District Attorney Investigator I

The District Attorney's Office is responsible for attending court and conducting all local criminal prosecutions. The District Attorney is a State Constitutional Officer when prosecuting crimes defined under State Law. The Office additionally provides legal advice to all law enforcement agencies and provides training programs for their personnel; thus, increasing the probability of successful prosecutions. The mission of the Office is to promote justice, ensure that the rights of victims are upheld by treating them with dignity, respect and compassion, and aggressively and fairly prosecute those who violate the law.

The Office is authorized to both investigate and prosecute criminal and civil crimes. The Bureau of Investigation conducts independent investigations at the direction of the District Attorney and provides investigation and trial support for the prosecutorial functions of the Office. The Bureau of Investigations is offering an excellent career opportunity for a qualified, experienced individual interested in furthering their law enforcement career as a District Attorney Investigator I.

This is the working-level welfare fraud investigator and the trainee-level criminal investigator class in the District Attorney Investigator series. Positions in this class are assigned primarily to the investigation of suspected welfare fraud cases. As Investigators receive training and experience, they may be called upon to investigate categories of crime other than welfare fraud. The District Attorney Investigator I, has peace officer status (Section 830.1 of the California Penal Code) and the Bureau of Investigation in which it works is P.O.S.T. certified.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

• Prepares detailed reports of the actions taken and the findings of an investigation.
• Investigates suspected welfare fraud by tracing and locating absent parents and contacting a variety of parties to insure and verify information.
• Reviews and evaluates evidence in each case to ascertain if a violation of the law has occurred and recommends appropriate action to the Deputy District Attorney; signs complaints issued by the Deputy District Attorney and/or to the fraud unit of the Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services (MCDSES).
• Confers with defense attorneys, family support officers, eligibility workers and Probation Department officials regarding possible resolution of cases.
• Prepares promissory notes for restitution in cases where evidence is not sufficient for criminal prosecution.
• Prepares, serves and returns search warrants, subpoenas, promissory notes and other documents as needed to complete the case or mission assigned.
• Assists MCDSES Hearing Officers with administrative hearings when a criminal prosecution does not appear warranted.
• Testifies in trials and at administrative hearings in regard to welfare fraud and other cases.
• As assigned, may investigate categories of crime other than welfare fraud.
• Makes arrests on probable cause and pursuant to arrest warrants and as otherwise allowed by law (Section 836 of the California Penal Code).
• Renders emergency assistance to fellow peace officers and the public when appropriate.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website:
District Attorney Investigator I

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Investigative techniques and procedures.
• The basic principles of identification, preservation and presentation of evidence.
• The laws of arrest, search and seizure.
• Principles and techniques of effective investigative report writing.
• Financial record keeping.

Skill and Ability to:

• Learn, interpret and apply provisions of welfare rules and regulations, welfare fraud statutes and other applicable laws.
• Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence and draw logical conclusions from the information gathered.
• Obtain information and evidence by lawful means and evaluate that evidence for purposes of investigation and prosecution utilizing skills of observation, analytical thinking, record examination and interview.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, law enforcement and social service agencies and the general public.
• Prepare detailed written investigative reports, correspondence and memoranda.
• Operate a personal computer to prepare reports, search data bases, process digital photographs and to utilize network and/or web-based programs and applications.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, 1031 and Section 1005 of the Regulations of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, and Penal Code Section 832: 

• Attain a Basic POST Certificate prior to or at the completion of the 12-month probationary period.
• Successfully complete a POST-certified Investigation and Trial Preparation Course within 12 months from the date of appointment.
• Meet the California Government Codes 1029 and 1031 Peace Officer requirements, including passing a required psychological exam, medical exam as well as a background investigation.
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate at the high school level.
• Have uncorrected vision of 20/100 or better in each eye, correctable to 20/30 in each eye; normal color vision; normal hearing.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority. 
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency. 

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the A Unit Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

 

NOTES:

As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions. Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9. If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty, 

Priority Screening Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024, 11:59 PM (PST)

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and

submitted during normal business hours,

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

 

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

 

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

 

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Stephanie Ahumada, Human Resources Analyst, at (831) 755-5238, or ahumadas@co.monterey.ca.us.