Investigator

Job Description and Duties

In all job functions, employees are responsible for creating an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination. Employees are expected to provide all members of the public equitable services and treatment, collaborate with underserved communities and tribal governments, and work toward improving outcomes for all Californians. 

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Position located in the SOU Sacramento Field Office.

This recruitment is until filled and applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis.  The cutoff date will be:

May 14, 2026
June 5, 2026
July 6, 2026
August 5, 2026
September 4, 2026
October 5, 2026

Please refer to duty statement

Under the general direction of the Supervising Investigator I, Division of Investigation (DOI), Special Operations Unit (SOU) the incumbent independently conducts the most sensitive, complex, and diverse administrative, civil, and criminal investigations of misconduct by employees of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and pre-employment background investigations. 

Applicants who are being considered for positions assigned Peace Officer status are required to meet the provisions of California Penal Code Section 832 et. seq., and complete training courses as prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).  This Investigator position is assigned Peace Officer status.

Successful candidates who have already met the POST training requirements will be appointed on a permanent, full-time basis. Successful candidates who have not met the POST training requirements will be appointed on a limited-term, full-time basis.  Upon successful completion of the required POST training, the limited-term incumbent will be appointed to the Investigator position on a permanent, full-time basis. 

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, they must reside in the State of California once they are hired and start working.

Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee's monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period as outlined on "Section 2113 - Personal Leave Program (PLP)" of the CalHR Manual. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Special Requirements

If you are not transferring or reinstating you MUST take the following exam to be eligible for this position: 

The position(s) require(s) the following prior to being hired:

• A valid driver's license (DL). Provide a photocopy in PDF format of the front and back of your DL, clearly showing your name as stated on the license, issuing state, DL number, class, and expiration.
• A Background Investigation be cleared
• A Drug Screening be passed
• Psychological Evaluation clearance
• Medical Clearance

Title 11, section 703 (d) of the California Code of Regulations requires criminal record checks of all personnel who have access to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). Pursuant to this requirement, applicants for this position will be required to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice and be cleared before hiring. In accordance to DCA’s (CORI) procedures, clearance shall be maintained while employed in a CORI-designated position. Additionally, the position routinely works with sensitive and confidential issues and/or materials and is expected to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of documents and topics pertaining to individuals.

Special Requirement
Effective January 1, 2023, Senate Bill 960 amended Government Code section 1031(a)to read:

“Each class of public officers or employees declared by law to be peace officers shall meet all of the following minimum standards: (a) Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.”

This amendment removes the prior requirement that peace officers be U.S. citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship. Non-U.S. citizens may now qualify for peace officer positions if they are legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Applicable peace officer classification specifications will be updated to reflect this change upon approval of the State Personnel Board.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Possession of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certificate of Completion from Basic Academy or Specialized Basic Investigators' Certificate of Completion. 

• Law enforcement experience.

• 4 year degree with a major in criminal justice, law enforcement, administration of justice, police science, criminology, or a comparable field of study.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Additional Instructions

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, as specified in the classification specification ( please include a copy of your degree or unofficial transcripts with your application package.

Please be aware that if you are selected for the position, you will be required to submit official sealed transcripts.

Employment information on the STD 678 MUST be complete with dates, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method or applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

DO NOT include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

Applicants who wish to submit hard copy applications shall use the most current version of the State application (STD. 678).

Applicants who fail to submit the most current version of the STD. 678 may be disqualified.

Multiple positions may become available.

Electronic Submission:
Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.

U.S. Postal Service Mail:
Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.

Hand Delivery:
Application and any applicable required documents may be hand delivered by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement. Application packages postmarked, personally delivered, or received via interagency mail after 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date will not be accepted for any reason. Do not submit applications to the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Drop off location may be non-operational on weekends and holidays.

Please note that the CalCareer system will not allow you to make changes to your application information once it is submitted. If you have any updates to your online application after you have submitted it, please contact View email address on calcareers.ca.gov. For all other questions regarding your CalHR CalCareer account, you may contact the CalCareer Unit at Show phone number.

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.