Investigator

Department of Consumer Affairs; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Consumer Affairs in California is seeking an Investigator to join the Investigations and Enforcement Unit in the Chatsworth Field Office. This role focuses on conducting sensitive, complex investigations involving vocational and professional licensees across boards and bureaus within the department.

Successful candidates must meet POST standards, possess a valid driver’s license, and complete required background, drug, psychological, and medical clearances.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting administrative, criminal, and civil investigations.
• Understanding of public safety and regulatory enforcement.
• POST-related training or certification is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct sensitive, complex investigations against licensees within and across boards and bureaus.
• Work under the direction of the Supervising Investigator I in the IEU.
• Meet POST requirements and complete related training as prescribed.

Skills

Criminal investigations

Administrative investigations

Civil investigations

Education

4 year degree in criminal justice or related field

Job description

Job Description and Duties

This position is being readvertised to increase the candidate pool. If you have previously applied, you do not need to reapply.

In all job functions, employees are responsible for creating an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination. Employees are expected to provide all members of the public equitable services and treatment, collaborate with underserved communities and tribal governments, and work toward improving outcomes for all Californians.

CalCareers Exams: Once you find the job you want, we need to learn more about you. We will evaluate your education, experience, abilities, and knowledge through an assessment. The assessment process can take many forms, including an interview or exam, depending on the job.

Position is located in the Investigations and Enforcement Unit (IEU) Chatsworth Field Office.

This recruitment is until filled and applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. The cutoff date will be:

September 4, 2026
October 5, 2026
November 5, 2026
December 4, 2026
January 5, 2027
February 5, 2027

Under the direction of the Supervising Investigator I, the Investigation and Enforcement Unit (IEU), the Division of Investigation (DOI), the incumbent works at the training, entry, and journey level conducting the most sensitive, complex, and diverse administrative, criminal, and civil investigations against the vocational and professional licensees of the boards and bureaus within the Department of Consumer Affairs and those individuals required to be licensed by the department. Examples of complex investigations include, but are not limited to: unlicensed practice, sex cases, insurance fraud, and allegations of practicing while impaired (drug use, alcohol abuse, and mental disorders).

Applicants who are being considered for positions assigned Peace Officer status are required to meet the provisions of California Penal Code Section 832 et. seq., and complete training courses as prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). This Investigator position is assigned Peace Officer status.

Successful candidates who have already met the POST training requirements will be appointed on a permanent, full-time basis. Successful candidates who have not met the POST training requirements will be appointed on a limited-term, full-time basis. Upon successful completion of the required POST training, the limited-term incumbent will be appointed to the Investigator position on a permanent, full-time basis.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, they must reside in the State of California once they are hired and start working.

Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee's monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period as outlined on "Section 2113 - Personal Leave Program (PLP)" of the CalHR Manual. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Special Requirements

The position(s) require(s) the following prior to being hired:

• A valid driver's license (DL). Provide a photocopy in PDF format of the front and back of your DL, clearly showing your name as stated on the license, issuing state, DL number, class, and expiration.
• A Background Investigation be cleared
• A Drug Screening be passed
• Psychological Evaluation clearance
• Medical Clearance

If you are not transferring or reinstating you MUST take the following exam to be eligible for this position:

Title 11, section 703 (d) of the California Code of Regulations requires criminal record checks of all personnel who have access to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). Pursuant to this requirement, applicants for this position will be required to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice and be cleared before hiring. In accordance to DCA’s (CORI) procedures, clearance shall be maintained while employed in a CORI-designated position. Additionally, the position routinely works with sensitive and confidential issues and/or materials and is expected to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of documents and topics pertaining to individuals or to sensitive program matters at all times.

Special Requirement
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.

Applicable peace officer classification specifications will be updated to reflect this change upon approval of the State Personnel Board.

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) Certificate of Completion from Basic Academy or Specialized Basic Investigators' Certificate of Completion
• Law enforcement experience
• 4 year degree with any major but desirable in criminal justice, law enforcement, administration of justice, police science, criminology, or a comparable field of study

Benefits

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

Multiple positions may become available.

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.