​Investigator

California State Personnel Board Specification

SALARY INFO​RMATION​

Descrip​ti​on

This specification describes a journey and full journey level class that performs investigative work throughout State service.

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Incumbents perform limited to full peace officer duties and responsibilities in the accomplishment of their assignments in accordance with the pertinent California Penal Code Section 830 et. seq.

The Investigator is a deep class with alternate ranges. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting independent criminal, civil, and/or administrative investigations to detect or verify suspected violations or provisions of Federal, State, and/or local laws, rules, or regulations; obtaining and verifying evidence to support administrative action  and/or prosecution; determining type of case and developing investigation plan; conducting and completing investigations; maintaining accurate master investigation case files; developing field operation plans and safely executing them; performing undercover assignments and surveillance operations; locating and interviewing witnesses and persons suspected of violations; serving subpoenas, inspection warrants, search warrants, and/or other official legal papers; make arrests; providing technical assistance and training to law enforcement agencies and others; cooperating with and securing the assistance of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; preparing clear, concise, and accurate documents and reports detailing investigation activities and findings; may provide security and protection to departmental employees and property in cases of emergency and/or threat; and performing other related work.

Incumbents may also be expected to lead field investigations, operations, or projects; participate in multi-agency investigations or assignments; and/or develop and interpret programs or policies which specifically require investigatory or law enforcement expertise.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants may be admitted into the examination without meeting all of the requirements in this section, but the applicant must meet those requirements prior to appointment.

Must meet the peace officer selection standards developed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training per Penal Code section 13510(a) and in accordance with existing law; and

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; and

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 peace officer classifications; and

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; and

Either I​​​​

Education: Equivalent to completion of four years of college (120 semester units) from an accredited college or university; or

II​​

Experience: Four years of experience performing investigative work in a public or private agency or in the armed services.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Investigation techniques and procedures; rules of evidence and court procedures; laws of arrest, search, and seizure; legal rights of citizens; service of legal process, and interviewing techniques; duties of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; provisions of the laws, rules, or regulations enforced or administered; principles and techniques of personnel management and supervision; communication and active listening skills; behaviors indicative of potential hostility; techniques for effective interaction with diverse communities; how to approach problems with cultural awareness and sensitivity; cultural differences and similarities; implicit and explicit biases; community engagement and strategies and the benefits of effective community engagement; reporting obligations when biased behavior or misconduct is observed; characteristics protected under the Racial and Identity Profiling Act.

Ability to: Interpret and apply laws and regulations to specific situations; gather and analyze facts and evidence; reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations; communicate effectively; prepare written documents and accurate detailed investigation reports clearly and concisely; follow written and oral instructions; participate effectively in investigations and interviews; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies, and others; analyze situations accurately, think and act quickly in emergencies, and take an immediate and effective course of action; develop, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple case investigations, work plans, and other assignments or tasks; review and evaluate the work of others; and provide guidance and constructive feedback; be open-minded, flexible, and willing to learn and understand other cultures; social and cultural perceptiveness; seek clarifying questions to get a better understanding of the issue(s); maintain neutrality; identify effective ways to communicate and/or provide support; work cooperatively with various cultural backgrounds and others in the community; defuse, negotiate, and resolve conflicts; recognize and respect diversity through words and actions; effectively investigate allegations of misconduct pursuant to departmental policy; treat all people with respect and in an unbiased and unprejudiced manner.

Special Personal Characteristics 

Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, endurance and agility necessary to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation; hearing, vision, and color vision sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications

For positions in the Investigator classification possession of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certificate of Completion from Basic Academy or Specialized Basic Investigators' Certificate of Completion.

All employees must have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

Class H​istory​​