BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION MANAGER 1759

DUTIES

ANNUAL SALARY

$138,330 to $202,285

NOTES:

• The current salary range is subject to change. You may confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
• Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
  
  

DUTIES

A Background Investigation Manager is a civilian employee who directs a large staff of Background Investigators engaged in the personal and professional background investigations of candidates for public safety-sensitive positions of various City departments; plans, organizes, and assigns work and resources; may act as staff advisor to management; applies sound supervisory principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work force; fulfills equal employment opportunity responsibilities; and performs other related duties.

REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

• One year of full-time paid experience (or 2,080 cumulative work hours) as a Background Investigator III, Special Investigator II, Police Special Investigator, or Fire Special Investigator with the City of Los Angeles; or
• Two years of full-time paid experience (or 4,160 cumulative work hours) as a Background Investigator II or Special Investigator I with the City of Los Angeles; or
• Currently employed as a full-time paid Background Investigator with the City of Los Angeles and three years of full-time paid sworn experience in a position at the level of lieutenant; or
• Three years of full-time paid experience at the level of a background investigator with an agency supervising personnel engaged in the personal and professional background investigations of candidates for public safety positions.
  
  

PROCESS NOTE

• As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required. Applicants will be disqualified and candidates will not be eligible for hire if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI or DWI in any state or jurisdiction. Notice of disqualification or ineligibility for hire may be issued by the City of Los Angeles at any time before a final job offer is extended.
• For Internal Use Only: Licensing verification will occur at the time of filing.
  
  

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 https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity.

NOTES:

• Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
• All application materials must be complete at the time of filing for you to be considered a candidate in this examination.
  
  

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be submitted on-line by THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026.

Civil Service Rule 4.2

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 weighted multiple-choice test in the following order: 1) 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; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that period’s selection process.

SELECTION PROCESS

Examination Weights: Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advisory

Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100%

The following test parts may take place in-person or on-line. Candidates will be notified at a later date with further instructions. For on-line tests, candidates will be able to take the test from a remote location using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department outlining the specific steps on how to take the test on-line. For in-person tests, the test will take place in Los Angeles and candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department regarding the time and location of the test.

The advisory essay will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for consideration in the overall evaluation of the candidate. It is anticipated that the advisory essay will be administered the week of THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026 through SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2026. In the advisory essay, candidates may be examined for: Judgment and Decision Making, Teamwork, Written Communication, Program Responsibility, Leadership, and Job Knowledge, which may include knowledge of: selection standards set forth by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) sufficient to assure that background investigations are conducted in compliance and will pass POST review/audit; current Federal and California State laws (i.e. EEO, Consumer Credit reporting) as they pertain to the background investigations process; proper investigative techniques and procedures as delineated in POST for conducting background investigations; knowledge of the Civil Service Rules and policies, and/or POST necessary to plan, organize, direct, control, and evaluate the background investigation process; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities. Those who do not complete the advisory essay will not be invited to the interview and will be considered to have failed the entire examination. To be considered complete, the advisory essay must include a substantive response for each question or problem included in the advisory essay for which a candidate is required to provide an answer.

The interview may evaluate the following competencies: Judgment and Decision Making, Teamwork, Oral Communication, Listening, Program Responsibility, Leadership, including supervisory principles, and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: selection standards set forth by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) sufficient to assure that background investigations are conducted in compliance and will pass POST review/audit; current Federal and California State laws (i.e. EEO, Consumer Credit reporting) as they pertain to the background investigations process; proper investigative techniques and procedures as delineated in POST for conducting background investigations; knowledge of the Civil Service Rules and policies, and/or POST necessary to plan, organize, direct, control, and evaluate the background investigation process; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in JUNE 2026.

Additional information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Background Investigation Manager.

NOTES:

• This examination is based on a validation study.
• Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
• 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 http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
• Seniority credit at the rate of 0.25 of a point for each year of continuous service will be added to the weighted test score of each candidate.
• A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.
• You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to file on a promotional basis.
• The promotional list will ordinarily be used ahead of the open competitive list. However, if open competitive candidates receive a higher score, without military credits, than the highest available promotional candidate, after adding seniority credit as indicated above, the Civil Service Commission, upon request of the appointing authority, may approve certification of such open competitive candidates ahead of the promotional candidates.
• If in accordance with the Rule of Three Whole Scores all applicants are eligible for appointment consideration, the examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of the candidates’ City employment application by Personnel Department staff to ensure minimum qualifications have been met.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period as provided by Section 1011 of the Los Angeles City Charter.
• In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.
  
