How to hire a surveillance investigator

How to hire a surveillance investigator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step surveillance investigator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a surveillance investigator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new surveillance investigator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a surveillance investigator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the surveillance investigator you need to hire. Certain surveillance investigator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a surveillance investigator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a surveillance investigator that fits the bill.

   This list presents surveillance investigator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Surveillance Investigator	Description	Hourly rate
   Surveillance Investigator	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$14-32
   Observer	An observer is responsible for supporting patients' conditions under the health personnel's supervision, ensuring that the medical operations comply with the institution's policies and procedures. Observers must have excellent communication and organization skills, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and performing administrative tasks as required by the management... Show more	$12-28
   Investigator	Criminal investigators play an essential role in criminal justice and law enforcement. Their job entails solving open cases that may take them weeks or even months to accomplish... Show more	$20-57

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Surveillance Video
   • Video Evidence
   • Insurance Claims
   • Conduct Surveillance
   • Criminal Justice
   • SIU
   • Claims Investigations
   • AML
   • Surveillance Equipment
   • Bank Secrecy Act
   • Anti-Money Laundering
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Casino Floor
   • Investigative Reports

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Save video clips from incidents and procedurals.
   • Investigate SIU claims, conduct covert surveillance and produce reports for possible insurance fraud.
   • Coordinate the design and development of new AML monitoring scenario rules, testing and implementation.
   • Direct the development of periodic gap assessments to address AML risks identify for DTCC products and services.
   • Observe operation of entire casino, including: slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker tables.
   • Monitor and record activities within casino utilizing surveillance CCTV system (fix / PTZ cameras, video recorders).

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your surveillance investigator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A surveillance investigator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, surveillance investigators' average salary in kentucky is 42% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level surveillance investigators 54% less than senior-level surveillance investigators.
   • Certifications. A surveillance investigator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a surveillance investigator's salary.

   Average surveillance investigator salary

   $45,807yearly

   $22.02 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level surveillance investigator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a surveillance investigator job description

   A good surveillance investigator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a surveillance investigator job description:

   Surveillance investigator job description example

   *Currently seeking those interested for an Entry Level Insurance Investigator position OR those with 1-3 years of related experience to work as a Field Surveillance Investigator for the Henderson Nevada area.*
   
   Looking for employees only - we do not sub-contract. Those interested in sub-contract work need not apply.
   Local Candidates within our Coverage Service Area of Henderson Nevada area wanted!
   
   *Entry Level Field Surveillance Investigator: *
   
   Varied hours with changing shifts that include weekend and holidays. Up to 8-9 hrs in your a car. Need to be a quick thinker and have the highest level of integrity and reliability. Capable of using a computer and video camera in your car while observing and documenting a persons activity. Performing in person recorded statements of claimants, witnesses and managers to document the accident or injury. Performing accident scene investigations to obtain photos, measurements and accident scene specifics. Overall, while helping to 'fight the good fight' of working insurance claims as an investigator and assisting adjusters and attorneys gather information to assist with facilitating claims or knowing how to proceed with a claim handling and or adjudication - based on what you find or don't find.
   
   *Qualified Applicants must meet the following criteria: *
   
   \* Strong competency in written and verbal communications.
   
   \* Excellent comprehension and writing abilities.
   
   \* Ability to work in the field environment and drive long distances.
   
   \* Excellent professional references.
   
   \* Capable of working in team environment while excelling at individual goals and meeting expectations.
   
   \* Detail Oriented, Punctual, Professional, Pro-active.
   
   \* Must be able to successfully complete investigative work, comply with protocol and meet strict deadlines.
   
   \* Strong interviewing and investigations techniques in order to conduct thorough and relevant investigations.
   
   \* Ability to work independently, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
   
   \* Ability to read, analyze and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, complex technical procedures, or government regulations.
   
   \* Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of mangers, clients, customers, and the general public.
   
   \* Adhere to a flexible work schedule to include varied hours, days and holidays.
   
   \* Ability to follow protocol and instructions.
   
   \* Suitable and reliable vehicle.
   
   \* Personable attitude.
   
   \* Valid Drivers license, current insurance and a favorable driving record.
   
   \* Bilingual in Spanish is strongly preferred.
   
   \* Laptop with Microsoft Office/Outlook and digital video camera.
   
   \* Athletes, former Military, and professionals who are team players capable of operating as an individual to support group goals and objectives!
   
   \* Are you up to the challenge? Long hours, mental and physical endurance, attention to detail, reliable.
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Pay: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour
   
   Benefits:
   * 401(k)
   * Dental insurance
   * Health insurance
   * Paid time off
   * Vision insurance
   Schedule:
   * 10 hour shift
   * 8 hour shift
   * Holidays
   * Overtime
   * Weekend availability
   
   Application Question(s):
   * Provide two reasons why you think you are a good fit for the position.
   
   Work Location: On the road

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find surveillance investigators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any surveillance investigators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level surveillance investigators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your surveillance investigator job on Zippia to find and recruit surveillance investigator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit surveillance investigators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new surveillance investigator

   Once you've decided on a perfect surveillance investigator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new surveillance investigator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a surveillance investigator?