Criminal Investigator Level I/II

Under general supervision the Criminal Investigator Level I/II performs technical and investigative work in criminal cases and civil matters.

Positions 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). Level I is the level at which initial appointments are typically made; and advancement from the lower to the higher level of the class is at the discretion of the appointing authority, provided the minimum qualifications are met.

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.

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.

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.