SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Under direction of the Supervising Special Investigator I, the Special Investigator is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Health and Safety Code 25990-25994, as well as the California Code of Regulations. The incumbent will compile information and conduct investigations of suspected illegal activity related to improper confinement of covered animals, complaints of animal cruelty at facilities subject to the law, and the illegal sale of covered products originating from covered animals confined in a cruel manner and execute policies and procedures to improve environmental health, the humane confinement and care of food-producing animals, and the sustainability of California agriculture.

As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the “essential functions” of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!!

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Be a part of the Animal Care Program team and travel throughout California to ensure Animal Confinement laws and regulations are implemented and enforced.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The duties of this position require the employee to work in the field approximately 70% of the time. This 70% of time includes traveling to locations throughout California, which includes air travel and overnight travel when necessary. The employee reports to the Ontario Office, Headquarters Location (at minimum on a quarterly basis), only to pick up supplies, attend meetings and turn in required documents. Travel expenses from the employee’s home to their assigned Headquarters Location are considered a normal commute and are not reimbursable.

Most of the workday will be spent traveling to various locations throughout an assigned region. When working outdoors the employee may be exposed to extremes in temperatures, sun, wind, rain, high noise levels, rural, urban and highway driving hazards, movement of large farm animals, heavy farming equipment, and less than cooperative farm operators and workers. Indoor locations may include indoor barns housing animals, food processing facilities, distribution centers, and food retail locations.

When working in the office, the employee is equipped with laptop computer hardware and various software programs including email, telephone with voicemail and other standard office essentials. Field activity equipment consists of a cellular telephone, camera, tape recorder, and optical enhancement equipment.

The Special Investigator spends a significant amount of time traveling in a state vehicle to sites where violations or other illegal activities are suspected at locations within and outside of the State. Some time is spent conducting surveillance of sites from parked vehicles and nearby vantage points. The Special Investigator also spends a considerable amount of time meeting with District staff, industry leaders, law enforcement officials, attorneys, and District Attorneys. Those meetings are usually in offices at a variety of locations.

This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below may be disqualified from this recruitment. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ instructions and questions/prompts are below.

• Restate questions/prompts prior to response

• Include your name and job control number at the top of each page

• Must be single-spaced, no more than two (2) pages, and Arial size 11 font

1. What are some of the most important skills for a special investigator?
2. Share an experience you had in dealing with a difficult person and how you handled the situation.
3. Describe how you stay organized and manage your time effectively in order to prioritize cases and assignments.

Benefits

Benef it information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Additional Information:

Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute for a completed state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 may be disqualified.

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application (STD. 678) to be considered. Please see the Special Requirements section for the SOQ details.