Entry Level Digital Forensic Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $97,801.60 - $120,203.20 Annually
Location : Government Center - 891 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas, CA
Job Type: Full Time Regular - Benefited
Job Number: 2026-00069
Department: District Attorney
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 9/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Position Description
Interviews will take place on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026
DEFINITION:
Under general direction and supervision, conducts criminal and civil investigations; assists attorneys in preparing misdemeanor and felony cases for hearings and trials; assists other law enforcement agencies with criminal and civil investigations; and does related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
DA Investigator I
This is the entry-level and first working level in the District Attorney Investigator classification series. This position is for a certified peace officer with at least three years of full-time law enforcement experience, including at least one year of experience in criminal investigations.
DA Investigator II
This is the experienced level position in the District Attorney Investigator classification series. Incumbents conduct a full range of criminal investigations. This classification differs from the DA Investigator I level in that the II level performs more complex investigations on a relatively independent basis. District Attorney Investigator II's may provide direction and training to less experienced staff and assist in supervising the daily operations of the Investigations Division.
Example of Duties
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Conducts investigations within the jurisdiction of the District Attorney including, but not limited to, criminal offenses, officer involved shootings, welfare fraud, and child abductions.
• Interviews suspects, witnesses, and others involved in assigned cases.
• Collects relevant evidence of all types including documentary, physical, and digital, and arranges for forensic testing of evidence as directed.
• Performs field investigations.
• Reviews reports from law enforcement agencies and conducts follow up as directed.
• Makes recommendations regarding appropriate investigations for cases and charges.
• Provides trial attorneys with assistance in evidence review and evaluation, as well as preparation of cases for trial; develops necessary information required by the exigent disclosure of information at, or before, or after trial or judgment.
• Prepares evidence, audio/video clips, photographs, sketches, and diagrams for courtroom presentation.
• Appears in court as witness and investigating officer.
• Prepares reports regarding investigative work.
• Inspects crime scenes and gathers, analyzes, and preserves physical evidence.
• Prepares and executes warrants and related affidavits for search or arrest; uses and maintains surveillance devices, photographic equipment, and recording equipment.
• Initiates investigations as directed.
• Serves subpoenas, summons, complaints, and other criminal and civil processes.
• Complies with Federal and State grants or programs and partnerships as directed.
• Conducts threat assessments and maintains security for staff and facilities of the District Attorney's Office.

Minimum Qualifications
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
Investigative techniques and procedures; criminal law, rules of evidence and court procedures; crime scene processing; interviewing techniques; modern forensic and digital evidence; basic accounting procedures and their application to law enforcement and investigations; use and care of firearms.
Skill and Ability to:
Gather and analyze investigative data; provide a variety of support for legal staff and other law enforcement agencies; prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive investigative reports; analyze financial and statistical data; interpret and apply codes, laws, and court decisions regarding the proper gathering and preservation of evidence; prepare demonstrative, digital, and physical evidence for presentation in court; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Education, Training, and Experience:
DA Investigator I
Equivalent to graduation from high school and three years of full-time law enforcement experience with at least one year experience in criminal investigations.
DA Investigator II
Equivalent to graduation from high school and six years of full-time law enforcement experience with at least three years of experience in criminal investigations, and the recommendation of the District Attorney.
Special Requirements
Possession of an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles; possession of a valid Basic P.O.S.T. certificate. Must pass a P.O.S.T. compliant background investigation.
9 Deputy Sheriff's Association (DSA)
For available Health/Dental/Vision insurance please visit the County Please note that Extra-hire positions that are benefitted, are only offered our CORE medical plan and are not offered dental or vision.
NEW* Assist-To-Own program to help Couny employees purchase a home.
Program Highlights:

• Down Payment Assistance, up to 5.5% of the Total Mortgage Loan.
• Available with purchase of a primary residence.
• Variety of Mortgage Loan options (FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Loans).
• No first-time homebuyer requirement to qualify.
• Flexible guidelines: Minimum FICO 640; Maximum DTI 50%.
• Flexible income limits, up to moderate income levels; no income limits for FHA and VA.

