INVESTIGATOR

Employment Development Department; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Employment Development Department (EDD) seeks a permanent full-time Investigator in the Norwalk office to conduct comprehensive criminal investigations and deter fraud in unemployment programs. The role requires POST-certified training, a valid California driver’s license, and readiness for field assignments across California.

Hybrid telework is available per departmental policy. The Investigator will perform surveillance, interviews, and evidence collection, produce detailed reports, and may

Qualifications

• Experience in criminal investigations and law enforcement procedures.
• Proficient in interview techniques and evidence handling.
• Ability to write detailed investigative reports and maintain chain of custody.

Responsibilities

• Conduct surveillance and undercover operations as required.
• Perform skip tracing and locate witnesses, informants, and suspects.
• Interview, interrogate, and interview witnesses and suspects; develop and serve search warrants.

Skills

Criminal investigations

Interviewing

Evidence handling

Surveillance

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-516002

Position #(s): 280-328-8610-014

Working Title: Investigator

Classification: INVESTIGATOR

$6,339.00 - $8,558.00 A

$7,306.00 - $10,609.00 B

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Los Angeles County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Work Shift: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Work Week: Monday - Friday

Department Information

The Employment Development Department (EDD) is one of the largest State departments with employees at hundreds of service locations. For more than 70 years, the EDD has connected millions of job seekers and employers in an effort to build the economy of the Golden State. In order to continue our mission, we are constantly looking for the best and the brightest to join our ranks. Working at EDD presents many opportunities. If you strive to make a difference, we invite you to seek a career with EDD.

Department Website: http://www.edd.ca.gov

Job Description And Duties

THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT, IF YOU PREVIOUSLY APPLIED, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RE-APPLY.

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 Norwalk 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.

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

The incumbent is a Peace Officer as defined in Section 830.3 (q) of the California Penal Code while performing primary duties for the EDD and carries out the full range of peace officer duties.

Position exists in Norwalk, Los Angeles 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 visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

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.

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.

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.

Examination/Assessment

Investigator Bulletin