Consumer Protection Investigator Jobs in California

Use your financial and audit skills to protect vulnerable Californians!
Investigative auditors bridge the gap between law enforcement, forensic accounting, and complex financial data. This highly specialized role integrates accounting expertise, advanced data analytics, and investigative techniques. Investigative auditors are responsible for uncovering financial misconduct, reconstructing complex transactions, tracing assets, interviewing witnesses and victims, securing evidence via search warrants and subpoenas, and testifying in court.
The Consumer Protection Section prosecutes civil and criminal cases to enforce state laws that prohibit unfair or unlawful business practices, false advertising, financial fraud, grand theft, and related unlawful activity. In addition, investigative auditors with the section may be called on to oversee and audit registrants of statutory programs.
The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to do the following:

• Independently and as part of a litigation or investigative team conduct complex audits of business and trust accounts including the establishment of the sources of income and disposition of that income;
• Examine and analyze complex financial records and related digital and accounting records, public records, law enforcement reports, and other records to determine the source of application of funds;
• Reconstruct complex financial records, correlate newly discovered data with existing evidence, and author comprehensive audit reports containing findings and recommendations related to civil and criminal investigations;
• Work closely with sworn law enforcement to analyze search warrants and assist with on-site search warrants of businesses as needed;
• Independently draft and serve third-party documentary search warrants;
• Work closely with prosecutors to prepare for filing and trial;
• Testify at various court proceedings and at depositions both as a percipient and expert witness;
• Conduct interviews of suspects, witnesses, and third-party financial institution employees.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
These positions require residency in the State of California. These positions may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on DOJ's current telework policy. While DOJ supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Therefore, employees are expected to be able to report to their assigned headquarters with minimal notification if an urgent need arises.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• INVESTIGATIVE AUDITOR IV (SPECIALIST), DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
• INVESTIGATIVE AUDITOR II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
• INVESTIGATIVE AUDITOR III, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523615
Position #(s):
420-450-4224-XXX
Working Title:
Consumer Protection Section Investigative Auditor IV (Specialist)
Classification:
INVESTIGATIVE AUDITOR IV (SPECIALIST), DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE $6,955.00 - $9,142.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Shall Consider:
INVESTIGATIVE AUDITOR III, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
$6,646.00 - $8,740.00
INVESTIGATIVE AUDITOR II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
$5,528.00 - $7,269.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
• This position is located in the Public Rights Division, Consumer Protection Section.
• The Consumer Protection Section prosecutes civil and criminal cases to enforce state laws that prohibit unfair or unlawful business practices, false advertising, financial fraud, grand theft, and related unlawful activity. In addition, investigative auditors with the section may be called on to oversee and audit registrants of statutory programs.
• This position may be filled in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, or San Diego.
• Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
• For more information about the department please visit the Attorney General's website at www.oag.ca.gov .
• Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR .
Special Requirements
• A fingerprint check will be required for those hired from outside of the Department of Justice.
• Successful completion of a POST certified PC 832 Arrest, Search and Seizure course is required after appointment.
• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility in the "Explanations" section located at the bottom of page one on your state application. LEAP eligibility should not be disclosed on the application.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/2/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Justice
Public Rights Division, Executive Unit
Attn: Sara Clementi
1300 I Street, Suite 1030
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Justice
Public Rights Division, Executive Unit
Sara Clementi
1300 I Street, Suite 1030
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - A writing sample is required and must be included.
  Writing samples can be of any length and may be shortened from a longer writing sample. Academic or professional writing samples are preferred. Please redact your writing sample as appropriate to ensure confidentiality.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
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 successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to do the following:

• Independently and as part of a litigation or investigative team conduct complex audits of business and trust accounts including the establishment of the sources of income and disposition of that income;
• Examine and analyze complex financial records and related digital and accounting records, public records, law enforcement reports, and other records to determine the source of application of funds;
• Reconstruct complex financial records, correlate newly discovered data with existing evidence, and author comprehensive audit reports containing findings and recommendations related to civil and criminal investigations;
• Work closely with sworn law enforcement to analyze search warrants and assist with on-site search warrants of businesses as needed;
• Independently draft and serve third-party documentary search warrants;
• Work closely with prosecutors to prepare for filing and trial;
• Testify at various court proceedings and at depositions both as a percipient and expert witness;
• Conduct interviews of suspects, witnesses, and third-party financial institution employees.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Additional Application Filing Information:
Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date.
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.