  

Notice:

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage, as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN BOTH ON AN

INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL AND OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

There Are Many Things To Consider In a New Employer. Visit The Following Webpage To View Benefits The City Of Los Angeles Offers Its Employees:

http://per.lacity.org/bens/index.html

01

To Be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY Notified Of The Status Of My Application, I UNDERSTAND That I MUST Provide On My City Application, The Following Information:

• Working E-mail address
• Telephone Number
• Official social security number
  
  

I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.

I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.

I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.

I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.

• I have read these statements to their fullest and will provide a working e-mail address on my application in order to receive status of my application regarding this examination.
  
  

02

I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.

I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.

I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and/or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.

In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.

• I have read these statements to their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.
  
  

03

I Am Currently:

• A City of Los Angeles employee having received a regular appointment.
• An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, but have civil service status.
• An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, without receiving civil service status.
• A City of Los Angeles employee in a temporary training position.
• A City of Los Angeles employee on a part-time basis.
• On a regular reserve list for the City of Los Angeles.
• Not employed with the City of Los Angeles.
  
  

04

REQUIREMENT #1 - [Question 1 of 2]:

I have one year of full-time paid experience (or 2,080 cumulative work hours) as a Background Investigator III, Special Investigator II, Police Special Investigator, or Fire Special Investigator with the City of Los Angeles.

Important Notes:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

In-lieu appointments and experience are considered non-qualifying experience. Therefore, work performed while in such positions cannot be used to meet this requirement.

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

REQUIREMENT #1 - [Question 2 of 2]:

Important Notes:

The experience I am claiming in the previous question, was gained with the City of Los Angeles in one or more of the following classes:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

In-lieu appointments and experience are considered non-qualifying experience. Therefore, work performed while in such positions cannot be used to meet this requirement.

• Background Investigator III
• Special Investigator II
• Police Special Investigator
• Fire Special Investigator
• This statement does not apply to me
  
  

06

REQUIREMENT #2 - [Question 1 of 2]:

I have two years of full-time paid experience (or 4,160 cumulative work hours) as a Background Investigator II or Special Investigator I with the City of Los Angeles.

Important Notes:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

In-lieu appointments and experience are considered non-qualifying experience. Therefore, work performed while in such positions cannot be used to meet this requirement.

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

REQUIREMENT #2 - [Question 2 of 2]:

Important Notes:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

In-lieu appointments and experience are considered non-qualifying experience. Therefore, work performed while in such positions cannot be used to meet this requirement.

• Background Investigator II
• Special Investigator I
• This statement does not apply to me
  
  

08

REQUIREMENT #3 - [Question 1 of 3]:

I am currently employed as a full-time paid Background Investigator with the City of Los Angeles.

Important Notes:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

In-lieu appointments and experience are considered non-qualifying experience. Therefore, work performed while in such positions cannot be used to meet this requirement.

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

REQUIREMENT #3 - [Question 2 of 3]:

I have three years of full-time paid sworn experience in a position at the level of lieutenant.

Important Note:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

• Yes
• No
  
  

10

REQUIREMENT #3 - [Question 3 of 3]:

For the full-time paid sworn experience claimed in the previous question, please indicate the job class title which is at the level of lieutenant that you are using to qualify for this examination in the space provided. You may list more than one job class title if it is applicable to you. Please include the employer or organization in which you gained this sworn experience.

If you are not applying under Requirement #3 and this statement does not apply to you, enter "N/A."

Important Note:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

11

REQUIREMENT #4 - [Question 1 of 2]:

I have three years of full-time paid experience at the level of a background investigator with an agency supervising personnel engaged in the personal and professional background investigations of candidates for public safety positions.

Important Note:

You MUST provide detailed information, including examples of your experience supervising personnel engaged in the personal and professional background investigations of candidates for public safety positions in the work experience section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

• Yes
• No
  
  

12

REQUIREMENT #4 - [Question 2 of 2]:

For the full-time paid experience claimed in the previous question, please indicate the job class title which is at the level of a background investigator that you are using to qualify for this examination in the space provided. You may list more than one job class title if it is applicable to you. Please include the employer or organization in which you gained this experience.

If you are not applying under Requirement #4 and this statement does not apply to you, enter "N/A."

Important Note:

You MUST provide detailed information regarding this experience in the Work Experience Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.

13

CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE - [Question 1 of 2]:

I have a valid California driver's license.

• Yes
• No
  
  

14

CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE - [Question 2 of 2]:

Please list your valid California driver's license number and expiration date.

15

IMPORTANT NOTE: I have read the above questions carefully and answered each one accurately. I understand that if I do not provide correct information that my application will be disqualified and will not be considered further for this examination.

I understand that if I submit more than one application, my newest application will be considered and all others will be considered duplicates and will not be reviewed.

You should include in the work experience section of your application any jobs you wish to be considered as you will be unable to add or change your information after submission.

• Yes, I have read the above statements carefully and understand them to their fullest.
• Required Question