Environmental Police Investigator

Please ensure that you fill out this DPS criminal background check permission form (Download PDF reader).(you must open this in internet explorer to digitally sign). All that is needed is your name, signature, and the date.  You will need to attach this to your application. CRIMINAL CHECKS CAN NOT BE RUN WITHOUT THIS FORM AND YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.

Perform all duties assigned by the District Attorney; perform duties assigned by the Chief Investigator, performs criminal investigations focused on identifying, investigating and alleviating sources of illegal dumping, littering, public nuisance, septic tank violations, pursuant to the laws of the State of Texas, assists attorneys on cases by obtaining certified copies of documents, conducting follow-up interviews with victims/witnesses, coordinating polygraph examinations, and photographing crime scenes; assists various attorneys with all aspects of a trial, including juries, evidence, testimony, and progress of the case; assists with grand jury and pre-trial hearings, including presenting cases and serving as bailiff; serve subpoenas for witnesses and records; conducts special investigations upon request. From here on out, the term "environmental crimes" refers to violations of the laws of the State of Texas including, but not limited to: the Texas Health and Safety Code, the Texas Water Code, the Texas Agriculture Code, the Texas Health and Safety Code, and the Texas Penal Code.

• Perform all duties assigned by the District Attorney.
• Perform all duties assigned by the Chief Investigator.

• In conducting these investigations, the investigator shall utilize his professional discretion with regards to cleanup of any violations of the law. It is suggested that the Investigator follow the protocol of the TCEQ when documenting violations and determining appropriate action, initiating enforcement action, and calculating penalties, reaching agreed orders for penalty amounts, participating in enforcement actions, end enforcing final orders. While the TCEQ has established guidelines, they are suggestive and not dispositive.
• Document and remediation action, receive receipts from waste facilities regarding disposal, track contact with offenders, track citations issued, track warnings issued, track criminal prosecutions, track civil litigation, and track any additional information as may be instructed by the District Attorney or Chief Investigator.
• Investigations may require the Investigator to travel to remote parts of the county, inspect equipment, inspect trash and or dump sites by more than visual inspection, inspect septic tanks, or any other items or location wherein an environmental crime may be committed. This job may require the Investigator to get dirty while searching a location.
• Assist with civil investigations pertaining to environmental crimes and assist any attorney who represents Midland County in the litigation of the case.
• Provide Solid Waste Disposal training to the public and private organizations within the county.
• Conduct follow-up investigations to insure compliance with the laws of the State of Texas.
• Assigned duties are performed during regular working hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, however, some assignments may require working after hours, weekends, or holidays.
• Serves as liaison with various law enforcement agencies, including requesting more information for cases and obtaining Agency Offense Reports as they pertain to environmental crimes.
• Locate victims, witnesses, and defendants as needed for interviews or statements.
• Serve subpoenas for victims, witnesses, and attorneys' requests for certified copies of materials, such as court documents, death verifications, agency reports, jail records, photographs, fingerprint cards, vehicle registration, and driver's license.
• Obtains certified copies of materials, such as court documents, death verifications, agency reports, jail records, photographs, fingerprint cards, vehicle registrations, driver's licenses, and "pen packs" when subpoenas are not required.
• Pick up requested materials and evidence from other agencies.
• Interviews and takes statements from the victims and/or witnesses in a case, including contacting the appropriate parties, asking questions, and discussing the case with them.
• Communicates with defense attorneys, including helping to work out pleas and obtaining information to be investigated.
• Transport witness, defendants, and prisoners either local, out of county or out of state
• Photograph and/or obtain city plat maps of crime scenes for court presentation.
• Attend interviews between attorneys (prosecution or defense) and victims, witness, and defendants.
• Testify in Court when needed.
• Schedules and coordinates polygraph examinations, including copying the case for the examiner, reviewing the case with the examiner, transporting subject to and from the examination site, observing the examination, reviewing the results with the examiner, taking statements or confessions if needed, and reporting results to the attorney on the case.
• Assists attorneys in trial, including setting up exhibits, operating sound and visual systems, obtaining background information on witnesses, and keep witnesses ready to testify.
• Sign affidavits of complaints for attorneys.
• Request, receives, and distribute restitution for victims.
• Assist attorneys during misdemeanor arraignments.
• Assists other law enforcement agencies on investigations, including reviewing cases, investigating crime scenes, performing surveillance functions, and serving warrants.
• Answer calls from citizens requesting assistance.
• Pick up and deliver supplies and equipment from vendors that are needed for the office.
• Assists with Grand Juries and pre-trial hearings, including serving as bailiff, presenting cases, serving subpoenas, transporting witnesses and prisoners to and from courthouse, delivering subpoenaed records, and obtaining certified copies of records.
• Provides security as needed for district courts, grand jury, pre-trial hearings, and Commissioners Court meetings.
• Witness Court ordered drug evidence destruction.
• Maintain educational and training requirements for Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.
• Perform all duties as a certified peace officer of the State of Texas.
• Monitor local law enforcement radio communications and assist other agencies as needed.
• Maintain the County issued vehicle and equipment in a clean and good working condition.
• Assist the other Investigators when needed to perform any of the essential duties and responsibilities.
• Obtain specialized training in the area of environmental crimes and enforcement.

• Must possess a valid TCOLE license
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License
• Must be able to communicate clearly written and verbal
• Must have an ability to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies
• Must pass a background check, submit to a drug test, and meet all Midland County requirements for employment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
•  Minimum of 10 years law enforcement experience.
• Minimum of 3 years investigation experience in law enforcement.
• Advanced Peace Officer Certification

Texas Criminal Code rules and procedures; the legal system; personal computers and software; safe operation of firearms; use of still and video cameras; operation of office equipment, including copy machine and facsimile machine; operation of investigative equipment, including fingerprint equipment, communication equipment, and criminal investigations and trials.

 Self-motivated, read, analyze, and interpret case information; determine priority of tasks and/or items to be gathered for investigations; gather various information related to cases; write reports, memos, and letters; interview victims, witnesses, suspects, and defendants in cases to collect statements and confessions; photograph and analyze crime scenes; communicate effectively, both in person and on the phone; analyze trial and courtroom proceedings, including making recommendations to attorneys regarding witnesses, evidence, and juries; and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, judges, other law enforcement officers, and co-workers.