Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Secretary of State’s Office of Investigative Services is seeking to fill multiple permanent full-time Investigator positions. The department will consider a Training and Development Assignment. If you have already applied for this recruitment you do not need to do so again.

The Office of Investigative Services works collaboratively with the Secretary of State’s Legal Affairs Office and the Office of Voting Systems Technology Assessment (OVSTA)/Help America Vote Act (HAVA) on legal issues involving elections, businesses, and political campaigning. The incumbent plans, organizes, directs, and independently conducts criminal investigations. The Investigator is responsible for the review and investigation of complaints submitted to the Secretary of State's office regarding alleged elections law violations that may occur primarily throughout the State of California. The Investigator will also be responsible for collaborating with other state and law enforcement entities for the purposes of investigating alleged elections law violations that occur throughout the United States of America. The duties are varied and complex. This is a Peace Officer classification [PC 830.3(o)] subject to Peace Officer Standards and Training [POST] requirements. Pursuant to this subdivision, the Investigator shall not carry firearms while on duty.

Under the direction of the Supervising Special Investigator II, the incumbent will be required to work in a team environment and/or independently with minimal supervision to complete work assignments or investigative tasks. The incumbent is required to have the ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations to specific situations; develop, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple case investigations and other assignments or tasks; gather and analyze facts and evidence; reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations. The incumbent must have knowledge of investigation techniques and procedures, rules of evidence and court procedures and service of legal process. The incumbent must exercise the ability to follow written and oral instructions; participate effectively in investigations and interviews; prepare written documents and accurate detailed investigation reports clearly and concisely; and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships (e.g., with the public, supervisors, agency personnel, judges, district attorneys). The incumbent must exercise sound professional judgment and behavior; meet deadlines, take initiative, and demonstrate personal accountability in addition to maintaining regular, consistent, and predictable attendance in the performance of these specific functions.

Desirable Qualifications: The most desirable candidate will possess the following:

• Knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques and an aptitude for evaluating information (including computer data) and problem solving.
• Experience conducting interviews and/or interrogating suspects, witnesses and victims, and properly documenting investigations in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to interact effectively with the public, law enforcement, election officials, and agency personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to write clear and concise reports.
• Ability to maintain professional integrity, trustworthiness, and discretion concerning sensitive and high-profile matters.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities with various deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be willing to learn.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and case management systems is recommended.

Statement of Qualifications: Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications detailing how they meet the “Desirable Qualifications” listed above. The Statement of Qualifications must be no more than two (2) pages typed, using business professional font, font size, and formatting. Applications submitted without a Statement of Qualifications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a Statement of Qualifications.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Psychological Evaluation clearance prior to being hired.

Applicants must have a valid Basic POST certificate before appointment to the position in addition to:

• The position(s) requires a Drug Screening Test clearance prior to being hired.

Investigator Starting Salary Information: The salary for the Investigator classification is made up of two (2) salary ranges, the starting salary range is based on the applicant’s relevant experience as explained below:

• Investigator, Range A: $ 6,215 - $8,390; This range shall apply to individuals who do not meet the criteria for Range B.
• Investigator, Range B: $7,163 - $10,401; This range shall apply to individuals who have satisfactorily completed three years of investigative experience at a level equivalent to the Investigator Range A or higher, beyond the experience required to meet the minimum qualifications of the class.

The State of California allows for a Hiring Above Minimum starting salary rate for the selected candidate as follows:

• Investigator, Range A: $6,837

• Investigator, Range B: $7,879

Applicants who are new to state employment are offered a starting salary at the minimum level of the salary range corresponding to their qualifications. The starting salary for current state employee’s will be based on the applicant’s current classification, salary, and qualifications for either Range A or Range B, but in no instance shall be lower than the minimum of the salary range. In addition, qualifying employees will receive a merit salary increase annually; merit salary increases are typically 5%.

Examination Information: Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following link: CalCareers Exam Link .

There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the Department of Rehabilitation LEAP Certification website . 

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: 7/18/2025

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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

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 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:

Secretary of State

Attn: Jordan Mariner

1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Secretary of State

Jordan Mariner

1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475

Sacramento , CA 95814

Please drop off application packages in the 1st Floor Lobby Rotunda.

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 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 follow the directions to respond to the Statement of Qualifications as directed above.

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.

Benefits

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
Jordan Mariner
(916) 653-6974
jmariner@sos.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:
Sarah Bielski
(916) 653-6974
sbielski@sos.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.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time,

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