CONSUMER AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE I/EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT

County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Los Angeles seeks a consumer protection advocate to assist the public with resources on consumer laws, housing, and real estate matters. You will gather information, refer cases, and help review allegations of unfair or deceptive practices.

The role involves interviewing stakeholders, researching applicable statutes, and educating the public on rights, responsibilities, and available services. Office is located in Los Angeles County.

Qualifications

• Three months of experience assisting the public in a consumer protection agency.
• Six months of experience assisting the public in the solution of problems related to law or legal services, employment, housing, credit, loans, insurance, real estate, landlord - tenant, court procedures, dispute settlement, mediation, or similar services.
• An Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from an accredited college or university.
• Completion of sophomore year with emphasis in Consumer Science, Home Economics, Administration of Justice, Political Science, Law, Public Administration, or related fields.
• Completion of one year of a paralegal program from an accredited college or university.
• You MUST meet one of the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Assists in providing resources and information to the public on consumer laws, labor laws, real estate matters, small claims court procedures, dispute resolution, housing and tenant protection, immigration, cannabis regulations, and other department programs.
• Gathers pertinent information to determine if the complaint is warranted and makes referrals if needed.
• Assists in the review of allegations of misrepresentation of consumer products and services, and deceptive business practices to counsel or determine the validity and accuracy of the allegations.
• Assists in the investigation and resolution of complaints involving disputes between consumers, tenants, landlords, businesses and others by researching and applying applicable laws/regulations.
• Assists in interviewing consumers, workers, landlords, tenants, business representatives, lenders, servicers, and disputants to ascertain factual information concerning their inquiry or complaint.
• Applies procedures, statutes, regulations, ordinances, and rules governing consumer services when responding to inquiries from the public and educating them on rights and responsibilities.

Education

Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree

Completion of sophomore year with emphasis in Consumer Science, Home Economics, Administration of Justice, Political Science, Law, Public Administration, or related fields

Completion of one year of a paralegal program

Job description

Essential Job Functions

• Assists in providing resources and information to consumers, workers, immigrants, tenants, property owners/landlords, litigants, disputants, business representatives and others on consumer laws, labor laws, real estate matters, small claims court procedures, dispute resolution, housing and tenant protection, immigration, cannabis regulations, and other department programs.
• Gathers pertinent information to determine if the complaint is warranted and makes referrals if needed.
• Assists in the review of allegations of misrepresentation of consumer products and services, unfair, unethical, or deceptive business practices, unfair, unethical, or deceptive business practices, unfair, unethical, or deceptive business practices, unfair, unethical, or deceptive business practices in order to counsel or determine the validity and accuracy of the allegations.
• Assists in the investigation and resolution of complaints involving disputes between consumers, tenants, landlords, businesses and others by researching and applying appropriate laws/rules/regulations in order to resolve or mediate a complaint.
• Assists in the interviewing of consumers, workers, landlords, tenants, business representatives, lenders, servicers, and disputants to ascertain factual information concerning their inquiry or complaint.
• Applies the procedures, statutes, regulations, ordinances, and rules governing consumer services when responding to inquiries from the public by researching laws/rules/regulations, attending seminars/trainings/conferences and utilizing resources (e.g., Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedures, Business and Professions Code, etc.) in order to communicate with the public effectively and to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities.
• Assists the public in completing services forms by answering and clarifying form questions to ensure the forms are completed accurately.
• Assists in reviewing and evaluating correspondence from consumers, businesses, litigants, lenders, servicers, landlords, tenants, workers, employers, and disputants to determine if their action has brought a complaint or dispute to resolution; contacts the parties to obtain additional information or verify resolution of a complaint or dispute.
• Participate in field investigations of consumer complaints by visiting locations, going undercover and conducting consumer after interviews, in order to ensure that businesses are complying with laws/rules/regulations, as needed.
• Assists in maintaining records of investigation, conciliation, and mediation activities by keeping up to date and accurate case notes, and consumer/business information; scanning documents in order to retain documentation.
• Assist in conducting financial navigation sessions, providing consumer protection and financial empowerment presentations on a variety of topics to consumer groups.
• Assist in conducting best practices and environmental scans of issues relevant to trends in financial empowerment initiatives for domestic violence survivors.
• Assist in developing program flyers, social media content, e-newsletters, and providing suggestions for social media calendar formatting.
• Research public records and other data sources as necessary to assist the public by attending trainings and working under the direction of higher level staff in order to effectively assist the public in understanding their rights and responsibilities and to evaluate the merit of complaints.
• Disseminates printed information to the public on all matters relating to the services of the department by providing educational material letters to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities.
• Attend community events and give presentations concerning consumer related service matters and department programs to the public by hosting and attending government and public agency speaking engagements in order to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities, and to create awareness of Consumer Affairs services, as needed.
• Disseminates printed information to the public on all matters relating to the services of the department by providing educational material letters to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities.
• Maintains records of contacts with the public and tabulates statistics as needed by administering surveys and keeping records of the number of individuals assisted in order to analyze consumer trends, and to determine where other services may be needed.
• Prepares various documents (e.g., investigation reports, Board reports, letters/emails, etc.) to communicate pertinent information to the target audience.
• Staffs a branch office as needed.

Requirements

• Three months of experience assisting the public in a consumer protection agency.
• Six months of experience assisting the public in the solution of problems related to law or legal services, employment, housing, credit, loans, insurance, real estate, landlord - tenant, court procedures, dispute settlement, mediation, or similar services.
• An Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from an accredited college or university*.
• Completion of sophomore year** from an accredited college or university* with an emphasis in Consumer Science, Home Economics, Administration of Justice, Political Science, Law, Public Administration, or related fields.
• Completion of one year of a paralegal program*** from an accredited college or university*.
• You MUST meet one of the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

Special Requirements Information

• In order to receive credit for an associate degree or higher, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows that you have completed the degree requirements with your application at the time of filing or send by email to [e-mail].
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to United States accredited institutions standards by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or The Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).(see Employment Information under Accreditation Information).
• Completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units. To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution or email it to [e-mail] within seven (7) days of the filing period. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf
• In order to receive credit for enrollment of a paralegal program , you must include a legible copy of your transcript with your application at the time of filing or send by email to [e-mail] within seven (7) calendar days from application submission. An approved paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association, or by the California Department of Education, or by an equivalent accrediting agency from another state in law-related courses.

NO OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS EXAMINATION. No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Required experience must be fully met and indicated on the application on the last day of filling.

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class II – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

For applicants who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, you may borrow laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots from some public libraries throughout Los Angeles County to complete job applications. For more information, please contact the specific libraries directly.

No sharing of User ID and password is allowed. All applicants must file their applications online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.

The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.

Revised September 2025

Department Contact

Department Contact Name: DCBA Exams

Department Contact Phone: [phone]

Department Contact E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone Numbers

CALIFORNIA RELAY SERVICES PHONE: [phone]

ADA COORDINATOR PHONE: [phone]

TELETYPE PHONE NUMBER: [phone]

ALTERNATE TELETYPE PHONE NUMBER: (800) 897- 0077