Special Investigator
Who are we?
Californians rely on us—the California State Auditor—to ensure the effective and efficient use and management of public funds and programs. We provide nonpartisan, accurate, and timely assessments of California government's financial and operational activities. Our work results in truthful, balanced, and unbiased information with recommendations for actions that lead to improving government operations.
Why should you join us?
- You want to work in a professional environment with a team dedicated to making a difference for Californians and future generations.
- You have diverse investigation experience and a background in criminal justice, fraud prevention, or similar education or training.
- You are detail oriented, focused, organized, dependable, and able to work with a high degree of independence while exercising sound judgment.
- You desire an annual salary range of $57,624 - $89,712.
What is the position?
As a Special Investigator, you will gather and evaluate information regarding complaints, participate in investigations to substantiate whether an improper governmental activity has occurred, take complaints from members of the public, and perform special projects as assigned. Under the authority granted by the California Whistleblower Protection Act, the California State Auditor conducts investigations into improper governmental activities by state agencies and employees in response to complaints received from state employees and members of the public. You will work independently and as part of a team to complete timely investigations.
What will you do?
- Review and analyze complaints to assess whether they are within the jurisdiction of the California Whistleblower Protection Act and whether an improper governmental activity may be proven through further investigation.
- Seek and obtain information from complainants, subjects, witnesses, and governmental entities.
- Work as a team member and independently to create investigation plans, locate and interview witnesses, locate and obtain evidence, and prepare detailed published investigative reports.
- Analyze and organize evidence, and make sound judgements about whether additional evidence is needed to support investigation findings.
- Prepare clear, concise, and accurate documents; prepare subpoenas; analyze and organize evidence; and make recommendations for the disposition of complaints.
- Prepare evidentiary materials for referral to other agencies; track and obtain agency responses to investigations.
Who are you?
- You have experience performing or assisting with investigations.
- You have demonstrated analytical abilities and experience applying complex legal criteria to factual situations and/or sifting and reviewing voluminous records and other documents to draw conclusions.
- You have strong interviewing skills, including the ability to elicit information from persons who may be upset, defensive, or uncooperative.
- You have experience evaluating conflicting witness statements and evidence to distinguish truth from falsehood
- You have demonstrated ability to work in a small team or independently, depending on the assignment.
- You have demonstrated ability to work on multiple assignments and complete work with competing deadlines.
- You have demonstrated ability to handle, review, and keep confidential sensitive information.
- You have high ethical standards with a flexible, positive, self-motived, conscientious attitude.
- You have the ability to receive written and verbal feedback from peers and management.
Working Conditions
- Work is performed in an office environment within a high-rise building.
- Work requires sitting for an extended period of time using a personal computer and the use of standard office equipment, such as phones, copiers or scanners.
- Work may require periodic non-standard work hours and work during weekends to meet workload needs and demands.
How do I join?
The California State Auditor is part of the merit-based California civil service selection system. To complete this process, you must do the following:
- Take the State exam for this position. If you are a current state employee with transfer eligibility, you can skip this step.
- Submit a completed State of California job application (STD. 678) and your resume.
- Provide answers to the following two questions. Create a document using a word processing application such as Microsoft Word, and limit your responses to one page per question using single spacing, 12 point Times New Roman font, and one inch margin on all sides. Your responses will help us determine who to interview for the position. We will not consider applications that do not include responses to the questions.
- Describe a time when you became aware of a potential problem and resolved it before it became an issue.
- Describe why you believe you would be a good fit for this position.
You can submit your complete application package via your CalCareer account or by mail:
California State Auditor
Human Resources Office
621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1200
Sacramento, California 95814
Current state employees with eligibility are encouraged to apply. Additional hires may be made from this bulletin if positions become available. Failure to submit the required documentation may result in disqualification from the hiring process.
The Fine Print:
Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment. State Auditor's Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining. 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 state 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.