Utility Service Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Utilities Service Investigator

Annual salary $129,080 to $160,379 and $151,776 to $188,567. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer. For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to .

A Utilities Service Investigator works under general supervision to determine and secure evidence of any criminal or civil incident involving Department of Water and Power property and facilities; conducts internal investigations of matters that potentially involve violation of City or Department policy, or state laws which may involve criminal misconduct by Department employees; prepares investigative strategies and methods of inquiry for various incidents; conducts interviews related to incidents; examines and investigates allegations of fraud and conflicts of interest; prepares detailed, complete investigative written reports; provides comprehensive oral presentations of investigative findings; gathers intelligence affecting the Department; and serves as liaison to law enforcement agencies. Conducts site walkthroughs, facility security assessments and threat vulnerability assessments. Conducts background investigations.

Requirement(s)/Minimum Qualification(s)

Two years of full-time paid experience in a class at the level of Senior Commercial Field Representative conducting field investigations relative to industrial theft and vandalism or diversion of utility services; or

Two years of full-time paid experience with the City of Los Angeles in a class at the level of Principal Security Officer conducting investigations and providing written reports of personnel misconduct, accidents, thefts and disturbances, and supervising employees engaged in patrolling and safeguarding City-owned buildings and their occupants and equipment; or

Current civilian City of Los Angeles employee with two years full-time paid sworn law enforcement experience.

Applicants who lack six months or less of the required experience at the time of filing may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met. Applicants who fail to submit their signed VWE form within the time required will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.

Applicants filing using City of Los Angeles experience in a City class other than Senior Commercial Field Representative or Principal Security Officer must submit a "Verification of Work Experience" (VWE) form with the required signatures. The VWE form may be obtained on-line at . Applicants may attach their completed VWE form to their on-line application at the time of filing, or will have seven (7) calendar days from the on-line submission date to e-mail a copy of their completed VWE form to per.appdocs@lacity.org.

The subject line of your e-mail must include the exam title, your name and indicate it is a VWE. In the body of your e-mail, you must also include your first and last name, last four digits of your Social Security Number and contact phone number. Applicants who fail to submit their signed VWE form within the time required will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.

As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.

Where To Apply & Application Deadline

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at .

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the interview in the following order:

• Los Angeles City Promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this examination as a promotional candidate;
• Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements;
• Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.

Selection Process

Examination Weight: Essay: Advisory Interview: 100%

The examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Attention to Detail; Self Management; Initiative; Responsiveness and Follow-Up; Teamwork; Credibility; Oral Communication; Written Communication; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: the means, methods, and types of theft and damage typically occurring to the property and facilities of a public utility; applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to the apprehension and prosecution of persons committing crimes against department property and/or personnel; the principles and practices of confidentiality; proper investigative techniques and procedures for identifying and obtaining evidence; interviewing techniques and strategies; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to and clicking on Competencies under Utilities Service Investigator.

Prior to the interview, candidates will be required to prepare some written material related to the duties and responsibilities of a Utilities Service Investigator. This essay material will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for discussion with the candidate and for consideration in the overall evaluation of the candidate. The advisory essay will be administered on-line.

Candidates invited to participate in the examination will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the specific steps on how to complete the on-line advisory essay, and will be required to do so by the date provided in the instructions sent to them via e-mail. Candidates who fail to complete the on-line advisory essay as instructed may be disqualified. It is anticipated that the on-line advisory essay will be administered MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2026 to MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026.

Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which will be held in Los Angeles or on-line. It is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2026 to FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2026.

This examination is based on a validation study. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at .

Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.

Based on City policy, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during employment in this class.

The incumbents of some positions in this class may be required to pass an annual or periodic work fitness evaluation to determine their eligibility for continued employment in this class.

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