Job Description

Under general supervision performs technical and investigative work in criminal cases and civil matters.

Definition

Under general supervision performs technical and investigative work in criminal cases and civil matters.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Positions in this class are typically located in the District Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, or the Investigation Division of the Department of Human Assistance.

Investigators in this class investigate a wide variety of crimes, which includes gathering evidence, interviewing and or interrogating and locating witnesses, investigating the scene of the crime, and writing a report of findings. Investigations by the District Attorney's Office focus on the prosecution of criminal violations, including making arrests of suspected criminal violators. Where investigators from the District Attorney's and Public Defender's Office have a broad criminal area of responsibility, investigators at the Department of Human Assistance investigate cases involving fraudulent receipt of public assistance, forgery, internal embezzlements, child care fraud, duplicate aid, fleeing felons, identity theft and have the responsibility to provide integrity for the varied programs administered by the department and may partner with other law enforcement units.

Criminal Investigator is a single class with two salary levels (Level I and Level II). Criminal Investigator (Level II) is the journey level in this series. Investigators at this level perform a full range of investigative work. Such work may include capital homicide cases. Independent analysis of evidence, use of a broad scope of investigative techniques, ingenuity, and initiative characterize this level. Level II is distinguished from Level I by the assignment of the more difficult investigations and the greater independence with which investigations are conducted, or by leadwork responsibility. Incumbents assigned to Level II generally have, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications for the class, at least one year as a Criminal Investigator (Level I) in Sacramento County service or three years as a detective/investigator in a recognized public law enforcement agency.

Criminal Investigator (Level I) is the first working level. In the District Attorney's Office and in the Investigation Division of the Department of Human Assistance it is the first sworn Peace Officer level. Incumbents perform less complex investigative work, or under supervision, perform work requiring advanced methods and techniques of investigation.

The Criminal Investigator (Level I/II) is distinguished from the next lower class of Investigative Assistant in that the latter class typically performs or assists in the routine or less complex investigations under the direction of a Criminal Investigator, Supervising Criminal Investigator or an attorney. The Criminal Investigator (Level I/II) is distinguished from the next higher class of Supervising Criminal Investigator in that the latter class is responsible for the supervision of a criminal investigation unit and the coordination of assigned activities with other units and agencies. Examples of Duties, Knowledge, and Abilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Investigates general, criminal and civil cases, including family support matters.
Identifies and locates witnesses, victims, suspects and persons by using information obtained through law enforcement databases, directories, utility records, internet sources, public or private agencies, employers, families, neighbors, or other individuals.
Interviews victims, witnesses, and interrogates suspects and/or defendants to obtain and/or clarify information related to assigned cases; analyzes, evaluates, documents and summarizes information gathered through such interviews.
Interprets and explains the provisions of laws, rules or regulations related to the investigation, and subpoenas witnesses.
Researches, collects, and preserves materials which may be used as evidence; photographs, diagrams and documents evidence needed by attorneys and others in support of a legal case; reviews records for personal history or other information; prepares written and statistical reports.
Records, analyzes, and evaluates statements for credibility and potential testimony.
Maintains records of investigative activities and prepares reports, correspondence and recommendations.
Testifies in court or at hearings regarding case records and investigative activities.
Performs stationary and moving surveillance related to civil and criminal cases.
Makes arrests with the ability to control resisting subjects with a minimum use of force to effect the arrest.
Serves search warrants, and performs interstate extraditions.
Serves as a lead worker for equivalent and lower classes in the series including providing training and reviewing, assigning, and monitoring of investigations and other work assignments.
Provides witness protection and relocation services.
Uses and cares for small firearms and shotguns.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Criminal Investigator (Level I)

Same as for Criminal Investigator (Level II).

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge Of:
Criminal Investigator (Level II):
Criminal investigative techniques and procedures
Rules of evidence and court procedures
Criminal and civil statutes and case law
Techniques of identifying, preserving, and presenting evidence
Laws of arrest, search and seizure, service of legal process, and the legal rights of citizens
Techniques of interviewing and interrogation
Laboratory procedures incident to the investigation of a crime
Report writing practices and techniques
Various resources available in locating individuals and elementary accounting procedures.

Criminal Investigator (Level I):
Investigative techniques and procedures including the gathering and preservation of evidence
Rules of evidence and court procedures
Criminal and civil statutes and case law
Techniques of interviewing and interrogation
Report writing practices and techniques

Ability To:
Criminal Investigator Level II:
Gather, assemble, analyze and evaluate facts and evidence
Draw conclusions and make proper recommendations
Obtain information through interview and interrogation
Evaluate situations and people accurately and adopt an effective course of action
Maintain effective working relationships
Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive correspondence and reports
Keep accurate notes and records
Read and understand legal codes and cases
Assess the credibility of witnesses
Testify in court in a direct, clear and concise manner
Work effectively with other agencies, commercial enterprises, groups and individuals

Criminal Investigator Level I:
Gather, assemble, analyze and evaluate facts and evidence, draw conclusions and make proper recommendations
Obtain information through interview and interrogation
Evaluate situations and people accurately and adopt an effective course of action
Maintain effective working relationships
Prepare clear, concise, comprehensive correspondence and reports
Work effectively with other agencies, commercial enterprises, groups and individuals.
Testify in court in a direct, clear and concise manner. Minimum Qualifications

Completion of 18 semester (27 quarter) units of coursework in administration of justice, law enforcement or police science or other related coursework which addresses prevention, discovery, control and treatment of crimes, criminals and criminality, from an accredited college or university.

And

Either: Two years in the class of Investigative Assistant in Sacramento County service.

Or: Three years as a detective/investigator with a District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Sheriff's Department, Police Department or other recognized public law enforcement agency whose primary responsibility is the investigation of criminal activity. To meet this experience requirement the majority of time must have been spent performing duties such as gathering evidence, interviewing and locating witnesses, investigating crime scenes, and writing reports of findings to be used in Court in the prosecution or defense of defendants.

Note: For the class of Criminal Investigator (Level I and Level II) investigative work which is gained through performance of duties such as patrol, inmate custodial work, accident investigation and the like is not considered qualifying.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

License Requirement:
Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, is required prior to appointment to this class. Failure to maintain a valid license may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Criminal History and Background Checks:
The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedure B-5 and applicable federal and state law. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to positions within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history check, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Conditions:
Incumbents must be willing to work irregular hours as individual investigations demand.

Certification Requirement:
Investigators in the District Attorney's Office and Welfare Fraud Investigation Division are designated peace officers by the Penal Code and must meet P.O.S.T. requirements. Investigators in the Public Defender's Office are not designated peace officers.

All applicants to sworn peace officer positions will require the following prior to appointment:

Criminal Investigator (Level II): Possession of a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.

Criminal Investigator (Level I): Possession of a certificate of completion from a P.O.S.T. approved basic academy course.

AND

Must meet all requirements for a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate with the exception of one year's experience as a peace officer. Probationary Period and Class History Information

Six (6) months

Adopted: 9/1/55
Revised: 5/22/92, 4/29/08
Retitled:
Class Code: 27731
Schematic Code: 43081C
EEO Code: 04
Rep Unit: 031
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Job Tags

Work at office, Relocation,

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