For more information, vists
DSA Uniform Allowance:
$1075.04 per calendar year Payments will be made monthly on the second pay check.
Extra-Hire:
Extra-hire employees are not eligible for step advances, vacation, seniority rights, holiday pay or other certain employee benefits. They are entitled to 24 hours of sick leave per year and eligilbe for the county's CORE Medical plan but not eligible for dental or vision insurance.
Merit: After the completion of thirteen (13) completed pay periods of full time satisfactory service in the first step of the salary range, upon recommendation of the department head and unless appointed at a higher step, the probationary employee shall be advanced to the second step in the salary range for his/her classification, but shall not be deemed to be a permanent employee until satisfactory completion of twenty-six (26) complete pay periods. If an employee is appointed at a higher than entry level step than his/her first merit increase shall be after twenty-six (26) complete pay periods of satisfactory service. It shall be the responsibility of department heads, prior to the completion of the initial twenty-five (25) complete pay periods, to report service that is less than satisfactory..
Probation Period: New employees remain in a probationary status for one year. For the classification of Deputy Sheriff I, after the completion of (26) twenty-six probationary pay periods the employee shall be advanced to the Deputy Sheriff II classification.
DSA/SAFETY Longevity Incentives @ 2.5% for each of the following:

• 5.5 years
• 10 years
• 15 years
• 20 years

Vacation days:
0 - 3 complete years = 80 hours per year.
After 6 months you can take your first week.
3 - 10 complete years = 120 hours per year
10 years+ = 160 per year
Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year.
Life Insurance through ReliaStar: $50,000.00 County paid. After 65 years of age, pays out 65%, after 70 years of age ReliaStar pays out 32.5%.
Sick Leave: 12 days annual sick leave accrual with unlimited accumulation.
Sick leave is accrued at 3.69 hours for each full 80 hours of payroll period.
(DSA) 60 hours of sick leave can be used for immediate family, parent spouse, child or sibling.
Assignment Pay:
A 2.5% increase will be awarded to members assigned to special teams:

• Hostage Negotiation Team
• SWAT
• Search and Rescue (SAR)
• Bomb Team
• Dive Team

K-9 Pay:
Handlers will be paid thirty (30) minutes per day, seven (7) days per week, at one and one-half (1 ½ ) times the regular rate of pay whether on or off duty, for the time caring for an assigned K-9 including, but not limited to, handling, training, walking, boarding, feeding, grooming, veterinary examinations, or otherwise caring for the dog.
DSA Education Incentives:
AA Degree........................................................3.0%
Advanced POST................................................5.0%
AA Degree and Advanced POST Certificate.....8.0%
BA/BS Degree....................................................5.5%
BA/BS and Advanced POST Certificate............10.0%
Masters Degree.................................................10.0%
POST Supervisory Certificate............................2.5%
CLASSIFICATIONS MAXIMUM PERCENT
1. Deputies 10%
2. DA Investigator I 10%
3. DA Investigator II (Non-Supervisory) 10%
4. DA Investigator II (Supervisory) 12.5%
5. Sergeants 12.5%
Bi-Lingual pay:
2.5% assignment increase.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Pre-Tax Flexible Spending: Medical Reimbursement - Max contribution of $2,500 annually
• Pre-Tax Flexible Spending: Dependent Care Account - Max contribution of $5,000 annually

Section 125 Plan
Additional insurance is available through the Section 125 plan and may be purchased from an EBS representative during open enrollment or by appointment when they are on-site.
AFLAC

• Heart & Stroke Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Universal Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance

LEGALSHIELD
Retirement
CLASSIC MEMBERS CalPERS: 3% @ 50
PEPRA MEMBERS CalPERS: 2.7% @ 57
Extra-Hire's will be enrolled into Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) unless you are already a member of CalPERS.
Deferred Compensation
The County offers a 457(b) Government plan. Employees can contribute to this deferred compensation plan (Pre & Post tax options). The County currently utilizes VALIC,