Background Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The San Francisco Adult Probation Department values the individuality and diversity of justice involved adults, recognize the unique challenges they face, and invest in their success through services designed to help them permanently exit the criminal justice system. Our reentry and rehabilitative services complement our supervision strategies by providing a unique blend of opportunity and accountability. We extend a continuum of integrated services to address our client’s criminogenic needs and empower them to become productive members of the community. SFAPD dedicates endless energy toward enhancing public safety, seeking victim restoration and accountability, providing structured and evidence-based supervision, all on the behalf of the Superior Court of San Francisco. 

Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, the Internal Affairs & Background Investigator coordinates and conducts complex, highly confidential pre- and post-conditional offer employment background investigations, as well as administrative internal affairs investigations involving sworn and non-sworn personnel within the San Francisco Adult Probation Department (SFAPD). The incumbent ensures strict compliance with relevant California statutes (Government Code §1031, Penal Code §13510) and Commission Regulations (§§1953, 1956–1960), while upholding Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights (POBR/POBAR) protections (Gov. Code §§3300–3313) for sworn personnel and maintaining uncompromising standards of integrity, confidentiality, and due process.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate is a seasoned, highly objective investigative professional with demonstrated expertise in California public safety hiring standards and administrative labor inquiries. They combine rigorous investigative thoroughness for background vetting with executive presence, emotional intelligence, and diplomatic tact for complex internal affairs inquiries. Key core competencies include:

• Regulatory & Statutory Expertise: Hands-on experience applying POST Reg. §1953 background dimensions (integrity, impulse control, stress tolerance, financial responsibility), pre- to post-conditional offer protocols, CA Gov. Code §1031 peace officer minimum standards, and Penal Code §13510 frameworks.
• Investigative Rigor & Data Analysis: Proficiency in non-coercive structured interview methodologies, evidence preservation, and data audit trail analysis (e.g., body-worn camera footage, probation case management logs) to author clean, detailed, and legally defensible investigative reports.
• POBR & Labor Relations Acumen: Flawless execution of administrative interrogations and inquiries while upholding statutory protections under Gov. Code §3300 et seq. (written notifications, representation, recording rules, interrogation time limits) with absolute, unbiased neutrality.
• Emotional Intelligence & Discretion: Exceptional composure and de-escalation skills when interviewing stressed, reluctant, or adversarial subjects, alongside strict confidentiality in managing sensitive personnel records and findings.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

In accordance with Civil Service Commission rules, the representative duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following primary functions:

1. Background Investigations

• Develop and manage secure workflow processes for conducting pre- and post-conditional offer background investigations to assess employment suitability per POST Commission Regulations.
• Review candidate application packages and secure necessary legal releases to access criminal history, employment, credit, driving, and educational records.
• Conduct thorough field-based investigations, including criminal history checks, employer and personal reference interviews, home visits, and site verifications.
• Perform official background updates for current personnel as mandated by CA Government Code §1031 and Penal Code §13510.
• Analyze and document discrepancies or adverse findings, preparing comprehensive written suitability evaluations and employment recommendations.
• Construct, organize, retain, and safeguard confidential background files in accordance with Commission Regulations §§1953(e) and 1959(e).

2. Internal Affairs Investigations

• Receive, screen, log, and document all allegations of staff misconduct, policy violations, or administrative infractions involving sworn and non-sworn personnel.
• Lead impartial, confidential internal inquiries utilizing structured interviews, physical/digital evidence collection, surveillance, and case management audit trail reviews.
• Ensure all administrative investigations adhere strictly to due-process standards and POBR protections (Gov. Code §§3300–3313), maintaining proper chain of custody for all evidence.
• Research relevant statutory provisions, case law precedents, civil service rules, and department policies to guide investigative strategies.
• Author clear, detailed, and legally defensible formal internal affairs reports documenting factual findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations for corrective discipline or criminal prosecution if warranted.
• Maintain comprehensive, secure investigative records, evidence logs, narrative summaries, and case files.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, County Counsel/Legal, Executive Leadership, Civil Service Commission, and oversight bodies.
• Testify as an official witness in administrative hearings, civil litigation, and criminal proceedings regarding investigative findings and methodologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Field-based assignments requiring travel for home visits, employer interviews, and community site verifications.
• Frequent handling of highly confidential, legally sensitive, and complex personnel documents.
• Requirement to work flexible or non-traditional hours, including weekends or evenings, as investigations dictate.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Two (2) years of professional experience performing employment or administrative investigative work in a government or contract investigative agency.

Education Substitution: Additional qualifying experience as described above may substitute for the required Bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis (30 semester units / 45 quarter units is equivalent to one year).

License & Certification: Possession of a valid California Class 'C' Driver's License required at the time of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• California Government Code §1031 peace officer employment standards and Penal Code §13510 fitness standards.
• POST Commission Regulations §§1953 and 1956–1960, specifically regarding background dimensions and confidential file handling (§1953(e), §1959(e)).
• Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights (POBR / POBAR - CA Gov. Code §§3300–3313).
• Internal affairs investigative workflows, administrative labor rules, and evidence chain of custody best practices.

Ability to:

• Design, implement, and maintain secure, confidential investigative workflows.
• Accurately interpret and apply complex statutory, legal, and civil service regulatory frameworks.
• Conduct thorough, impartial investigations through objective evidence gathering, structured interviewing, and analytical report writing.
• Engage professionally and tactfully with departmental staff, oversight commissions, legal counsel, and public stakeholders.
• Maintain strict discretion, political acumen, and composure in sensitive, confidential, or crisis situations.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) approved Background Investigator course.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing digital evidence, body-worn camera footage, and audit logs in administrative inquiries.
• Proven track record presenting complex investigative findings before Civil Service Commissions, legal entities, or appellate bodies.

Selection Procedures
The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements and assessment of candidates’ job-related knowledge, skills and abilities. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to evaluate candidate qualifications. This typically includes an oral interview and/or a written or performance exercise.

If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the Department needs will be invited to continue in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements are not guaranteed advancement in the selection process. 

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

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

How to Apply:
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but not before September 11, 2026.

1. Your application MUST include a resume.  To upload, please attach using the "additional attachments" function. 
2. You may contact Janet MacEachern via email at Janet.maceachern@sfgov.org with questions regarding this opportunity. 
3. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Mailed, hand delivered or faxed documents/applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

For best practices on the application process, please visit Apply for Jobs in the City and County of San Francisco Best Practices Guide. Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and updated. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov 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.

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.