Retaliation Complaint Investigator

California Department of Industrial Relations; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Industrial Relations seeks a Deputy Labor Commissioner I to conduct retaliation complaint investigations, interview witnesses, take affidavits, collect evidence, and determine compliance with state labor laws and Industrial Welfare Commission orders. The role may inspect workplaces, assess penalties, and initiate actions while engaging employers and employees to secure compliance.

The position requires collaboration across programs, restorative strategies, and occasional

Qualifications

• Experience interviewing witnesses and collecting affidavits.
• Knowledge of state labor laws and Industrial Welfare Commission orders.
• Ability to work in a hybrid schedule with travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Interview witnesses, take affidavits, collect evidence and investigate claims.
• Assess civil penalties or initiate civil/criminal action when needed.
• Advise employers, employees, and their representatives to secure compliance.
• Inspect places of employment and records to determine compliance.
• Advance investigations through restorative strategies and collaboration with other programs.

Skills

Interview witnesses

Affidavit collection

Restorative justice approach

Job description

Job Description And Duties

Under general supervision of the Deputy Labor Commissioner Supervisor (Senior Deputy) in the State Labor Commissioner's Office (LCO) Retaliation Complaint Investigation (RCI) unit, the Deputy Labor Commissioner I (DLC I) interviews witnesses, takes affidavits, collects evidence, and investigates claims to determine the extent of compliance with, and to resolve disputes arising under, State labor laws and Industrial Welfare Commission orders. The DLC I assess and collects civil penalties or initiates civil or criminal action, and meets with employers, employees, and their representatives to advise them of, and to secure compliance with, state laws. The DLC I may inspect places of employment and employers' records to determine the extent of compliance with the provisions of laws under the jurisdiction of the LCO. Additionally, the incumbent is expected to advance their investigations through early engagement and resolution of retaliation claims through restorative strategies. Further, the incumbent will collaborate with other programs and stakeholders to advance industry‑specific early engagement and restorative strategies through a trauma informed lens. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR.

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To be considered for this Deputy Labor Commissioner I job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4782. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position (1) is being also advertised in the following locations:

• San Diego: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=532370
• Los Angeles: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=532393
• Santa Ana: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=532238
• San Francisco: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=532399

This position is located in: 2031 Howe Ave., Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95825.The incumbent will spend most of the time working both remotely and at their assigned District office, with occasional travel to other offices. The District Office is an air‑conditioned office building with natural and artificial lighting, and standard office equipment. Travel may be required.

Special Requirements

• Describe your experience in resolving workplace conflicts using a restorative justice based approach.

As part of the required application packet, candidates are to complete a Statement of Qualifications. Responses should be typewritten using 12-pt Arial font, 1.5-line spacing and no more than 1 page total. Applications received without a statement of qualifications will not be considered.

Restorative Justice is a values‑based approach to addressing harm that centers repair, accountability, inclusion and dignity rather than punishment alone. In workplace contexts, restorative justice is often adapted to coexist with formal enforcement systems.

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.