Investigator

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

The Investigation Division is looking for a highly qualified individual to fill one (1) permanent full-time Investigator position in the Sacramento Investigation Division office.

The Investigator is classified as a Peace Officer pursuant to Penal Code 830.3(q) and is subject to Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements.

Under the direction of the Supervising Criminal Investigator (SCI) I, SCI II, or the Chief of the Investigation Division, the Investigator conducts comprehensive criminal investigations and identifies activities that support Deputy Directors in implementing system enhancements designed to prevent, detect, and deter fraud.

The Employment Development Department's (EDD) Investigation Division within the Labor Data and Compliance Branch investigate allegations and suspected violations of the Unemployment Insurance Code, as well as other applicable laws and regulations related to fraud or misconduct, to protect the integrity of the EDD's programs and resources. If assigned, the Investigator, may also conduct investigations involving staff misconduct, embezzlement, extortion, theft, misuse of State property, forgery, internal and external threats, and security matters involving EDD employees or property.

To perform these investigations, the Investigator is required to: conduct surveillance and/or undercover operations; perform skip tracing; locate, interview, and interrogate informants, witnesses, and suspects; develop and serve search warrants on multiple premises, businesses, vehicles, etc.; conduct searches and seizures of computers; gather and preserve evidence; provide technical assistance to local, State, and federal law enforcement agencies; write reports of investigation detailing the crime committed, facts of the case, witnesses, and exhibits of proof; make arrests; and testify in court.

This position is located in Sacramento County.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Travel may be required throughout California and, when authorized by the Chief of the Investigation Division, out of State.

Special Requirements

• 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.

This position requires successful completion of a background investigation, as well as medical and psychological examinations.

As the EDD's Investigation Division is a POST-participating agency, candidates must complete a POST-certified Regular Basic or Specialized Investigators' Basic Course (SIBC). Appointees who have not previously completed either course must complete the SIBC within 12 months from date of appointment.

In addition, incumbents must successfully complete the Investigation Division's Investigator Field Training Program within one year of appointment and maintain compliance with continuing professional training (CPT) requirements by completing a minimum of 24 hours of POST-qualifying training during each two-year CPT cycle, based on their established permanent CPT anniversary date. 

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at .

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.

• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment

If selected for hire , you must obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the examination. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination unless your list eligibility has expired.

INVESTIGATOR

For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job, click here .

• 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 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.

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:

• Applicants with a current POST Regular Basic or Specialized Investigators' Basic Course certificate.
• Relevant coursework in Criminal Justice or formal law enforcement training focused on fraud investigations. Experience working in law enforcement or related fields is highly desirable.
• The ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and meet strict deadlines.

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required . The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is not a resume or cover letter. Resumes and/or Cover Letters  DO NOT take the place of the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ or an SOQ submitted without following instructions may not receive further consideration and may be excluded from the hiring process.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a written response to the applicant's qualifications for the position and ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Specifically, the SOQ should include detailed and concise information on how the candidate's education, experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities qualify the applicant for this position.

In your SOQ, describe your (1) education and training, (2) experience, (3) skills, (4) knowledge, and (5) abilities, as they relate to the class specifications and desirable qualifications. The SOQ should not exceed two pages in length, with one-inch margins, single spaced and a minimum font size of Arial 12. Applicants who fail to submit the SOQ as instructed and/or fail to submit all the required documents may be eliminated from the examination process. 

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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required. Please see “Statement of Qualifications Requirements” section for more information about the SOQ.