District Attorney Investigator I/II

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office serves as the public prosecutor for over 850,000 residents, working to protect the community and uphold the law. The office is staffed by 320 professionals, including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and support staff. The Bureau of Investigation (BOI) employs 60 investigators who provide professional investigative support in criminal and civil matters. Investigators are experienced and trained sworn peace officers recruited from law enforcement agencies throughout California. They are available 24 hours a day and utilize advanced equipment. The Bureau has three divisions: Major Crimes, Major Fraud, and Administrative. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is committed to diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion.

Requirements

Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at time of appointment as a District Attorney Investigator.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
Possess and maintain a valid California driver license and POST certificate.
Attach a legible copy of your Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and/or Supervisory California P.O.S.T. certificate.
Must be willing to work at any of the District Attorney’s Office locations throughout the County.
Must be able to work any shift including nights, weekends, and holidays, if needed.
May be required to work under adverse conditions and must be prepared to successfully respond to unexpected and occasionally life-threatening events.
Must have strength, endurance, and physical agility to restrain rebellious and/or violent offenders.
Some experience in criminal investigation which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (for Investigator I).
Completion of a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited college or university (for Investigator I).
At least one (1) year of criminal investigation experience in a government law enforcement agency (for Investigator I).
Additional investigative experience in a government law enforcement agency may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four (4) years (for Investigator I).
Considerable experience in criminal investigation which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (for Investigator II).
Completion of a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited college or university (for Investigator II).
Formal training in the California Rules of Evidence and in evidence accumulation and presentation at trial (for Investigator II).
At least two (2) years of criminal investigation experience in a government law enforcement agency (for Investigator II).
Additional investigative experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of four (4) years (for Investigator II).
Knowledge of the substantive and procedural California Criminal, Civil, and Juvenile laws, and the modern techniques and practices of criminal investigation.
Knowledge of laws of arrest, search and seizure, warrant and subpoena service, rules of evidence, and the admissibility of confessions and witnesses' statements.
Knowledge of the functions and extent of authority of the District Attorney's Office.
Knowledge of resources and techniques available in public and private criminal scientific laboratories and the latest medical-legal techniques in criminal investigation.
Knowledge of community-based policing and collaborative problem solving between community residents and law enforcement.
Skill and ability to gather, analyze, correlate and evaluate observed facts and evidence.
Skill and ability to work effectively with co-workers, members of the public and members of other law enforcement and government agencies.
Skill and ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
Ability to have accurate recall of investigated witnesses and situations.
Ability to use good judgment and maintain a high level of mental alertness in the course of completing assigned work.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with members of the Office, other agencies, the law enforcement community, and the public, including community policing, collaborative problem solving, and identifying/avoiding bias.
Ability to read and comprehend various written materials including legal documents.
Ability to operate vehicles and electronic equipment.
Ability in the use and care of firearms.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Assists in obtaining, preserving, and reporting admissible evidence for presentation in cases prosecuted by the District Attorney's Office.
Performs difficult criminal and civil investigations for the District Attorney's Office, Sheriff's Office, Municipal Police Agencies, and the Grand Jury.
Conducts criminal, civil, and special investigations of average difficulty for the District Attorney's Office, Sheriff's Office, Municipal Police Agencies, and the Grand Jury.
Gathers, preserves, and analyzes evidence and prepares reports.
Conducts field investigations, surveillances; searches crime scenes; interviews and interrogates complainants, suspects, witnesses, and other persons to obtain statements, documents, and related factual evidence.
Assists attorneys in the preparation and presentation of cases during court or Grand Jury proceedings.
Serves subpoenas; coordinates the appearance of witnesses at trial and explains court procedures.
Testifies in court and other legal proceedings regarding evidence and investigative findings.
Investigates the personal background of complainants, suspects, witnesses, and employee applicants.
Arrests suspected criminals; writes and serves search/arrest warrants, and other court processes.
Operates technical investigative equipment such as audio recorders, cameras, and electronic sound equipment.
Acts as a liaison and coordinates investigative activities with law enforcement officers from various agencies.
Plans and conducts more difficult and complex criminal, civil and special investigations for the District Attorney's Office, Sheriff's Department, Municipal Police Agencies the Grand Jury.
Gathers, preserves, and analyzes evidence and prepares reports.

Benefits

General Salary increases (GSI) - 3.5% effective December 20, 2026, and December 19, 2027.
Market-Based Adjustments (MBA) - 1.00% effective January 3, 2027, and 1.50% January 2, 2028.
Educational Incentive - 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on the completion of an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree or, if qualified, for POST certification; plus other premium/incentive/bonus payments.
Annual Leave - A candidate selected for this position will earn up to 160 hours of annual leave per year, increasing to 200 hours after 5 years of service.
Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan.
401(k) match - up to a 2.5% match on your 401(k) contributions.
Health Plans - Biweekly contribution towards a flexible benefits program (including medical, dental, and vision insurance options).
Wellness Program - Virtual fitness classes, wellness profile, health coaching, health club discounts and online health education with opportunities earn Wellthy Rewards.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - provides professional and confidential mental health counseling support for employees and their immediate family, if needed.
Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined benefit pension plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
Bilingual Incentive - Proficiency levels by exam are $1.38 per hour (Basic) and $2.81 per hour (Advanced).
Holidays - 12 paid days per year and a scheduled floating holiday.
Uniform Clothing Allowance - An allowance of $1,106 on November 1st of each year.
Textbook and Tuition - Up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year in accordance with the memorandum of agreement.