Benefits:
401(k)
Paid time off
Wellness resources
Closes: 7/29/2025
Criminal Investigator
Reports to: Chief of Police
Salary (Grade): $46.15/Hr
Status: Reg. Full-Time (Non-Exempt)
Location: Winnebago Tribal Police Department, Winnebago NE 68071
Job Purpose & Position Overview
The purpose of this position is to perform a variety of duties concerning the enforcement of laws and work as a criminal investigator. This position is a law enforcement professional who specializes in solving crimes by planning and conducting criminal investigations to include collecting evidence, examines records, reports, correspondence, and other data of consequences; conducts interviews with suspects, witnesses, and informants to develop the case; plans and times the serving of warrants and subpoenas, and the participation of other law enforcement personnel; studies cases to determine applicable laws and implement regulations; provides advice and assistance to tribal and federal prosecution in the preparation of cases for presentation to grand juries, federal, state, and tribal court; testifies before grand juries, trial courts, and administrative hearings in matters involving violations of federal, state, or tribal criminal statutes, and civil or administrative violations. The position works to piece together the facts of a case, often collaborating with forensic experts and other law enforcement personnel, to identify suspects and build a case for federal, state, or tribal prosecution. The position is required to enforce local, Tribal, State and Federal regulations; participate in and conduct a variety of criminal investigations; make arrests; provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement programs; and perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities include the following:
Demonstrate the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values.
Abide by all policies/procedures of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the Winnebago Tribal Law Enforcement policies and procedures.
Must attend training to become or maintain law enforcement certification.
Will maintain law and order within the area of assignment by patrolling, investigating suspicious activity, and taking appropriate and/or immediate action, where warranted.
Will work with law enforcement personnel to address community concerns and evaluate community input for issue resolution where applicable.
Organize community forums and provide community orientation on special law enforcement programs that will involve written and oral presentations to community groups and organizations.
Will assist tribal programs and tribal court on follow-up of court cases as requested.
Respond to calls concerning felonies and misdemeanors under Tribal, State, Federal and local laws.
Respond to calls concerning emergencies such as traffic accidents, confrontations, altercations, and disorderly conduct.
Will administer first-aid, NARCAN and/or CPR including use of oxygen and other equipment and techniques when necessary.
Must possess the ability to determine necessary action where serious crime or personal injury traffic accidents are involved. This includes notifying appropriate authorities, safeguarding the scene, identifying and obtaining information from witnesses and developing preliminary investigative leads.
Will make arrests in cases of crimes by physically apprehending and remanding suspects into custody and presenting them to appropriate authority for booking or formal charging.
Will testify at hearings and trials as an expert witness in local, Tribal, State and Federal court as required.
Will be required to prepare statistical reports and submit daily and weekly narratives as needed.
Will diligently and persistently enforce all laws and regulations within authority related to use, possession, distribution, trafficking, and manufacture of a controlled substance.
Must perform all other law enforcement related duties as assigned by the established Chain of Command.
Primary function is performing full range of investigative duties.
Organizes, plans, and conducts the investigation of major and/or sensitive criminal activity occurring on or impacting Indian country, which can be complex and intricate in nature.
Apprehends, arrests, detains and interviews all subjects suspected of violations of Federal, State, Tribal and local laws. Testifies at hearings and trials and secures search warrants through processing of affidavit.
Gathers information at a crime scene, documents interrelationships of facts, relevance of evidence and validity of allegations involving criminal activity.
Prepare and/or review reports of investigations to ensure they are prepared in a clear, concise, logical and impartial manner for submission to the appropriate law enforcement, attorneys or prosecutors office.
Perform surveillance of sites and suspects and/or perform sensitive undercover assignments to obtain evidence, establish probable cause or link multiple suspects and events to criminal activity.
Work closely with the Winnebago Public Safety Commission to ensure department strategies are forecasted correctly.
Special Law Enforcement Commission.
Provide leadership and maintain satisfactory level of morale.
Monitor investigations and make referrals to court.
Maintain and submit reports on crime statistics and police services as required.
Ensure control of records and physical security of all assets coming into the possession of the department though periodic inventories, audits, and oversight provided by records control designee assigned by the Chief of Police.
Serve as liaisons with representatives of State, federal, and other local law enforcement and related agencies to maintain appropriate and effective relationships and communication.
Provide reports to appropriate government agencies as required.
Encourage residents to participate with law enforcement in order to keep their own community safe.
Assist in planning for other public safety services, such as fire, court, disaster planning, etc.
Other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications/Skills:
Graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Criminal Investigator Training Program or DOI- Investigator Training Program preferred; or successful completion within first year of employment.
Graduate of an accredited law enforcement academy required.
Demonstrated experience in working multi-jurisdictional and complex criminal investigations in a federal or tribal jurisdiction.
Experience testifying in a court of law.
