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TITLE: Investigators, Clerical
DEFINITION: Contact persons or businesses by telephone to verify employment records, health history, and moral and social behavior. Examine city directories and public records. Write reports on findings and recommendations. Exclude insurance, credit, and welfare investigators.
TASKS:
1. Contacts individuals and businesses to gather information to process employment or other applications or to evaluate business practices.
2. Locates and examines directories and business or public records to ascertain or verify information relevant to subject matter being investigated.
3. Interviews individuals to ascertain information relevant to subject being investigated.
4. Prepares reports of findings and recommendations, using typewriter or computer.
5. Analyzes information to arrive at decision and make recommendation relevant to subject being investigated.
6. Locates and examines merchandise or other physical objects to verify against inventory or other business records.
KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge elements are ranked by importance.
65 Clerical
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing systems, filing and records management systems, stenography and transcription, forms design principles, and other office procedures and terminology
60 English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
50 Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of electric circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming
45 Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems
40 Mathematics
Knowledge of numbers, their operations, and interrelationships including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
35 Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of policies and practices involved in personnel/human resource functions. This includes recruitment, selection, training, and promotion regulations and procedures; compensation and benefits packages; labor relations and negotiation strategies; and personnel information systems
30 Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data
30 Law, Government and Jurisprudence
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
30 Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media
25 Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance, mental processes, psychological research methods, and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders
20 Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, cultures, their history, migrations, ethnicity, and origins
15 Administration and Management
Knowledge of principles and processes involved in business and organizational planning, coordination, and execution. This includes strategic planning, resource allocation, manpower modeling, leadership techniques, and production methods
15 Geography
Knowledge of various methods for describing the location and distribution of land, sea, and air masses including their physical locations, relationships, and characteristics
15 Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including needs assessment techniques, quality service standards, alternative delivery systems, and customer satisfaction evaluation techniques
10 Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of weaponry, public safety, and security operations, rules, regulations, precautions, prevention, and the protection of people, data, and property
5 Production and Processing
Knowledge of inputs, outputs, raw materials, waste, quality control, costs, and techniques for maximizing the manufacture and distribution of goods
5 Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of information and techniques needed to rehabilitate physical and mental ailments and to provide career guidance including alternative treatments, rehabilitation equipment and its proper use, and methods to evaluate treatment effects
5 Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including their relative costs, advantages, and limitations
5 Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures
5 Chemistry
Knowledge of the composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods
5 Education and Training
Knowledge of instructional methods and training techniques including curriculum design principles, learning theory, group and individual teaching techniques, design of individual development plans, and test design principles
SKILLS:
Skills elements are ranked by importance.
85 Information Gathering
Knowing how to find information and identifying essential information
85 Speaking
Talking to others to effectively convey information
80 Active Listening
Listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate
70 Writing
Communicating effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience
55 Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
50 Problem Identification
Identifying the nature of problems
45 Product Inspection
Inspecting and evaluating the quality of products
45 Judgment and Decision Making
Weighing the relative costs and benefits of a potential action
40 Information Organization
Finding ways to structure or classify multiple pieces of information
35 Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react the way they do
35 Monitoring
Assessing how well one is doing when learning or doing something
35 Critical Thinking
Using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
30 Active Learning
Working with new material or information to grasp its implications
25 Solution Appraisal
Observing and evaluating the outcomes of a problem solution to identify lessons learned or redirect efforts
25 Synthesis/Reorganization
Reorganizing information to get a better approach to problems or tasks
25 Idea Evaluation
Evaluating the likely success of an idea in relation to the demands of the situation
25 Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems
25 Identification of Key Causes
Identifying the things that must be changed to achieve a goal
20 Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people
20 Idea Generation
Generating a number of different approaches to problems
20 Systems Evaluation
Looking at many indicators of system performance, taking into account their accuracy
15 Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job
15 Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions
15 Persuasion
Persuading others to approach things differently
10 Visioning
Developing an image of how a system should work under ideal conditions
10 Identifying Downstream Consequences
Determining the long-term outcomes of a change in operations
10 Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others
10 Implementation Planning
Developing approaches for implementing an idea
5 Systems Perception
Determining when important changes have occurred in a system or are likely to occur
5 Learning Strategies
Using multiple approaches when learning or teaching new things
5 Troubleshooting
Determining what is causing an operating error and deciding what to do about it
5 Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed
5 Technology Design
Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs
5 Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences
5 Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems .
ABILITIES:
Abilities elements are ranked by importance.
90 Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
80 Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
75 Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand
70 Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
65 Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so that it is understandable to a listener
60 Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
60 Near Vision
The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer)
55 Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions. It includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together.
50 Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers. It involves deciding if an answer makes sense.
