Investigator

Job Description and Duties

T his position is being re-advertised. If you previously applied, your application is still being considered and you do not need to re-apply.

Anticipated Interview Dates: In-person interviews are anticipated to begin the week of August 24, 2026.

Telework Information: This position is eligible for hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

POST Training
Incumbents are required to meet the provisions of California Penal Code Section 832 et. seq., and successfully complete training courses as prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) within 12 months of employment. This position may be filled as Limited-Term, Full Time if the selected candidate needs to complete the POST training requirements. Upon succesful completion of either the Regular Basic Course or the Specialized Investigators' Basic Course, the incumbent will be appointed as Permanent, Full Time. If the selected candidate has already met the POST training requirements through a basic academy, then they will be appointed Permanent Full Time upon hire.

This job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

The CalPERS Investigation Unit within the Legal Office is currently seeking an Investigator as the Investigation Unit is responsible for performing internal and external investigations of allegations of wrongdoing, violations of CalPERS or State of California policy and/or criminal activity to promote consistent organizational behavior.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Conducts complex and sensitive disability retirement investigations which includes conducting surveillance and utilizing electronic equipment. 
• Conducts complex and sensitive internal investigations of employee misconduct. 
• Investigators are expected to work undercover and testify in criminal and administrative proceedings.
• Work hours will include working long and unusual hours and traveling throughout the State of California. 
• Investigators will locate and interview witnesses, review complex medical reports, obtain evidence, serve subpoenas/ other legal documents, and prepare written detailed reports. 
• Work as a liaison with state and local law enforcement in coordination of disability cases and fraud investigations.

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You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• This position is designated as office-centered and works primarily onsite at the Sacramento, CA - Headquarters at least three weekdays. 
• Long and unusual hours traveling throughout the State of California.

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.
• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Psychological Evaluation clearance prior to being hired.

• The position(s) require(s) a Reading and Writing Assessment be passed prior to being hired.

Statement of Qualifications
Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific statements will not be considered.

The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications," and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length.

1. Describe your knowledge and experience related to investigations. Please include the approximate number of investigations conducted, type of investigations and the number of investigative reports you have completed.

2. Describe your knowledge and experience specifically related to surveillance. Please specify what type of surveillance you have conducted and describe your role when conducting these types of investigations.

Minimum Qualifications
All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."

Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website .

Authorization to work in the U.S.:
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.

Peace Officer Selecton Standards:
Applicants must meet the peace officer selection standards developed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training per Penal Code section 13510(a) before a hire can be made.

Drug Test:
Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. Testing of current employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have a current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement.

Firearm Conviction Disqualification:
Anyone who is restricted for employment-related purposes from accessing, possessing, carrying, receiving, or having under his/her control a firearm or ammunition under all applicable State or Federal laws is ineligible for appointment to any position in these classifications.

Firearms Requirement:
Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined in the amended Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 are disqualified from appointment to peace officer classifications.

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) Basic Certificate or Completion of either the Regular Basic Course (RBC) or Specialized Basic Investigators' Course (SIBC).
• Recent experience in State Service as an Investigator, conducting pension and retirement fraud; surveillance experience, experience conducting sensitive internal investigations, and experience with medical terminology as it relates to disability retirements.
• The incumbent should possess a high degree of independence and good judgment, be self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Completion of related education and training, including but not limited to: Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC), PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course, Court Room Testimony, Interview & Interrogation, Surveillance Training, Internal Investigation Training, Background Training, and other POST courses.

Benefits

CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.

Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:

• Alternate Work Schedules
• Flexible Work Hours
• Onsite childcare facility
• Onsite fitness center
• Onsite café and nearby restaurants
• Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays, subject to change
• Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

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

Additional Information

Live Scan
Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.

CalPERS Disclosure Requirements
If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.

Investigator Starting Salary Information:
The salary for the Investigator classification is made up of two (2) salary ranges, the starting salary range is based on the applicant’s relevant experience as explained below:

• Investigator, Range A: $ 6,339 - $8,558; This range shall apply to individuals who do not meet the criteria for Range B.

• Investigator, Range B: $7,306 - $10,609; This range shall apply to individuals who have satisfactorily completed three years of investigative experience at a level equivalent to the Investigator Range A or higher, beyond the experience required to meet the minimum qualifications of the class.

The State of California allows for a Hiring Above Minimum starting salary rate for the selected candidate as follows:

• Investigator, Range A: $6,974

• Investigator, Range B: $8,037

Applicants who are new to state employment are offered a starting salary at the minimum level of the salary range corresponding to their qualifications. The starting salary for current state employee’s will be based on the applicant’s current classification, salary, and qualifications for either Range A or Range B, but in no instance shall be lower than the minimum of the salary range. In addition, qualifying employees will receive a merit salary increase annually; merit salary increases are typically 5%.

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 2 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 3.5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 2 percent reduction in pay.

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 - In addition to completing your online job application, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions and questions for the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. We ask that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.