Motor Vehicle Captain

Salary : $81,203.20 - $124,883.20 Annually
Location : Ankeny - 50021 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-01404
Agency: 645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact:

Job Description
The Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection (BIIP) is seeking applicants for the position of Motor Vehicle Captain. This sworn law enforcement role provides statewide leadership, supervision, and strategic oversight of Motor Vehicle Investigators and complex motor vehicle-related investigations. The Motor Vehicle Captain serves as a direct report to the Motor Vehicle Commander and has broad authority to deploy personnel and resources to large-scale investigations impacting public safety, industry integrity, and regulatory compliance. The Motor Vehicle Captain is expected to remain reachable via state-issued smartphone, email, or by state dispatch.

Location: Statewide residency permitted; position is based in Ankeny.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, flex schedule available

Pay range: $81,203.20 to $124,883.20

Key Responsibilities:
• Coordinate, direct, and supervise large-scale criminal and administrative investigations involving motor vehicle fraud, dealer and recycler fraud and auditing, odometer fraud, fee-for-new-registration fraud, driver's license fraud, motor carrier fraud, and Transportation Network Company auditing.
• Exercise statewide oversight of investigative personnel and ensure the fair, impartial enforcement of state and federal laws.
• Lead and manage BIIP's computer forensic laboratory, supervising digital forensic analysis and mobile device extraction operations.
• Maintain working knowledge of computer systems, applications, facial recognition/biometrics tools, SPEXS, and Iowa Mobile ID platforms.
• Analyze complaints and allegations involving identity theft, title/registration violations, odometer fraud, and driver's license fraud; determine the scope, direction, and evidentiary needs of major investigations.
• Oversee evidence collection, documentation, and chain-of-custody procedures to ensure compliance with investigative principles and legal standards.
• Assist in the planning and execution of search warrants and oversee statewide warrant operations.
• Testify in judicial criminal proceedings and administrative hearings related to investigations conducted by BIIP.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for public and industry complaints; evaluate each complaint and determine the appropriate course of action.
• Provide direction and oversight for administrative vehicle inspections including VIN verifications, reconstructed/specially-built vehicles, Iowa VIN assignments, bond titling approvals/denials, and bond claims.
• May serve as Acting Commander during the Commander's absence.

Training, Onboarding & Professional Development Duties:
• Develop, implement, and maintain a training and onboarding strategy for sworn investigative staff.
• Collaborate with Motor Vehicle Division Learning & Development leadership to establish ongoing training recommendations for director/commander review.
• Serve as the primary intake coordinator for internal and external training requests related to motor vehicle investigations, driver's license fraud, motor carrier enforcement, and dealer/recycler regulations.
• Approve or deny training delivery methods, frequency, content, and scheduling; ensure Bureau of Enforcement, Auditing, and Records (BEAR) and Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) leadership are informed of external engagements.
• Coordinate field training and on-the-job development for newly hired or promoted investigators.
• Identify soft and hard skill gaps among field staff; recommend solutions and training strategies to the Commander.
• Ensure BIIP policies and procedural guidance remain current, consistent, understandable, and accessible.

REQUIREMENTS:
• This position is open to all qualified applicants who meet the minimum requirements established by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and are currently certified as peace officers in the State of Iowa.
• A valid driver's license must be possessed and maintained.
• Upon hire, the selected candidate must maintain certification as a Salvage Vehicle Theft Examiner and maintain status as a certified Iowa peace officer.
• Must maintain status as a certified Iowa peace officer, including passing required

firearms qualification test.
• Must complete an annual health physical by a licensed physician or surgeon and be found to meet the physical requirements necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a law enforcement officer.
• Must obtain and maintain certification for access and use of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the !
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Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation and certification from an academy approved by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Director and Council and experience equal to four years of full-time peace officer work in the application, interpretation, investigation, and enforcement of motor vehicle laws and regulations;
OR
post high school education with an emphasis in law enforcement, criminal justice, or police science may be substituted on the basis of 30 semester hours equals one year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years; no substitution for the graduation and certification from an ILEA approved academy is permitted;
OR
employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to three years full-time work as a Motor Vehicle Sergeant and/or Investigator.

For additional information, please click on this
01

HONEST - Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability?
Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated and have certification from an academy approved by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Director and Council? IF YES - How many years of full-time peace officer work in the application, interpretation, investigation, and enforcement of motor vehicle laws and regulations?

• I have not graduated and do not have certification from an academy approved by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Director and Council
• Less than two years of the identified experience
• Two years to less than four years of the identified experience
• Four or more years of the identified experience

04

Have you graduated and hold certification from an ILEA approved academy? IF YES - How many years do you have of COMBINED full-time peace officer work in the application, interpretation, investigation, and enforcement of motor vehicle laws and regulations AND/OR post high school education in law enforcement, criminal justice, or police science? Thirty semester hours equals one year of full-time experience.)

• I have not graduated and do not hold certification from an ILEA-approved academy
• I have graduated and hold certification from an ILEA-approved academy and have less than two years of the combined education and experience
• I have graduated and hold certification from an ILEA-approved academy and have two years to less than four years of the combined education and experience
• I have graduated and hold certification from an ILEA-approved academy and have four or more years of the combined education and experience

05

Are you a current State of Iowa employee? IF YES - How many years of experience do you have as a Motor Vehicle Sergeant and/or Investigator for the State of Iowa?

• I am not a current State of Iowa employee
• I do not have experience as a Motor Vehicle Sergeant and/or Investigator for the State of Iowa
• Less than three years of experience as a Motor Vehicle Sergeant and/or Investigator for the State of Iowa
• Thee years or more of experience as a Motor Vehicle Sergeant and/or Investigator for the State of Iowa

06

How many years of experience do you have in motor vehicle investigations or identity theft, such as Motor Vehicle Title Fraud, Motor Vehicle Dealer/Recycl