Motor Vehicle Investigator

About the Department

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.  

The Bureau of Investigation and Identity Protection is currently recruiting for an Investigator to join our team! If you are naturally inquisitive and seeking a challenging, yet satisfying investigative opportunity, join the Iowa Department of Transportation’s investigative unit. As an investigator, you will perform field inspection and investigative work relating to vehicle registration and title fraud, vehicle dealer licensing, theft examinations on salvage vehicles, driver's license fraud and related identity theft, fee for new registration fraud, odometer fraud, and stolen vehicles. 

Iowa DOT’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa DOT’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

Location: The candidate selected for this position will be required to reside in one of the following counties upon hire: Webster, Wright, Carroll, or Greene County. 

Shift: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Occasional overnight travel will be required.

Pay Range: $34.90 to $52.73 an hour

Investigators work independently and are responsible for making decisions based upon information gathered. Investigators report to either the Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection’s Commander or Director, who in turn report to the Motor Vehicle Division’s director. 

Vehicle title and registration: Investigators are responsible for assigning vehicle identification numbers to vehicles that have had the identification number lost, stolen or damaged. When a vehicle is homemade or reconstructed, an investigator must examine it to check for compliance with the Iowa Code and Iowa DOT Administrative Rules. Responsibilities also include investigating cases involving fraudulent applications for motor vehicle titles, violations of the ownership and transfer of motor vehicles, and complaints of identity theft related to the application and issuance of Iowa registration and title documents.

Odometer fraud: Odometer fraud involves the fraudulent reduction of mileage on a vehicle to inflate its value. Investigators compile information and develop cases for possible prosecution on odometer fraud in cooperation with Iowa's Office of the Attorney General.

Fee for new registration fraud (formerly use tax fraud): These investigations pertain to the sale and transfer of motor vehicles and aircraft subject to registration when the purchase price may have been fraudulently represented resulting in tax evasion. The investigator obtains title records, bills of sale, and cancelled checks; and conducts interviews to determine if a violation occurred. If criminal charges are warranted, the investigator files appropriate charges with the county attorney's office.

Driver's license fraud and related identity theft: These investigations involve the fraudulent alteration, manufacture, and application for Iowa driver’s licenses and non-operator’s identification (ID) cards. Investigators interview witnesses and suspects, examine documents to determine their authenticity, and compile information for prosecution. They investigate complaints of identity theft related to the application and issuance of Iowa driver's license, ID cards and driving convictions. Investigators also provide training to law enforcement agencies, the Iowa DOT's Motor Vehicle Division staff, along with a variety of other private and public agencies on the detection of driver's license fraud and related identity theft.

Motor vehicle dealer license: Investigators conduct on-site inspections for dealer license applicants to determine if the facility meets minimum state standards for licensing as a motor vehicle dealer. Audits of licensed dealers are also conducted to ensure compliance with the Iowa Code and Administrative Rules. Consumer complaints against licensed dealers are investigated by motor vehicle investigators.


REQUIREMENTS: 
  - This position is open to all qualified applicants who meet minimum requirements set forth by Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and are currently certified as a peace officer in the State of Iowa. 
 - A valid driver's license must be possessed and maintained. 
 - Upon hire, must maintain certification as a salvage vehicle theft examiner and maintain status as a certified Iowa peace officer.
 - Must maintain status as a certified Iowa peace officer including passing a semiannual firearms qualification test. 
 - Must complete an annual health physical by a licensed physician or surgeon and be found to meet the physical requirements necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a law enforcement officer. 
 - Must maintain certification as a salvage vehicle theft examiner. 
 - Must obtain and maintain certification for access and use of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:
•Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
•Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed here.
•Opportunities for professional growth and development.
•Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
•Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
•Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
•Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).
We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [email protected].

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov 

Position Duties

111 Law Enforcement Academy Graduate
Applicant must be a graduate from an accredited law enforcement academy approved by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Applicants must state on their application that they have graduated from an accredited academy.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation and certification from an academy approved by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), and experience equal to two years of full-time peace officer work in the application, interpretation, investigation, and enforcement of motor vehicle laws and regulations.
2. A minimum of thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in one or more of the following areas: law enforcement, corrections, criminal justice, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law.
3. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Motor Vehicle Officer

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Other Qualifications

• Some positions in this class may require certification as a peace officer at the time of application.
• Certain positions must, within six months of employment, become Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance certified for level 1 commercial vehicle inspections, including hazardous materials and cargo tanks, and must maintain annual certification requirements.
• All qualified applicants who have not obtained peace officer certification from an approved Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) course of instruction must be eligible for enrollment in the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy training program in accordance with Iowa Administrative Rule 501 Chapter 2. Screening for the Academy includes:

Benefits

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of IowaAgency 645 Iowa Department of Transportation Address 800 Lincoln Way

Ames, Iowa, 50010 Website https://iowadot.gov/careers/