What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Investigator position at California Department of Industrial Relations?
Job Description And Duties
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
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.
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.
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:
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
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
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.
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.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Salary : $5,528 - $9,037