Administrator, assisting the Hearing Officer, for CYFD administrative hearings. Conduct administrative actions and tasks related to impartial hearings in accordance with state law, administrative rules, and due process requirements. Manage hearing proceedings, evaluate evidence and testimony, and maintain accurate records. Prepare findings of fact and conclusions of law for Hearing Officer to make recommended decisions for final agency action. Ensure fairness, procedural integrity, and consistent application of CYFD policies and regulations. Professional Standards, Compliance, and Training 5% Maintain confidentiality, independence, and adherence to investigative best practices. Participate in training related to investigations, administrative law, PREA, auditing, and ethics. Assist in developing or delivering internal training to support Departmental compliance and ethical standards. Minimum Qualification Bachelor's degree in any field of study from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in investigations, regulation, policy, statutory, and/or contract compliance. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Employment Requirements Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. Working Conditions Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Supplemental Information Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here

Agency Contact Information:

Liam O'Connor, 505-372-9057. Email For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement. Bargaining Unit Position This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.