INVESTIGATOR, DA

County-of-Los-Angeles; California (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is seeking an Investigator to support deputy district attorneys by locating and interviewing witnesses, conducting supplemental pretrial investigations, and helping build strong cases.

The role offers opportunities to work on diverse investigations, collaborate with multiple agencies, and advance after a 12‑month probation to a senior investigator position.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of full‑time law enforcement experience within the last three (3) years as a peace officer or as an investigator with the Federal Government.
• An Associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a valid California POST Basic Certificate or higher.

Responsibilities

• Assists in criminal case investigations by gathering and reviewing relevant information to support prosecutions.
• Interviews victims, witnesses, suspects; photographs crime scenes; collect credible evidence.
• Conducts extensive interviews and interviews using appropriate techniques to obtain admissible information.
• Locates victims, witnesses, and suspects using various methods and databases to support prosecutions.
• Performs law enforcement activities including serving documents, surveillance, and making arrests in coordination with agencies.
• Prepares documents and records with software to document events in accordance with policy and law.
• Testifies in court as a witness or expert to present evidence.
• Interacts with multiple agencies and parties to gather evidence and respond to inquiries.
• Maintains general office duties to support investigative activities.
• Maintains knowledge through training and firearm qualifications and ongoing education.

Skills

Law enforcement experience

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Job description

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

EXAM NUMBER: 2889D

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: We welcome applications from everyone!

APPLICATION FILING PERIOD: The application filing period will begin on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) – Continuous. We will continue accepting applications until the needs of the recruitment have been met. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

Los Angeles County, with more than 10 million residents, is the nation’s most populous county and one of Southern California's largest employers. With more than 100,000 employees across 39 departments and 2,100 different job types, we provide vital and diverse public services, including law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities. We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

JOINING THE LADA

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (LADA) is the largest local prosecutorial office in the United States. Our jurisdiction spans 4,084 miles, stretching from the Antelope Valley to Long Beach and from Pomona to Malibu. LADA is dedicated to protecting and serving our community and safeguarding the rights of crime victims and the accused alike through an unrelenting pursuit of justice. That pursuit of justice will ensure that not just the result, but the process itself reflects the highest standards of fairness, impartiality, and integrity.

The Bureau of Investigation is the county’s fourth largest law enforcement agency and employs nearly 300 sworn peace officers, known as District Attorney investigators. The investigators conduct some of the most unique, sensitive, and complex criminal investigations in law enforcement. Bureau personnel also assist other law enforcement agencies with vehicular and electronic surveillance, undercover operations, and photographic services.

POSITION INFORMATION

As a District Attorney investigator, you will work under the direction of a Sergeant, D.A. and will play a vital role in strengthening some of the County’s most challenging prosecutions. Your primary responsibility will be to support the District Attorney’s staff of over 800 deputy district attorneys by locating and interviewing witnesses, conducting supplemental pretrial investigations, and helping build strong, well-supported cases.

In this role, you may participate in a wide range of investigative assignments, including cases involving auto insurance, workers’ compensation, health care, real estate, and consumer fraud. You may also work directly with attorneys in specialized programs such as Justice System Integrity and Public Integrity, contributing to high-impact, mission‑critical work. Your day‑to‑day duties will involve collaboration with numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. You may be assigned to multidisciplinary teams such as the DEA Narcotics Task Force, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Task Force, LA IMPACT, FBI Fugitive Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations Task Force, Innocence Lost Task Force, Sex Crimes (SAFE) Task Force, and the US Secret Service High Tech Crimes Task Force, giving you opportunities to expand your expertise in diverse investigative environments. This position offers the opportunity to develop advanced investigative skills, work alongside experienced professionals, and make a meaningful impact on public safety.

After successfully completing a 12‑month probationary period, you will have the opportunity to promote to the position of senior investigator, opening the door to even greater responsibility and career growth.

