Detective Job Description Template

Detective and colleagues going over evidence and piecing together leads.

Whether you’re hiring a detective for a law enforcement agency, corporation, or some other entity, it’s essential to find someone who can successfully lead the investigations they’d handle. While some of the skills will differ depending on the type of employer and the nature of the role, many of the essential skills and values are the same. Most importantly, detectives must have strong investigative, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills as well as exceptional ethical values.

The key to hiring the right detective is to write a detailed job description that attracts candidates with the specific skills you need. If you’re short-staffed and you have a backlog of cases, you likely want to make a thoughtful hire almost as quickly as the right person can identify a cybersecurity threat or find crucial evidence at a crime scene.

It can be helpful to do your due diligence by reading detective job postings on Monster to see how similar organizations are hiring for the role, but we know time is of the essence. You can save time by customizing this detective job description sample to fit your role, responsibilities, and requirements.

Detective and colleagues going over evidence and piecing together leads.

Detective

[Intro Paragraph] Think of this section as an elevator pitch for the role and your organization that drives detectives to apply. If you’re looking for a detective with a particular specialization such as financial crimes, personal crimes, or cybersecurity, note it so you attract qualified candidates. Show why your organization is a great place to work by describing its history, culture, mission, values, and accolades. Attract driven detectives by discussing professional development opportunities, such as career trajectories, networking opportunities, and training programs.

Detective Job Responsibilities: This is where you’ll share a list of the responsibilities so detectives know what to expect and can decide whether they have the necessary skills. For example, you might be looking for a detective who:

  • Leads [criminal, corporate, etc.] investigations.
  • Maintains confidentiality and utmost discretion.
  • Conducts interviews with subjects and witnesses.
  • Gathers and stores physical and digital evidence.
  • Keeps detailed records throughout the investigation.
  • Follows all laws, guidelines, regulations, and standards.
  • Collaborates with coworkers and law enforcement officials.
  • Works with lawyers and judges and testifies in court if necessary.
  • Uses investigation management software and investigative databases.

[Work Hours and Benefits] Detectives rarely work nine to five. Detectives expect that some investigations will require non-traditional work hours and travel. Show that hard work will be rewarded by describing your competitive employee benefits package and financial incentives like overtime, performance bonuses, equity compensation, pension plans, and tuition reimbursement. If you know it, it can be helpful to include a base salary range.

Detective Qualifications and Skills: Use this section of your detective job description to list the necessary and preferred skills and requirements so candidates know whether they’ll be considered qualified. For example, you may want to include the following:

  • Works calmly in fast-paced and sometimes high-pressure situations.
  • Demonstrates strong ethical values and is responsible and trustworthy.
  • Builds strong working relationships and has excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Communicates effectively and has strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Learns quickly and has strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
  • Works well independently and has strong project management and time management skills.

Education and Experience Requirements:

  • An associate or bachelor’s degree in a related major is required.
  • A master’s degree or Juris Doctor degree is preferred.
  • At least [number] of years of related investigative experience is necessary.
  • Must pass any pre-employment assessments.

[Call to Action] The most effective detective job descriptions end with an invitation to apply. Include instructions for how to apply from the job board or your organization’s website. If you have any information about the hiring timeline or process, include it so candidates know the next steps.

Put Your Detective Job Description to Work

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