Special Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Industrial Relations is looking for inquisitive and detailed-oriented investigators to join the Department's legal team. This Special Investigator position is located in the Office of the Director Legal Unit (OD Legal), in the Oakland office. Special investigators in this unit support the work of attorneys by investigating workers' compensations cases involving the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF), the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF), and the Death Without Dependents Fund (DWD). Investigators may also conduct investigations related to civil litigation, public works coverage issues, administrative enforcement proceedings related to employee/independent contractor classification issues (AB 5/AB 2257), and other projects that may arise in the Legal Unit.
Special Investigators conduct investigations and perform research using various online databases and resources, including Clear, Accurint, Lexis and Westlaw, among others, request and review public records, and conduct research using a variety of other resources, including by locating witnesses and conducting telephone interviews. This is not a field position; all investigative work is done from the office. Special Investigators are expected to review legal documents, conduct careful and thorough investigations in order to find relevant evidence and background information; locate and interview potential witnesses; gather documentary evidence; and prepare correspondence, subpoenas, discovery forms, and other simple legal pleadings. For each investigation, Special Investigators prepare a full written report. The ability to write lengthy, well-organized and well-written reports, summarizing and analyzing complex information, coming to conclusions and making recommendations, is required for this position.
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. The education requirements have specific field of study (ie. Major in criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, administration of justice, police science, business administration, etc.) to meet the Minimum Qualifications.
This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3
To be considered for this Special Investigator job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=5200
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
This position is located at: 1 515 Clay Street, Suite 701, Oakland, CA 94612.
This position is headquartered in the Office of the Director Legal Unit, located in an office environment in the 22-story State office building. This unit is currently located on the 7th floor. Employees in this position have their own offices, work at desks, and are required to work extensively on computers as necessary for the drafting of letters and other documents, and for research, email communication, file review, training and other purposes. Employees who telework part-time may be required to share their offices.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523326
Position #(s):
400-112-8612-001
Working Title:
Special Investigator
Classification:
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR $5,528.00 - $6,863.00 A
$6,310.00 - $8,217.00 B
$6,924.00 - $9,037.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Alameda County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers.
Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov/ Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.
Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.
If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the "Application Instructions" section below and ensure the following:
Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the "Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying" section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (cert, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the "Explanations" section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
• Remove and do not submit the "Equal Employment Opportunity" questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.
• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/
Special Requirements
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your application. The SOQ will serve as documentation of your ability to present written information clearly and concisely. The SOQ must be typed, double spaced, in Arial 12 pt. font, and be no more than two page in length. Please notate "Statement of Qualifications" and your name in the upper right corner. A resume will not be accepted as an alternative to the SOQ. Applications submitted without an SOQ will not be considered.

Describe how your education, training, and work experience have prepared you for this position.

Describe how you stay organized and manage your time effectively in order to prioritize cases and assignments.

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: 8/12/2026
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 Industrial Relations
Cert Mailing Address Sacramento
Attn: Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento
Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:00 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see Special requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.

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:

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure, manage multiple projects, and thrive under deadlines.
• Ability to write in a clear, direct, organized and professional manner.
• Ability to gather, analyze, evaluate, and prepare facts and evidence, then document these findings in investigative reports.
• Ability to be self-motivated, to motivate others, to set and achieve goals, to prioritize casework and to operate with a high degree of independence.
• Experience analyzing cases, files, facts, law, and documents, to research facts and/or applicable law or standards, to analyze the results of the research, and to provide written and oral summaries and analysis of the research to the attorney.
• Experience working in a legal office analyzing and preparing legal documents.
• Experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, and regulations.
• Experience interviewing witnesses.
• Experience doing internet research to obtain public records.
• Proficiency in Word and other Microsoft applications.

Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website .

• Our building is located in downtown Oakland, approximately two blocks from the 12th Street Oakland City Center BART station. Benefits include a public transit voucher to support employee use of BART or other public transit systems.
• The Oakland City Center area has many fun restaurants for lunch explorations; on Fridays, there is a farmers' market within walking distance in the Old Oakland/Swan's Market area.
• Although this is a full-time, 40 hours per week, position, there is some flexibility as to individual work schedules, (e.g., arriving earlier and leaving earlier), depending on the needs of the office.
• Partial telework schedules are available
• There is a day care center in the building (whether there are current openings is unknown; those interested would need to inquire).
• Secure bike parking is available in the building garage with an incentive program for those who bicycle to work.

Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Certification Unit
(800) 564-0771
cert@dir.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Diversity and Inclusion Office
(916) 559-6999
DIO@dir.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Information
Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.
Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.
If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.
Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once