FIND_THE_RIGHTJOB.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

United States

Department of Industrial Relations – Office of the Director—Legal Unit, 355 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Under the general supervision of the Supervising Special Investigator for the Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director Legal Unit (OD Legal), and the direction of the Assistant Chief Counsels and the Chief Counsel, the Special Investigator conducts independent investigations in workers’ compensation cases in which OD Legal attorneys represent the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF), the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF), and the Death Without Dependents Fund (DWD); conducts investigations related to civil litigation; and analyzes the application of and enforcement of rules, regulations and laws, as relevant to investigations. The Special Investigator is expected to conduct careful and thorough investigations in order to detect relevant evidence and background information concerning civil litigation and workers’ compensation cases handled by the Legal Unit; investigate cases in which the worker asserts employee status rather than independent contractor status, pursuant to the ABC test; assist with discovery investigations in civil litigation and workers' compensation cases; locate and interview potential witnesses; gather documentary evidence; and prepare correspondence and written reports.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Special Investigator job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2740

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time position in an office environment on the 18th floor of a 45-story private office building located at 355 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Employees in this position have a cubicle or an office as available, work at desks, and are required to work extensively on computers as necessary for the drafting of letters and other documents, and for research, email communication, file review, training and other purposes.

The office location in downtown Los Angeles on Bunker Hill, and is two blocks from the Grand Ave. Arts/Bunker Hill station on the A and E lines. Many bus lines have stops on adjacent streets, including Commuter Express buses as well as LADOT Dash buses. Benefits include reimbursement of 100% of the cost of commuter transit passes.
Bike parking is available in the building’s garage

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-490836

Position #(s):

400-113-8612-004

Working Title:

Special Investigator

Classification:

SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

$5,528.00 - $6,863.00 A

$6,310.00 - $8,217.00 B

$6,924.00 - $9,037.00 C

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

Work Location:

Los Angeles County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers.

Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov/ Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions” section below and ensure the following:

Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (cert, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.

Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

In order to apply for this position, you must submit a Statement of Qualifications highlighting your experience that qualifies you for this position in addition to the standard application form. A resume cannot be submitted in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ should be typed in 13-point Times New Roman font, spaced at 1.5 spaces, be no more than 5 pages in length and address the following two topics (include each topic as a heading):

Describe your knowledge of investigation procedure and technique by describing in detail each step that you would take to (a) gather and preserve information from a witness to a workplace injury, and (b) communicate the information you gathered to your supervisor. Divide the description into three distinct points of time: (1) before interviewing the witness; (2) while interviewing the witness; and, (3) after interviewing the witness.

Describe how your experience to date has prepared you to organize and manage a high volume of work.

You may attach your SOQ in either Word or Adobe pdf format.

Additional Special Requirement:

Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 9/24/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Industrial Relations

Cert Mailing Address Sacramento

Attn: Certifications Unit

2180 Harvard Street Suite 160

Sacramento, CA 95815

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Industrial Relations

Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento

2180 Harvard Street Suite 160

Sacramento, CA 95815

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Statement of Qualifications - Please see Special Requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Knowledge concerning the work of the Department in administering and enforcing labor laws, especially those concerning workers’ compensation.
Prior experience working in a legal office preparing legal documents.
Knowledge of laws related to the identities of legal entities.
Knowledge of rules of civil procedure and service of process.
Familiarity with bankruptcy law.
Prior experience conducting investigations and drafting investigation reports.
Prior experience doing internet research to obtain public records.
Strong interpersonal skills and tact in dealing with members of the public.
Proficiency in Word and other Microsoft applications.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

The state offers comprehensive benefits for its employees, who provide essential and exceptional service to millions of Californians every day.

Health, Vision and Dental
Retirement
Savings Plan
Group Legal Service Insurance
Vacation/Annual Leave Accrual
Paid Holidays
Employee Assistance Program

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/

Human Resources Contact:
Certification Unit
(800) 564-0771
cert@dir.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Diversity and Inclusion Office
(916) 559-6999
DIO@dir.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

DIR Mission and Core Values

Our mission is to protect and improve the welfare and working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR is also committed to ensuring that all employers comply with labor laws in California to support a fair and thriving business environment.

Integrity - We fulfill the promise of our mission through fair, honest and ethical behavior

Service - We are committed to responsibly serving the public and value their trust.

Respect - We treat others with dignity, courtesy and consideration.

Quality - We take pride in providing the public with accurate and timely services.

Transparency - We conduct ourselves with openness and accountability in all aspects of our work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

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