Motor Vehicle Investigator- DMV

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is pleased to announce an opening for a Motor Vehicle Investigator within the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), located in Boise, Idaho. This dynamic role offers the opportunity to deliver exceptional customer service to vehicle owners, county officials, and dealerships throughout the state.

As a Motor Vehicle Investigator, you will be responsible for monitoring motor vehicle dealer operations to ensure they comply with state laws and regulations related to dealer licensing and vehicle title processing. Your duties will also include assisting customers with complex title issues involving unclear ownership and conducting field inspections and investigations into vehicle-related fraud, theft, and registration matters.

If you are a motivated self-starter, committed to community service, and eager to make a meaningful impact in the transportation industry, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity

**IMPORTANT NOTICE:

• This position is granted LIMITED peace officer authority. 
• A criminal background investigation will be required before appointment and annually to satisfy state bonding and deputization requirements. The successful candidate will have no convictions or withheld judgment of a felony or certain misdemeanors or have any indictment or information pending for any offense.  Please review the ITD Background Disqualifiers.
• A driving record check will be required. 
• These positions will require frequent travel.

 Example of Duties:

 Example of Duties:

Deliver customer service by:

• Assisting individuals with unclear vehicle ownership
• Performing detailed VIN inspections and confirming, reassigning, or assigning VIN numbers
• Processing vehicle title applications for clients
• Supporting local County DMV partners

Utilize vehicle title expertise by:

• Processing, reviewing, and issuing vehicle titles
• Inspecting vehicles and title documents to determine proper ownership
• Auditing dealership title records
• Addressing customer complaints regarding vehicle ownership status
• Investigating fraudulent titles and ownership documents from various states

Regulate dealerships in Idaho by:

• Providing education to licensed dealers on the parameters of dealer licensing
• Performing dealer lot inspections to approve or disapprove proposed locations
• Verify proper use of dealer license plates
• Confirm accurate title filing procedures
• Perform regular visits to licensed dealers to answer questions
• Audit dealership locations, records, inventory, and other requirements necessary to obtain and hold a license in the state
• Conduct enforcement activities against licensed dealers when clear violations of Idaho code are evident. This may include suspension of license or citation issuance.

Additional duties include:

• Investigating complaints and violations against dealers, salespersons or individuals related to title fraud, odometer tampering, and false or misleading advertising
• Documenting detailed written reports of investigations
• Provide support to various enforcement agencies by providing technical assistance when they are conducting investigations or identifying vehicles.
• Testify in legal hearings on behalf of the Idaho Transportation Department
• Required to work under minimal supervision exercising strong organization and prioritization skills.
• Able to work both independently as well as in a team environment
• Conduct training sessions on dealer license education and other related procedures

Minimum Qualifications: **You must possess all the minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. Please make sure your resume or work history supports your meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Failure to do this may disqualify you from being considered for this position.

Some knowledge of:

• Motor vehicle laws relating to sales, licensing, and titling requirements: Typically gained by experience as a licensed vehicle salesman, vehicle dealership employee or government licensing authority employee which has provided basic knowledge of motor vehicle regulations including dealership sales activities and general retail business practices.
• Basic automobile components: Typically gained by working as an auto mechanic, insurance adjuster, auto body repairman or similar experience. Related coursework may also qualify.

Experience:

• Reviewing complaints, collecting, and evaluating data and preparing circumstantial reports with recommendations: Typically gained by experience comparable to insurance claims adjuster, customer service representative or similar experience that demonstrates resolving problems and making decisions within legal or administrative guidelines.
• Interpreting and applying requirements of federal or state licensing laws: Typically gained by experience reviewing, interpreting, and applying regulations for business licensing, individual licensing, vehicle titling and vehicle identification.
• Valid driver's license

Highly Desirable Qualifications: 

• Committed to integrity and transparency in all interactions, providing courteous and respectful service to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to design, develop, and deliver effective training sessions to groups.
• Skilled in gathering investigative information from a variety of sources, including social media platforms and online databases, to verify vehicle ownership, sales activities, and identify unlicensed dealer operations.
• Demonstrated experience in providing exceptional customer service to support organizational goals and exceed expectations.
• Capable of building and maintaining productive working relationships with county officials, dealerships, and local and state law enforcement agencies; able to make sound, independent decisions based on available information.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and composure in high-pressure or tense situations, while consistently demonstrating ethical behavior.
• Strong understanding of Idaho Code, Title 49, with the ability to accurately interpret, explain, and enforce relevant statutes and clearly communicate information related to violations.

Supplemental Information:

The individuals in these positions will assist customers in verifying proper vehicle ownership and investigate complaints and violations involving motor vehicle dealers and salespersons. Areas of investigation include title fraud, odometer tampering, false or misleading advertising, and licensing issues. They will support dealerships in understanding and complying with both Idaho and federal laws, rules, and regulations, as well as provide training and educational resources. Additional responsibilities include conducting fieldwork such as verifying vehicle identification numbers, assigning or reassigning VINs, and ensuring accurate vehicle identification.

These roles involve close collaboration with various law enforcement agencies to investigate vehicle-related crimes, identify vehicles, issue citations or warnings, prepare detailed investigative reports, and recommend administrative or criminal actions when appropriate. Investigators operate independently with minimal supervision, managing and prioritizing their own workloads.

Physical demands of the job include crawling under or over vehicles, lifting parts weighing up to 40 pounds, scraping and inspecting components, and using tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, drills, and chemicals to identify vehicle parts. The work may be performed alone and sometimes in high-pressure situations. Investigators must be able to operate a state-issued vehicle in various weather and road conditions and may be exposed to hazardous materials. The role requires frequent travel, including overnight stays of up to three to four days at a time.

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/.

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected]. 

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.