SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

California Lottery; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California – California Lottery is seeking a Special Investigator to conduct criminal investigations and enforcement activities related to the Lottery and its retailers. The role requires strong investigative skills, good communication, and the ability to work in a hybrid schedule with in-office days at Sacramento headquarters.

Applicants must have a current Special Investigator exam. Final Filing Date is 11/12/2026, with online CalCareers applications encouraged.

Qualifications

• Experience in criminal investigations or law enforcement context.
• Ability to read and interpret laws and regulations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conducts criminal investigations and enforcement activities related to crimes against the Lottery and Lottery retailers.
• Assists in ensuring the integrity, honesty, fairness and security in Lottery operations.
• Hybrid telework with required in-office days at Lottery Headquarters in Sacramento.

Skills

Investigation skills

Written communication

Field work

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

$5,528.00 - $9,037.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/12/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Under the general supervision of the Supervising Lottery Agent (Lieutenant, Theft Unit), incumbent conducts criminal investigations and enforcement activities without exercising peace officer powers. Incumbent is responsible for both general and specific investigations related to crimes against the Lottery and Lottery retailers to ensure the integrity, honesty, fairness and security in the operation and administration of the California State Lottery (Lottery). Incumbent must communicate effectively orally and in writing; read and interpret various laws, rules, and regulations. This is a hybrid telework position, requiring a minimum of (2) in-office days per week at Lottery Headquarters (Sacramento). The SLED / Theft Unit is operational (365) days a year, (24) hours a day, including weekends and holidays.

This position requires a current Special Investigator exam. If you need to take the exam or if your score has expired, click here to gain list eligibility.

Situated at the Lottery Headquarters- Sacramento and is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule. Employees must be able to report to their assigned headquarters office as assigned. Travel expense to and from the assigned headquarters are the responsibility of the employee. Eligibility for telework requires the employee to reside in California per California Government Code Section 14200 which states: “telecommuting means the partial or total substitution of computers or telecommunication technologies, or both, for the commute to work by employees residing in California.”

When choosing a state organization to work for, there are a lot of options. Why choose the California State Lottery?

People are drawn to the Lottery because we:

• Are an energetic, creative, and talented team
• Value diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Empower team members to bring their knowledge, expertise, and innovation
• Recognize individual and team contributions
• Support the importance of work-life balance
• Invest in the professional development of our team members
• Are dedicated to preserving our environment by lowering our carbon footprint

May consider a Training & Development assignment.

All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to clearly demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position on your State Application (STD Form 678). The application should also clearly demonstrate the candidate’s ability to meet the Desirable Qualifications identified in this job advertisement. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Announcement Posting under "Minimum Requirements".

It is highly recommended that you apply online using your CalCareers account. It is not necessary to return the contact letter if you applied electronically. Please ensure to monitor your email and/or CalCareers account for communication associated with your application submission.

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 for Personal Leave hours each month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

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

Working Conditions

Schedule: ( 5) eight-hour shifts / week, times are flexible.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required
Other: The incumbent must be willing to work irregular hours, work overtime, and the ability to adjust their shift / weekend based on operational needs.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

# of Positions:

1

Work Location

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Lottery is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise headquartered in Sacramento. It is one of the few state organizations that is a revenue generator, not accepting taxpayer dollars from the state’s general fund. Our mission is to provide supplemental funding for California’s public schools and colleges. We are passionate about creating a better tomorrow - one child at a time. The mix of talented people within our workplace reflects the rich diversity inherent within the State of California.We celebrate the contributions of each individual and strive to create a work environment that is inclusive, collaborative, and welcoming. We believe in California For All.

In fiscal year 2024-25, the California Lottery generated sales of more than $9.2 billion with approximately $1.9 billion earned for California public schools. Lottery products are sold at more than 23,000 retail locations throughout the state, from independent neighborhood shops to convenience stores, liquor stores to supermarkets, and more. Retail product offerings include an average of 52 fun and entertaining Scratchers® games and several draw games, including jackpot games such as Powerball®, Mega Millions®, and SuperLotto Plus® and daily games such as Fantasy 5 and Hot Spot®.

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• 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.
• The California State Lottery Act provides that no person may be hired as an employee of the Commission if that person has been convicted of a felony or any gambling related offense.
• This/These position(s) require(s) a California Driver’s License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application including providing your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• If you are basing your eligibility on education, ( http://www.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/pages/job-descriptions.aspx ), provide your transcripts and/or diploma. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial ; official transcripts will be required upon appointment . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

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:

• The ability to multitask and manage time efficiently.
• Proficient with various computer programs such as MS Word and Excel.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, and flexibility.
• Working knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques.
• Basic interview and interrogation experience.
• Report writing experience documenting criminal and/or administrative investigations.
• The ability to work under changing priorities.
• The ability to travel and conduct field work in the furtherance of investigations.
• Possess any Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) or other professional certifications involving investigative skills.

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: http://www.calottery.com

Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact:
LOY LUNA
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Position Location

700 North 10th Street

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.