Documentation of a criminal investigation in investigative reports;
Knowledge of Federal, state, and tribal criminal jurisdiction and laws;
Knowledge of administrative, civil and criminal proceedings;
Experience coordinating federal, state, or tribal criminal investigations.
Must have a valid driver’s license and meet driver’s eligibility requirements.
Must not have felony or serious misdemeanor convictions or arrests on record.
No DUI convictions within the last 5 years.
No domestic violence convictions and/or history of domestic or family violence arrests and/or protection orders.
Must be of good moral and ethical character with the highest professionalism.
Must have basic knowledge of radio procedures and the ability to operate radio equipment.
Must acquire and retain law enforcement officer certification as a condition of employment.
Must acquire and retain first-aid and CPR certification as well as operational knowledge of first-aid equipment.
Must be proficient in a variety of computer software programs and have basic operating knowledge of a variety of computers and office equipment.
Must have the ability to effectively handle situations and people with tact, courtesy, respect and objectivity and to recurrently employ moral and ethical judgements.
Must possess knowledge of law enforcement methods, procedures and techniques employed in law enforcement and pertaining to criminal investigation.
Must have working knowledge of most recent applicable local, Tribal, State and Federal laws and ordinances; fish & game laws; jurisdictional laws; and rules and relationships of the tribe with local, State and Federal jurisdictions.
Must possess basic knowledge of the Constitutional protection afforded to individuals to include rules concerning search and seizure and questioning and arrests.
Must have thorough operating knowledge of the difference between criminal felonies and misdemeanors.
Must be skilled in interpreting and correctly applying laws, regulations, precedents, and other instructional or informational material to ensure proper apprehensions are made.
Must have basic knowledge of, and certification in, the use of all firearms operated while performing law enforcement duties.
Must maintain strict confidentiality, at all times, due to major access to sensitive information.
Must possess the ability to pass a federal background check and pre-employment drug screen and will be subject to random drug screening throughout tenure.
Education Required:
High School Diploma or G.E.D. is required.
College Degree is preferred
Training Requirements:
Graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Criminal Investigator Training Program or DOI- Investigator Training Program required within first year of employment.
Graduate of an accredited law enforcement academy required.
Successful completion of the Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country Training Program and obtain a Special Law Enforcement Commission for federal authority as issued by the BIA-Office of Justice Services.
Must be willing to pursue a training and educational plan.
Must attend all department training and meetings as directed by the established Chain of Command.
Must attend and complete basic Police Academy training within the first year of employment.
Certificates, Licenses & Registrations
Law Enforcement Certification is required.
All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies, and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.
Physical Requirements:
Must be physically fit for duty.
Normal work to very heavy work (ability to lift over 50 lbs.)
The applicant is regularly required to (without aid) talk, hear, smell, and taste.
The applicant is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time and use of both hands (and feet) to operate keyboard, phone, various office equipment, firearms, and vehicles.
Manual dexterity with cooperatively free range of motion of all extremities including neck, finger, hand, wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder, waist, legs, hip, knee joints, ankle, and feet is required.
The applicant will frequently be subject to physical exertion involving standing, walking, and running which requires sustained and considerable strength and endurance.
Special Conditions:
Must be at least 21 years of age.
If claiming veteran status, DD Form 214 is required for verification.
The applicant must sign a service contract with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
The applicant must provide verification if claiming Native American Preference.
The applicant must be able to pass a medical examination and the Physical Efficiency Battery Test on an annual basis as part of a physical examination. Any physical condition, which would deem the applicant to be a hazard to him/herself or others will automatically disqualify him/her from selection.
Must complete BIA form SF 171-Personal Qualification Statement
Must complete OMB Form 1386-Background Survey Questionnaire
Must complete BIA Form 2519-Notice of Release of Information on Driving Record.
The applicant is subject to a full background check of employment history, criminal records, and FBI files.
If selected, the applicant must obtain a clear/favorable background check, prior to obtaining a start date.
The applicant is subject to a full psychological analysis by qualified physicians to determine mental and emotional stability.
In the event that an applicant is not certified in Law Enforcement, he/she is required to sign an employment agreement prior to basic training being provided.
Once cleared for start date, the applicant swill be restricted to administrative duties as assigned, until such time the applicant (if uncertified) is scheduled for basic police academy training or (if certified) firearms qualification is achieved and tribal policy allows such employee to carry a firearm.
Work Environment: The environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations including physical attack or attack with deadly weapons. Both indoor and outdoor assignments are involved with frequent prolonged exposure to inclement weather. The officer may be required to work extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends and holidays with frequently rotating shifts. Assignments are subject to change without advance notice. There is ever-present danger of injury and/or death from physical assault or accident in the line of duty.
Mental Requirements:
Must be mentally fit for duty
Reading, writing, calculating
Above average social interaction skills
Reasoning/Analysis
Above average cognitive abilities to address situations in high stress environments
Language Requirements:
Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must have the ability to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communication skills.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (3) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.
If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.
Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.
As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.