Special Investigator

California Department of Industrial Relations; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Industrial Relations, Cal/OSHA's Bureau of Investigations, is seeking talented investigators to conduct sensitive field investigations of industrial fatalities and serious injuries across California. The role requires handling evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing cases for potential charges, with travel to incidents around the state.

Incumbents work at the Fresno Office and must submit a writing sample as part of the application.

Qualifications

• Candidates must possess a valid California driver's license and be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• A writing sample must be submitted. The sample should be an investigative report and should be no longer than 10 pages.

Responsibilities

• Conduct sensitive, complex criminal field investigations of industrial incidents across the state.
• Process, preserve and collect evidence, obtain statements from witnesses, victims and suspects; prepare cases, identify suspects, and recommend charges.

Job description

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), better known as Cal/OSHA, resides in the DIR. Cal/OSHA protects and improves the health and safety of working people in California and the safety of passengers riding on elevators, amusement rides, and tramways by setting and enforcing standards; providing outreach, education, and assistance, and Issuing permits, licenses, certifications, registrations, and approvals.

The Bureau of Investigations is a unit within Cal/OSHA. The Bureau investigates violations of standards, orders, or special orders in which there has been a fatality or a serious injury or illness. The Bureau also directs investigations when DOSH's civil compliance staff makes a request for prosecution. For any case in which the Bureau is required to conduct an investigation and in which serious injury or death has occurred, the Bureau refers the results of the investigation to the appropriate prosecuting authority with jurisdiction over appropriate action, unless the evidence of a violation of the law is insufficient.

Come to a place that values integrity, professional development, and a team atmosphere. Cal/OSHA’s Bureau of Investigations is looking for talented, independent, and creative individuals to serve as investigators in one of several of our offices located around the state. Special investigators independently conduct sensitive, complex criminal field investigations of industrial homicides for referral to local prosecuting authorities. Special Investigators respond to fatal incident scenes at factories, construction sites and other places of employment throughout the State of California, including those with the most complex operations and greatest hazards. Incumbents also conduct investigations related to violations of occupational safety and health standards to determine violations of criminal laws. Individuals appointed to this classification perform a variety of duties, such as processing, preserving and collecting evidence, obtaining statements from witnesses, victims and suspects; and preparing cases, including identifying suspects, recommending charges, and collecting supporting evidence.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR

• 249.3

To be considered for this Special Investigator job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility.

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.

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

Working Conditions

This job is located at:

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

Bureau of Investigations - Fresno Office

2550 Mariposa Street, Room 4000 Fresno, CA 93721

The incumbent works a minimum of 40 hours a week, over 50% in the field, which may require driving long distances at various hours of the day and night, bending, stooping, walking and carrying investigative equipment and evidence. Incumbent priorities may quickly change due to the need to respond to fatal incidents. Incumbents, at incident scenes, are exposed to loud noises, dust, construction/manufacturing equipment, hazardous environments, bodily fluids, body parts, and deceased victims. While in the office, incumbents are in an air conditioned, high-rise building with elevator access, in a cubicle with artificial lighting. This position requires instate travel, including one to three overnight trips within California, based on assignments, and as determined according to the needs of the Department.

Special Requirements

A writing sample must be submitted. The sample should be an investigative report and should be no longer than 10 pages in length (if the original writing sample is longer than 10 pages, you may provide the first 10 pages only.)

Candidates must possess a valid California driver's license and be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

Final Filing Date: 9/11/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

Required Application Package Documents

• 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see Special requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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.