Contract Investigator Jobs
Contract investigator jobs are open across insurance, government, legal, and corporate sectors, from entry-level to senior and supervisory roles, with specializations in claims investigation, background screening, and fraud detection. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Contract Investigator jobs
PAY TRANSPARENCY/COMPENSATION
Actual compensation will be determined by contract requirements.
- Conduct in-person, one-on-one subject interviews to obtain factual information about the individual's background and character, in accordance with agency guidelines and instructions.
- Obtain factual information from a variety of personal and record sources to produce a report of investigation that contains all pertinent facts of an individual's background and character in accordance with agency guidelines and instructions.
- Travel throughout the geographic area of responsibility to conduct investigations at various places of employment, residence, and education institutions as cases are assigned.
- Must be willing to travel in and around assigned location within 30-50 miles (or more) as needed
- Engage in dialogue on a regular basis with managers and representatives at contractor facilities, various U. S. Government organizations, and law enforcement agencies to develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships.
- Adapt to changing situations and environments as they occur and be able to interact with people from all walks of life and socioeconomic levels.
- Demonstrate strong verbal and written communications skills and exhibit professional demeanor in all situations.
- Work load based on availability of cases in geographic area.
- Some voluntary, temporary duty assignments in other areas of the country (typically 2-4 weeks at a time) are possible.
- Other duties as required.
- Work is typically based in the investigator's home office as well as in the investigator's personal vehicle traveling to various field locations to conduct interviews. Coverage area varies and could include some extended drives. Work hours vary depending on availability of leads and do not always fall within normal business hours, to include potential weekend hours or third-shift appointments.
QUALIFICATIONS
- U.S. Citizenship;
- H.S. Diploma or equivalent;
- Minimum of 1 year of specialized Federal Background investigative experience within the last 5 years;
- Must have some FIS (Federal Investigative Standards) Experience.
- Reliable personal vehicle, valid driver's license, and satisfactory driving record;
- Willing to travel on temporary duty assignments as needed (by car or plane);
- Successfully pass background checks and all required training;
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists;
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram, or schedule form;
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations;
- Ability to write reports and business correspondence;
- Ability to work in a MS Window based operating environment, including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet and E-mail;
- Current (within the last 2 years) Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or active Secret level security clearance based on an SSBI and able to obtain the required security clearance.
- Requires intermittent standing, writing/typing, walking, sitting, and driving throughout the workday, and may include for multiple hours.
- Background Investigator Training that meets the National Training Standards (NTS).
- Prior background investigations experience supporting government contracts.
- Associate or Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
- Current Top Secret clearance.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Vet
PAY TRANSPARENCY/COMPENSATION
Actual compensation will be determined by contract requirements.
- Conduct in-person, one-on-one subject interviews to obtain factual information about the individual's background and character, in accordance with agency guidelines and instructions.
- Obtain factual information from a variety of personal and record sources to produce a report of investigation that contains all pertinent facts of an individual's background and character in accordance with agency guidelines and instructions.
- Travel throughout the geographic area of responsibility to conduct investigations at various places of employment, residence, and education institutions as cases are assigned.
- Must be willing to travel in and around assigned location within 30-50 miles (or more) as needed
- Engage in dialogue on a regular basis with managers and representatives at contractor facilities, various U. S. Government organizations, and law enforcement agencies to develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships.
- Adapt to changing situations and environments as they occur and be able to interact with people from all walks of life and socioeconomic levels.
- Demonstrate strong verbal and written communications skills and exhibit professional demeanor in all situations.
- Work load based on availability of cases in geographic area.
- Some voluntary, temporary duty assignments in other areas of the country (typically 2-4 weeks at a time) are possible.
- Other duties as required.
- Work is typically based in the investigator's home office as well as in the investigator's personal vehicle traveling to various field locations to conduct interviews. Coverage area varies and could include some extended drives. Work hours vary depending on availability of leads and do not always fall within normal business hours, to include potential weekend hours or third-shift appointments.
QUALIFICATIONS
- U.S. Citizenship;
- H.S. Diploma or equivalent;
- Minimum of 1 year of specialized Federal Background investigative experience within the last 5 years;
- Must have some FIS (Federal Investigative Standards) Experience.
- Reliable personal vehicle, valid driver's license, and satisfactory driving record;
- Willing to travel on temporary duty assignments as needed (by car or plane);
- Successfully pass background checks and all required training;
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists;
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram, or schedule form;
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations;
- Ability to write reports and business correspondence;
- Ability to work in a MS Window based operating environment, including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet and E-mail;
- Current (within the last 2 years) Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or active Secret level security clearance based on an SSBI and able to obtain the required security clearance.
- Requires intermittent standing, writing/typing, walking, sitting, and driving throughout the workday, and may include for multiple hours.
- Background Investigator Training that meets the National Training Standards (NTS).
- Prior background investigations experience supporting government contracts.
- Associate or Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
- Current Top Secret clearance.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Vet
Contract Investigator Jobs by Experience Level
See All 6 Contract Investigator Jobs
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in contract investigator jobs.
- Prior experience conducting field investigations, surveillance, or background checks
- Strong written communication skills for producing accurate, defensible case reports
- Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle for field assignments
- Active or adjudicable federal security clearance for government-contracted roles
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or state-issued private investigator license
- Proficiency with case management software and digital evidence documentation tools
Tips for Your Contract Investigator Job Search
Tailor your resume to investigative work
Lead with your case closure rates, types of investigations handled, and any relevant certifications like CFE or PI licensing. Hiring managers for contract investigator roles scan for investigative methodology and documentation accuracy, not just job titles.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists contract investigator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your clearance level
Many contract investigator roles require active federal security clearances. Filter your search by clearance requirement upfront so you're not wasting application cycles on positions your current clearance doesn't cover.
Highlight report writing in your materials
Employers consistently flag written report quality as a differentiator. If you have samples of redacted investigation summaries or case reports, reference them in your cover letter and offer to provide them upon request.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Contract investigator interviews often include situational questions about handling uncooperative subjects, conflicting evidence, or tight deadlines. Prepare two or three real examples from past cases that demonstrate your judgment under pressure.
Negotiate your per-case rate before accepting
Many contract investigator positions pay on a per-case or per-day basis rather than a flat salary. Know your minimum acceptable rate before the offer conversation, and confirm whether mileage, surveillance equipment, and report preparation time are compensated separately.
Contract Investigator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a contract investigator?
Start by earning a degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field, though some employers accept equivalent field experience in lieu of a degree. Obtain any state-required private investigator licensing, pursue certifications like the CFE if you're targeting fraud roles, and build documented experience through entry-level claims, security, or law enforcement positions before moving into contract work.
Can you get hired as a contract investigator with little experience?
Yes, some firms hire candidates with limited direct investigation experience if they have transferable backgrounds in law enforcement, military service, insurance adjusting, or paralegal work. Entry points often include trainee or junior investigator roles where you shadow senior staff on field assignments before handling cases independently. Getting a state PI license first strengthens an application significantly.
What does the contract investigator interview process look like?
Most contract investigator hiring processes involve an initial phone screen focused on your investigative background and clearance status, followed by one or two structured interviews that include scenario-based questions about evidence handling, subject interactions, and report documentation. Some employers conduct a practical writing exercise or ask you to review a mock case file and summarize your findings before a final offer.
Where can I find and apply to contract investigator jobs?
You can find and apply to contract investigator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the available roles to find positions that match your experience, clearance level, and preferred work type, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 6 Contract Investigator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Contract Investigator Jobs