40 Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to understand and organize a problem and then to select a mathematical method or formula to solve the problem
40 Time Sharing
The ability to efficiently shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources)
40 Selective Attention
The ability to concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task over a period of time
40 Wrist-Finger Speed
The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists
40 Number Facility
The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly
35 Speed of Closure
The ability to quickly make sense of information that seems to be without meaning or organization. It involves quickly combining and organizing different pieces of information into a meaningful pattern
35 Flexibility of Closure
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material
35 Information Ordering
The ability to correctly follow a given rule or set of rules in order to arrange things or actions in a certain order. The things or actions can include numbers, letters, words, pictures, procedures, sentences, and mathematical or logical operations.
30 Memorization
The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures
25 Perceptual Speed
The ability to quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object
25 Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a given topic. It concerns the number of ideas produced and not the quality, correctness, or creativity of the ideas.
25 Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person
25 Category Flexibility
The ability to produce many rules so that each rule tells how to group (or combine) a set of things in a different way.
20 Trunk Strength
The ability to use one's abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing
20 Auditory Attention
The ability to focus on a single source of auditory (hearing) information in the presence of other distracting sounds
15 Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem
10 Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects
10 Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged
10 Reaction Time
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to one signal (sound, light, picture, etc.) when it appears
5 Response Orientation
The ability to choose quickly and correctly between two or more movements in response to two or more signals (lights, sounds, pictures, etc.). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body parts
5 Extent Flexibility
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs
5 Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly make precise adjustments in moving the controls of a machine or vehicle to exact positions
5 Night Vision
The ability to see under low light conditions
5 Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance
WORK ACTIVITIES:
Work activities elements are ranked by importance.
95 Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
85 Communicating With Persons Outside Organization
Communicating with persons outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged face-to-face, in writing, or via telephone/electronic transfer.
80 Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, verifying, or processing information or data.
75 Documenting or Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in either written form or by electronic/magnetic recording.
70 Evaluating Information Against Standards
Evaluating information against a set of standards and verifying that it is correct.
65 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information received by making estimates or categorizations, recognizing differences or similarities, or sensing changes in circumstances or events.
65 Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying underlying principles, reasons, or facts by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
65 Communicating With Other Workers
Providing information to supervisors, fellow workers, and subordinates. This information can be exchanged face-to-face, in writing, or via telephone/electronic transfer.
55 Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Combining, evaluating, and reasoning with information and data to make decisions and solve problems. These processes involve making decisions about the relative importance of information and choosing the best solution.
55 Judging Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Making judgments about or assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
50 Interacting With Computers
Controlling computer functions by using programs, setting up functions, writing software, or otherwise communicating with computer systems.
50 Performing Administrative Activities
Approving requests, handling paperwork, and performing day-to-day administrative tasks.
45 Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
Providing consultation and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-related, or process related topics.
45 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting or diagnosing equipment, structures, or materials to identify the causes of errors or other problems or defects.
45 Implementing Ideas or Programs
Conducting or carrying out work procedures and activities in accord with one's own ideas or information provided through directions/instructions for purposes of installing, modifying, preparing, delivering, constructing, integrating, finishing, or completing programs, systems, structures, or products.
45 Establishing and Maintaining Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
40 Interpreting Meaning of Information to Others
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be understood or used to support responses or feedback to others.
40 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing
Developing plans to accomplish work, and prioritizing and organizing one's own work.
40 Estimating Needed Characteristics
Estimating the Characteristics of Materials, Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities, or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
40 Monitor Processes, Material, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, often to detect problems or to find out when things are finished.
35 Handling and Moving Objects
Using one's own hands and arms in handling, installing, forming, positioning, and moving materials, or in manipulating things, including the use of keyboards.
30 Developing Objectives and Strategies
Establishing long range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve these objectives.
25 Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing assistance or personal care to others.
25 Scheduling Work and Activities
Scheduling events, programs, activities, as well as the work of others.
25 Updating and Using Job-Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and knowing one's own jobs' and related jobs' functions.
20 Resolving Conflict or Negotiating with Others
Handling complaints, arbitrating disputes, and resolving grievances, or otherwise negotiating with others.
20 Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require moving one's whole body, such as in climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, where the activities often also require considerable use of the arms and legs, such as in the physical handling of materials.
20 Performing For or Working With Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public, including serving persons in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
20 Thinking Creatively
Originating, inventing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
15 Coordinating Work and Activities of Others
Coordinating members of a work group to accomplish tasks.
15 Monitoring and Controlling Resources
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
10 Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods, or otherwise changing their minds or actions.
5 Coaching and Developing Others
Identifying developmental needs of others and coaching or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
5 Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
WORK CONTEXT:
Work context elements are ranked by frequency (F), importance (I), responsibility (R), amount of contact (C), how serious (S), objective vs. subjective (O), automation (A), extent of frustration (E), responsible for health and safety (H), likelihood of injury (L), degree of injury (D) .
95 (F) Indoors
How frequently does this job require the worker to work: Indoors
80 (I) Deal With External Customers
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Deal with external customers (e.g., retail sales) or the public in general (e.g., police work)?