SPECIAL SALARY INFORMATION

- $7,298.78 - $9,836.26 Basic POST

- $7,520.78 - $10,135.44 Intermediate POST

- $7,749.52 - $10,443.74 Advanced POST

• Assists in criminal case investigations by gathering and reviewing relevant information about the case (e.g., police reports, witness statements, depositions, lab reports, medical reports, searching JDIC, and other information databases, relevant case law, similar cases handled by District Attorney, financial transactions) in order to support the criminal prosecution.
• Assists in the follow‑up investigations of crimes by interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects; photographing crime scene(s); taking measurements; using various law enforcement‑related equipment in order to collect credible, relevant, and admissible findings to support criminal prosecutions.
• Conducts extensive interviews with victims, witnesses, suspects (interrogations), complainants, etc., by applying appropriate interviewing techniques in order to collect credible, relevant, and admissible information and evidence such as written and audio/video statements, etc.) concerning the case.
• Locates victims, witnesses, and suspects by using various investigative methods including searching JDIC and other information databases; interviewing associates, neighbors, employer, and other individuals; searching records of other public and non‑public agencies in order to support criminal prosecutions and appropriately enforce orders of the court.
• Performs law enforcement activities, including conducting investigations; serving court‑ordered documents, such as subpoenas, search, bench, and/or arrest warrants, summons, motions, affidavits, compelling orders, orders to show cause; providing witness protection; surveillance of persons and property; making arrests by operating as an agent of the District Attorney or working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies (e.g., federal, state, local, etc.) to support criminal prosecutions and appropriately enforce court orders.
• Prepares a variety of documents (e.g., investigative reports, memorandums, daily work logs) by operating a computer terminal and software programs (e.g., word processing, JDIC, and other information databases); using appropriate standard forms in order to properly document and record events in accordance with departmental policy and procedures, and the law.
• Assists the prosecuting attorney by gathering and reviewing relevant evidence (e.g., physical evidence, charts, diagrams/models and photographs of crime scene, lab and medical reports, financial spreadsheets); conducting interviews; and locating victims and witnesses (e.g., explaining procedures, transporting to the courthouse) to support criminal prosecutions.
• Testifies in court as a case witness and/or expert witness by answering attorneys' and judge's questions in order to present evidence related to the case.
• Interacts with representatives from a variety of public and private agencies (e.g., local, state, federal) and relevant parties to the case (e.g., victims, witnesses, crime lab, members of the medical field, experts, private companies, organizations, financial institutions, insurance companies) by contacting and communicating with relevant parties; gathering evidence and information; and responding to inquiries to carry out investigative activities.
• Performs general office duties by completing activities such as answering telephones (e.g., routing calls to appropriate parties, answering requests for information or assistance from the public), maintaining a variety of case‑related documents, and photocopying to support the investigative activities.
• Maintains and updates knowledge and skills related to the investigator discipline by attending training classes and law enforcement‑related conferences/associations (e.g., covering topics such as investigation methods, current case law, criminal activity trends, new investigative technology, first aid, state‑mandated continual professional development), maintaining firearm qualifications; and reading investigative‑related material to comply with current California Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements and departmental policies and procedures and to maintain proficiency in performing investigative duties.
• Drives throughout Los Angeles County to carry out essential investigative functions.

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

• Two (2) years of full‑time law enforcement experience within the last three (3) years as a peace officer as defined in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code of the State of California, or as an investigator with the Federal Government as defined by Federal Job Series 1811.
• An Associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a valid California POST Basic Certificate or higher.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License is required. Successful applicants must obtain and present a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant’s driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must NOT be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.

A CANDIDATE WHOSE DRIVING RECORD SHOWS THREE (3) OR MORE MOVING VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR WILL NOT BE APPOINTED.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

*To receive credit for your education, certification and/or license, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution. 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.

If you are unable to attach documents, you may email them to [e-mail] at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days of filing your application. Failure to provide the documentation will result in application rejection. Please include your Name, the Exam Number, and the Exam Title on the documents.

We do not accept password‑protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending them to the exam analyst. Please check your application to ensure that the documents are uploaded by logging on to County of Los Angeles Department of Human Resources website and reviewing your submitted application. All documents must be clear and legible. Although resumes may be uploaded as attachments to the online application, resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of completing the online application.

PHYSICAL CLASS: 4 - Arduous: This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.