Chief Investigator, District Attorney

THE POSITION
Under general direction, plans, directs, assigns and supervises the activities and work of an investigative staff in the District Attorney's Office.

The Chief Investigator is an executive leadership position and is the commanding peace officer in a bureau of nearly 90 investigators. This position has overall responsibility for the planning, administration, and operation of the investigative division of the District Attorney’s Office.

THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
The Office of the District Attorney, County of Santa Clara, is the largest prosecuting agency in Northern California. The Office handles about 40,000 cases a year. The Office has a staff of more than 600 people, including attorneys, investigators, forensic analysts, paralegals, and clerical workers.

The Office of the District Attorney, through investigation and prosecution, contributes to the County having one of the lowest crime rates among California’s large counties and among the lowest nationally for metropolitan areas.
 
Attorneys and investigators investigate and prosecute both felony and misdemeanor crimes throughout the County with the help of criminalists, paralegals, clerical staff, and administrative staff. The Office is organized by types of crime, including homicide, gang prosecution, sexual assault, family violence, violent felonies, other felony types, consumer and environmental protection, economic crimes, narcotics crimes, juvenile justice cases, and misdemeanors. Smaller, specialized units within those teams focus on areas such as cold cases, conviction integrity, and public and law enforcement integrity.

MANAGEMENT STYLE/DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS
 
The County of Santa Clara seeks an experienced law enforcement leader with a deep understanding of law enforcement practices, strategies, and tactics. The successful candidate will have outstanding leadership ability, and a demonstrated track record of building positive working relationships with outside agencies, non-sworn personnel, and people at all levels of the organizations in which s/he has worked. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial. Finally, the Chief Investigator must have a commitment to continuous improvement and to exploring innovative ways to improve law enforcement services.

Filing Period and Application Procedure

Final Filing Date: This is a Continuous posting and will be opened until filled. First review of submitted applications will be Friday, October 20, 2023. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after issue date. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.
 
The recruitment for the position of Chief Investigator, District Attorney is being directed by the ESA - Executive Services:
 
Interested individuals who feel they qualify for this position should submit a completed application packet at www.sccjobs.org. Include a letter of interest to the District Attorney, Jeffrey F. Rosen, current resume, up to five (5) references, and answers the supplemental questions:

Questions regarding the County may be directed to:
Employee Services Agency – Executive Services
Attention: Patricia Carrillo, Director of Executive Services

 Telephone: (408) 299-5897    Fax: (408) 279-5764
 Email: patricia.carrillo@esa.sccgov.org
Website: www.sccgov.org

Additional information about Santa Clara County can be found on their website at santaclaracounty.gov.  Additional information about the District Attorney’s Office is available at countyda.sccgov.org.
 
Thorough referencing and background investigation will be conducted once mutual interest has been established.
 
The County of Santa Clara is an Equal Opportunity/ADA employer and values diversity at all levels of the organization.

Please be aware that the County of Santa Clara requires that all County employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to their first day of employment or have an approved exemption request from the County.
 
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Typical Management Responsibilities

• Development, recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures and investigative plans for the operation of a varied investigative division within limits established by the District Attorney;
   
• Plans, assigns, and supervises through subordinate supervisors the activities of investigators and support staff engaged in conducting investigations of known or suspected violations of the law, including misconduct in public office;

 

• Reviews and evaluates reports and advises the District Attorney as to a course of action;
   
• Interprets and ensures uniform adherence to departmental policies and procedures relating to the investigative activities of the department, and evaluates the effectiveness of the operation of investigative services;
   
• Makes recommendations as needed and propose changes in departmental policies and procedures;
   
• Represents the District Attorney at meetings, conferences, seminars, and public appearances relating to: criminal justice system activities and other issues related to the Office's mission;
   
• Establishes and maintains inter-agency rapport and cooperation with other agencies;
   
• Evaluates and makes recommendations on the effectiveness of subordinate management and supervision;
   
• Conducts special studies and investigations;
   
• Identifies training needs and directs the instruction and training of subordinates, including ensuring that all sworn staff meet and maintain all POST training requirements;
   
• Directs the compilation and maintenance of records;
   
• Directs and participates in preparation of the division's annual budget;

 

• Ensures that evidence is maintained in accordance with laws, procedures and policies, and ensures that appropriate audits are conducted to confirm proper evidence handling;
   
• Performs related duties as assigned.

An ideal candidate would typically possess considerable training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) to eight (8) years of experience supervising and administering staff and functions which utilized current trends and scientific methods of criminal investigation.

In addition, possession of a Management POST Certificate is required at time of appointment.

Candidates should possess thorough knowledge of the principles of law enforcement administration, organization, leadership, management and supervision; Accepted practices and procedures of law enforcement; Principles and practices used in planning, organizing and directing criminal investigative units and related activities; Thorough knowledge of court procedures with particular emphasis on the prosecution and defense of law violators; Thorough knowledge of the practices involved in administrative investigations, including the provisions of the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act; Techniques and methods of criminal investigation; Techniques of interviewing and interrogation; Rules of evidence, arrest, search and seizure laws; Principles of budget preparation; Principles of report writing practices; and methods used to train Criminal Investigators.

In addition, candidates should also have the demonstrated ability to review and evaluate comprehensive reports on investigations; Instruct, advise, lead and evaluate subordinates; Conduct special studies and prepare comprehensive reports; Coordinate with, serve as a resource to, and advise attorneys in connection with the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases; Plan, organize and direct multiple criminal and civil investigation activities; Establish policies and procedures; Train and supervise others; Work effectively with other investigative agencies and individuals; Write clear and concise reports and communicate effectively with individuals and large groups.

Salary : $211,209 - $271,026