8126-Senior Investigator, Department of Police Accountability

Promotional Only Position for Senior Investigator

This is a Promotional Only position in accordance with Class-Based Test (CBT) Civil Service Rules. This recruitment is restricted to current permanent civil service employees of the City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District, or San Francisco City College who are currently working in class 8124 Investigator, Department of Police Accountability.

Application Opening : Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Application Deadline : Monday, November 3, 2025

REQUIRED : Training and Experience Evaluation Questionnaire due at the time of the application.

The Department of Police Accountability (DPA) is the City and County of San Francisco's independent and impartial law enforcement oversight agency. We investigate allegations of officer misconduct, conduct regular performance audits, and develop policy recommendations to ensure that policing reflects the values and concerns of the community served.

At a time when the public desires a path toward justice and equity, civilian oversight can bridge gaps between law enforcement and the community. The Department of Police Accountability is in a unique position to effect change by giving stakeholders the information they need to make data-driven decisions. DPA is the steward of a vast amount of data, including investigative outcomes and audit findings. Your work will give us the proper technical tools to publish and interpret our data in new ways that are both meaningful and understandable to stakeholders and the public.

The Department is a place where you can feel a sense of pride and purpose in the work you do. You can learn more about the Department on our website.

Under the direction of the Department of Police Accountability, supervises the work of assigned staff and performs difficult and complex professional-level investigative work in connection with complaints brought against sworn members of the Police Department by the public. This class is distinguished from Class 8124 Investigator, Department of Police Accountability, in that incumbents in Class 8126 oversee and / or directly perform the more difficult and sensitive investigations, and supervise Class 8124 Investigators.

This recruitment is a Promotive Only recruitment, open only to current Permanent Civil Service City Employees in Class 8124 Investigator, Department of Police Accountability, who have passed probation.

Note : Applicants do not need to have passed probation to apply, but they must have passed probation to be hired. Applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications for Class 8126 Senior Investigator, DPA :

• Education : A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience : Two (2) years of experience investigating allegations of official or employee misconduct
• Substitution : Possession of a law degree (J.D.) may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Four (4) years of experience performing investigative work in a professional field such as law, media / journalism, public health / welfare, human / civil rights, business (e.g. finance, insurance), education, social sciences, public policy / government or a related field may substitute for the required experience. Additional experience may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of 2 years).

Selection Procedures

Training and Experience Evaluation Questionnaire (100% Weight) : All candidates must complete the questionnaire as part of the employment application.

Eligible List / Score Report : A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates.

The eligible list / score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification

The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of List.

Verification

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications, as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.

Note : Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline.

Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.

Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

Where to Apply

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Exam Analyst Information : If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst Benjamin Richey at benjamin.richey@sfgov.org or (628) 652-0657.

Additional information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV / AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.