INVESTIGATOR

Job Description and Duties

The Investigative Services Unit within the Secretary of State’s Office is seeking to fill two (2) permanent full-time Investigator positions. The Investigative Services Unit works collaboratively with the Secretary of State’s Legal Affairs Office and the Office of Voting Systems Technology Assessment (OVSTA) / Help America Vote Act (HAVA) on legal issues involving elections, businesses, and political campaigning. The incumbent plans, organizes, directs, and independently conducts criminal investigations. The Investigator is responsible for the review and investigation of complaints submitted to the Secretary of State's office regarding alleged elections law violations that may occur primarily throughout the State of California. The Investigator will also be responsible for collaborating with other state and law enforcement entities for the purposes of investigating alleged elections law violations that occur throughout the United States of America. The duties are varied and complex. This is a Peace Officer classification [PC 830.3(o)] subject to Peace Officer Standards and Training [POST] requirements. Under the direction of the Supervising Special Investigator II, Chief Deputy and / or Deputy Chief, Operations, the incumbent will be required to work in a team environment and / or independently with minimal supervision to complete work assignments or investigative tasks. The incumbent is required to have the ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations to specific situations; develop, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple case investigations and other assignments or tasks; gather and analyze facts and evidence; reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations. The incumbent must have knowledge of investigation techniques and procedures, rules of evidence and court procedures and service of legal process. The incumbent must exercise the ability to follow written and oral instructions; participate effectively in investigations and interviews; prepare written documents and accurate detailed investigation reports clearly and concisely; and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships (e.g., with the public, supervisors, agency personnel, judges, district attorneys). The incumbent must exercise sound professional judgment and behavior; meet deadlines, take initiative, and demonstrate personal accountability in addition to maintaining regular, consistent, and predictable attendance in the performance of these specific functions. Desirable Qualifications : The most desirable candidate will possess the following :

• Knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques and an aptitude for evaluating information (including computer data) and problem solving.
• Experience conducting interviews and / or interrogating suspects, witnesses and victims, and properly documenting investigations in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with the public, law enforcement, election officials, and agency personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to write clear and concise reports.
• Ability to maintain professional integrity, trustworthiness, and discretion concerning sensitive and high-profile matters.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities with various deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be willing to learn.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and case management systems is recommended.
• Ability to travel (including out-of-state and overnight).

Statement of Qualifications : Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications detailing how they meet the “Desirable Qualifications” listed above. The Statement of Qualifications must be no more than two (2) pages typed, using business professional font, font size, and formatting. Applications submitted without a Statement of Qualifications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a Statement of Qualifications.

Applications will be considered according to the established cutoff periods of 04 / 08 / 2024, 05 / 06 / 2024, and candidates who are the most qualified will be invited to an interview. If a candidate for hire is identified during the first cut off period, candidates that file during the subsequent cut off period will not be considered.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Positions provide telework opportunities based upon the agency’s telework policy and business needs.

Special Requirements

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information ​ New Employee Benefits Orientation Page

Summary review of benefits available to you as a new State Civil Service employee. ​ State Civil Service Act

Review the benefits and protections provided to State Civil Service employees through the State Civil Service Act.

Salaries and Civil Service Pay Scales

Information regarding salary ranges for State Civil Service employees, as well as the Civil Service Pay Scales, the official salaries for all state jobs.

Represented Employee Bargaining Contracts

Review the specifics of represented state employee collective bargaining contracts.

Retirement

Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.

401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits ​Specific Benefits ​Additional Information

Cash In Lieu of Health and / or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and / or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and / or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and / or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

Planning Ahead Handbook | ​Dental Benefits

Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

Employee Assistance Program

Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information

Group Legal Services Insurance

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Group Long-Term Disability Insurance – For Excluded Employees Only

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.

Health Benefits

Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.

CalPERS Health and Wellness

Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.

Long-Term Care Program

Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.

Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security.

Reimbursement Accounts

Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.

Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking.

Vision Benefits

Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.