80 (F) Sitting
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Sitting?
70 (C) Job-Required Social Interaction
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) with others in order to perform it?
68 (I) Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
How important is it to be sure that all the details of this job are performed and everything is done completely?
68 (I) Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
52 (I) Persuade Someone to a Course of Action
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Persuade someone to a course of action (informally) or influence others to buy something (to sell)?
50 (O) Objective or Subjective Information
How objective or subjective is the information communicated in this job?
50 (E) Frustrating Circumstances
To what extent do frustrating circumstances ("road blocks" to work that are beyond the worker's control) hinder the accomplishment of this job?
45 (F) Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
45 (F) Frequency in Conflict Situations
How frequently do the job requirements place the worker in conflict situations?
45 (F) Standing
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Standing?
44 (I) Importance of Being Aware of New Events
How important is being constantly aware of either frequently changing events (e.g. security guard watching for shoplifters) or infrequent events (e.g. radar operator watching for tornadoes) to performing this job?
37 (S) Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
36 (I) Provide a Service to Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Provide a service to others (e.g., customers)?
30 (F) Making Repetitive Motions
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Making repetitive motions?
30 (F) Walking or Running
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Walking or running?
30 (F) Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
28 (I) Coordinate or Lead Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities (not supervision)?
25 (F) Deal With Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
20 (I) Take a Position Opposed to Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Take a position opposed to coworkers or others?
20 (I) Supervise, Coach, Train Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Supervise, coach, train, or develop other employees?
20 (I) Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
15 (F) Outdoors
How frequently does this job require the worker to work: Outdoors
14 (R) Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
10 (F) Special Uniform
How often does the worker wear: A special uniform, such as that of a commercial pilot, nurse, police officer, or military personnel?
10 (F) Kneeling, Crouching or Crawling
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Kneeling, stooping, crouching or crawling?
10 (F) Sounds or Noise Levels Are Distracting
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable?
8 (I) Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
7 (A) Degree of Automation
Indicate the level of automation of this job.
6 (H) Responsible for Health and Safety of Others
How responsible is the worker for others' health and safety on this job?
5 (F) Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Keeping or regaining balance?
5 (F) Bending or Twisting the Body
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Bending or twisting the body?
5 (F) Very Hot
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F) temperatures?
5 (F) Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
5 (F) Contaminants
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Contaminants (pollutants, gases, dust, odors, etc.)?
5 (F) Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Cramped work space that requires getting into awkward positions?
INTERESTS:
Interest elements are ranked by occupational interest.
94 Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
50 Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
39 Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
33 Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
22 Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
11 Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
WORK VALUES:
Work values elements are ranked by extent.
58 Working Conditions-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
57 Support-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
55 Relationships-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
49 Independence-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
47 Achievement-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
38 Recognition-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
69 Working Conditions
Workers on this job have good working conditions
63 Moral Values
Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong
59 Security
Workers on this job have steady employment
59 Activity
Workers on this job are busy all the time
59 Company Policies and Practices
Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company
59 Independence
Workers on this job do their work alone
59 Supervision, Human Relations
Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management
56 Responsibility
Workers on this job make decisions on their own
56 Autonomy
Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision
53 Supervision, Technical
Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well
53 Social Service
Workers on this job have work where they do things for other people
50 Co-workers
Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with
50 Compensation
Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers
50 Variety
Workers on this job have something different to do every day
50 Achievement
Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment
47 Advancement
Workers on this job have opportunities for advancement
44 Ability Utilization
Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities
41 Social Status
Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community
34 Recognition
Workers on this job receive recognition for the work they do
34 Creativity
Workers on this job try out their own ideas
31 Authority
Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others
CROSSWALKS:
| DOT91 (Dictionary of Occupational Titles): |
249387018 Pedigree Tracer 214362034 Tariff Inspector 241267030 Investigator 241367038 Investigator, Dealer Accounts |
| AIM97 (Apprenticeship Information Management): |
No crosswalks |
| CEN90 (1990 Census Occupations): |
376 Investigators and Adjusters, except Insurance |
| CIP90 (Classification of Instructional Programs): |
010501 Agricultural Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling 520401 Administrative Assistant/Secretarial Science, General 081001 Insurance Marketing Operations 520408 General Office/Clerical and Typing Services 520803 Banking and Financial Support Services 520801 Finance, General |
| GOE93 (Guide for Occupational Exploration): |
070502 Records Processing: Record Verification and Proofing 111001 Regulations Enforcement: Finance 110603 Finance: Risk and Profit Analysis |
| MOC97 (Military Occupational Codes): |
No crosswalks |
| OES98 (Occupational Employment Statistics): |
53505 Investigators, Clerical |
| OPM97 (Office of Personnel Management Occupations): |
No crosswalks |
| SOC98 (Standard Occupational Classification): |
No crosswalks |
