Entry Level Theft Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $97,136.00 - $138,902.40 Annually
Location : Fairfield, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-413120-02
Department: Health & Social Services Dept
Division: H&SS-Welfare Admin Div
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Contact: Isioma Emordi, 707-784-6141
Salary Details: Welfare Fraud Investigator (Entry): $7,859.53 - $9,553.31 Monthly, Welfare Fraud Investigator (Journey): $9,246.09 - $11,238.67 Monthly, PLUS 3% COLA (wage increase) effective 3/15/2026
Come join a team to help eliminate welfare fraud and ensure program integrity!
The Special Investigations Bureau is responsible for conducting investigations of alleged fraud in various public assistance programs, detecting fraud in those programs, and conducting verification inquiries in an effort to prevent fraud before it occurs. The Bureau is also responsible for collecting criminal and administrative overpayments, as well as court-ordered restitution stemming from criminal convictions for welfare fraud.
Click here learn more about the Department of Health and Social Services, and the Special Investigations Bureau
THE POSITION
The Solano County Health and Social Services Department is seeking qualified candidates to join the Special Investigations Bureau as entry or journey level Welfare Fraud Investigator.
The Welfare Fraud Investigator (Entry) will conduct routine investigations to verify eligibility for Public Assistance, theft and forgery; may, in a training capacity, participate in and conduct more complex welfare fraud investigations; performs related duties as required. Employees may be promoted from the entry level to the journey level without further examination in flexibly-staffed classes.
The Welfare Fraud Investigator (Journey) will conduct routine and complex investigations, regarding public assistance eligibility, theft, and fraud, as well as other investigations such as threats against department employees and theft of and damage to public property; prepares cases substantiated for administrative and/or formal legal action; testifies in both judicial and non-judicial proceedings; and performs related duties as required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Welfare Fraud Investigator (Entry)
$7,859.53 - $9,553.31 Monthly
Education: Associate's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Police Science, or a closely related field; or a California Intermediate Post Certificate can substitute for education requirements. (must submit copy of degree or unofficial/official transcripts by application review deadline)
AND
Experience/Training: One year of full-time paid investigative experience in criminal investigations in a government agency.
AND
LICENSING, CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid and current P.O.S.T Specialized Investigator Basic Course (SIBC), OR valid and current California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Peace Officer Certificate, OR Possession of a Basic Course Waiver (BCW) is required. (must submit copy of POST or BCW by application review deadline)
• Applicants are required to possess a valid California Driver's License, Class C.

Note: All training must be in compliance with the POST three-year rule and all licenses, certificates and registrations must be kept current while employed in this class.
Welfare Fraud Investigator (Journey)
$9,246.09 - $11,238.67 Monthly
Education: Associate's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Police Science, or a closely related field; or a California Intermediate Post Certificate can substitute for education requirements. (must submit copy of unofficial/official transcript by application review deadline)
AND
Experience: Two years of full-time paid law enforcement experience working primarily in criminal investigations in a government agency.
AND
LICENSING, CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid and current P.O.S.T Specialized Investigator Basic Course (SIBC), OR valid and current California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Peace Officer Certificate, OR Possession of a Basic Course Waiver (BCW) is required. (must submit copy of POST or BCW by application review deadline)
• Applicants are required to possess a valid California Driver's License, Class C.

Note: All training must be in compliance with the POST three-year rule, and all licenses must be kept current while employed in this class.
Click here for the 'Welfare Fraud Investigator (Entry)' Job Description
Click here for the 'Welfare Fraud Investigator (Journey)' Job Description
BENEFITS: WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• 4/10 Work Schedule
• County-Assigned Vehicle
• Bilingual Pay Incentive
• $720 Annual Uniform Allowance
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
• CalPERS Retirement
• 10% Advanced POST Certificate Pay
• 12 Paid Holidays + Floating Holidays
• Deferred Compensation (457b)
• Up to $5,000 Tuition Reimbursement

The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill full-time and part-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur throughout the County.
SELECTION PROCESS
7/16/2026 - Deadline to submit application and required documents for 1st application review
8/6/2026 - Deadline to submit application and required documents for 2nd application review
Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant's ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.
All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted. These provisions are subject to change.
RETIREES - Solano County invites all to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted through the NeoGOV system. Paper copies of applications are not accepted. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (e.g.: degree/transcripts, certificates, licenses, DD-214, ADA Accommodation Request, etc.) must be submitted by the date indicated above. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing the application. You will be evaluated based on the information provided on the application. Please ensure any experience you believe qualifies you for the job is reflected in your application's employment history. When completing employment details and/or responding to supplemental questions, do not write "see resume," as resumes will not be reviewed and this will be considered an incomplete application.
Previously submitted application materials (e.g., copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.
Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-1113, business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA
Please note that all dates/times listed in the job announcement are Pacific Time.
DOCUMENT SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Education verification is required for this position. All applicants must submit a copy of their college diploma (verifying the degree, date earned and area of specialization) or official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed) by the application review deadline date. Candidates who fail to submit their diploma or transcripts (if required) by the application review deadline date will be disqualified from the recruitment.
All candidates must submit a copy of current P.O.S.T Specialized Investigator Basic Course (SIBC) OR valid and current California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Peace Officer Certificate OR Possession of a Basic Course Waiver (BCW) is required. (must submit copy of POST or BCW by the application review deadline)
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service. The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment. Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.
How to Submit Your Documents
In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to . Be sure to include the recruitment title (Welfare Fraud Investigator (Entry/Journey)) and the recruitment number (26-413120-02) in your email or fax.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Candidates for Welfare Fraud Investigator (Entry) will be required to pass an extensive background investigation, physical examination, and psychological evaluation in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy.
Peace Officer Requirements:
• Applicants must meet minimum peace officer standards concerning citizenship, age, character, education and physical/mental condition as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the California Government Code.
• Child Abuse Reporting: Selectees for employment must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting.
• Language Proficiency: Positions allocated to this class may require bilingual skills. Some positions allocated to this class will require the applicant to speak, read and write in a language other than English.
• Independent Travel: Independent travel may be required. Incumbents are required to travel
independently, for example, to perform investigative work such as interviewing witnesses,
conducting surveillance, etc.; to attend meetings with other County employees; to attend meetings with employees in other law enforcement agencies; etc.
• Hours of Work: Incumbents may be expected to work outside of normal office hours. Incumbents may be required to work weekends, holidays, irregular hours, on-call, and after normal business hours.
Note: Incumbents hold peace officer powers pursuant to Section 830.35 of the California Penal Code, however, this is not considered an active law enforcement classification for such personnel administrative matters as retirement, industrial or workers' compensation.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS
To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE APPLICATION REVIEW DEADLINE. Applicants who have a service-connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service-connected reasons.
Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score. Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score. Veteran's preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.
Americans with Disabilities Act
It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the "Selection Process"), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form.
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