County of Alameda

Investigator, Probation Department (#8588)

Bargaining Unit: Unrep - Confidential Mgmt (U50)
$57.26-$69.28 Hourly / $4,580.80-$5,542.40 BiWeekly /
$9,925.07-$12,008.53 Monthly / $119,100.80-$144,102.40 Yearly


DESCRIPTION

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor of Professional Standards, Probation, conducts background and internal affairs investigations in the Probation Department’s Professional Standards Unit, and performs related investigative duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The classification of Investigator, Probation Department is a sworn, journey-level classification.  Investigator, Probation Department maintains an investigative caseload and conducts thorough and complete background and internal affairs investigations in accordance with departmental policies, Civil Service Rules, government code, applicable laws, and procedural requirements.    This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Supervisor of Professional Standards, Probation in that the latter is responsible for providing supervision, direction, and guidance to Investigators within the Professional Standards Unit.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

  1. Conducts complex administrative and criminal investigations of suspected employee misconduct and prepares reports of completed investigative findings.
  2. Conducts investigations of citizen complaints against Department employees and prepares reports of completed investigative findings.
  3. Conducts employee background investigations on peace officer and non-peace officer applicants.
  4. May conduct discrimination complaint investigations.
  5. Conducts surveillance of employees suspected of misconduct and/or illegal activities, collects and preserves evidence, works with other law enforcement agencies, and testifies in personnel appeal hearings.
  6. Applies applicable provisions of bargaining unit memoranda of understanding; California Penal Code; Government Code; Evidence Code; Code of Civil Procedures; Peace Office Bill of Rights; County Civil Service Rules, policies, and procedures; personnel rules; and disciplinary guidelines.
  7. Develops and maintains working relations with other federal, state, county, and other local public agencies.
  8. Consults with the Supervisor of Professional Standards, Probation to develop investigative case plans.
  9. Identifies, collects, records, and preserves evidence.
  10. Prepares well-organized, accurate, timely, clear and concise presentations, letters, reports, final investigation files, and written summary of findings; analyzes investigation results and draws logical and objective conclusions; confers with hiring managers; and makes recommendations.
  11. Conducts investigative interviews and interrogations of applicants, applicant personal references, applicant employment references, and internal affairs subjects, and develops and pursues lines of inquiry to gather information related to background and internal affairs investigations.
  12. Researches, obtains, and reviews data from various databases and information systems to verify information and/or check for inconsistencies related to applicant and employee information.
  13.  Attends training sessions, seminars, and conferences related to investigation practices.  More experienced incumbents may be asked to provide training to newer Investigators on investigation techniques, processes, and/or tasks.
  14. May perform the duties of the Supervisor of Professional Standards, Probation in their absence.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (180 quarter or 120 semester units).  

AND

EITHER I
Experience:

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time experience in the classification of Deputy Probation Officer III or in an equivalent or higher-level Probation classification in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II
Experience:

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time experience in a comparable classification to Deputy Probation Officer III in the Alameda County classified service conducting background or internal affairs investigations on peace officer applicants in a probation, law enforcement agency, parole agency, or correctional institution.

Special Requirements:

  • Meet the minimum requirements for Peace Officer (Section 1031 of the Government Code.
  • Applicants are not required to be a US citizen but must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (Per SB 960).
  • Successfully pass a Peace Officer background investigation, psychological and medical examination.
  • Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and a good driving record according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles negligent operator guidelines and qualification for automotive insurance.
  • Any felony conviction is disqualifying.
  • As a condition of employment, use, maintain, carry, and qualify with approved department firearms.
  • Travel is required in order to interview staff and perform investigative tasks.
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.


KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

  • Selections standards as set forth by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
  • Current investigation interviewing and interrogation techniques.
  • State, federal, and local statutes, ordinances, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures related to background investigations and internal affairs investigations.
  • Probation Department policies, processes, and procedures.
  • Probation bargaining unit memoranda of understanding; California Penal Code; Government Code; Evidence Code; Code of Civil Procedures; Peace Office Bill of Rights; laws of arrest, search and seizure case law, and rules of evidence; County Civil Service rules, policies, and procedures; personnel rules; and disciplinary guidelines.
  • Current practices and methods employed in background and internal affairs investigations. 
Ability to:

  • Utilize principles and practices of confidentiality in order to prevent compromising the integrity of an investigation or investigation file documents.
  • Define problems, collect information, establish facts, analyze and evaluate alternative solutions, draw valid conclusions, and select and act on the best course of action.
  • Write clearly, accurately, and concisely, and use grammatically correct English to convey ideas in written reports, letters, memoranda, and other documents.
  • Set goals and objectives, establish priorities, meet deadlines, coordinate work with others, and work closely as part of an investigative team.
  • Demonstrate effective public speaking skills, plan and deliver effective presentations, and prepare related materials.
  • Effectively utilize interviewing, interrogation, and investigative techniques and procedures.
  • Be flexible and tolerant in adjusting to interruptions and/or changes in workload and assignments.
  • Demonstrate self-restraint, good judgment, and strategic decision-making when interacting with a variety of people under varying situations, conditions, and circumstances.
  • Recognize, collect, gather, and preserve evidence.
  • Evaluate the credibility of persons interviewed.
  • Effectively apply laws of arrest, search and seizure case law, and rules of evidence.
  • Use laptops, personal computers, and word processing software.
  • Maintain monthly statistical data on time utilization and cases completed.
  • Gather, record, interpret, and report statistical data.
  • Effectively utilize a firearm.
  • Effectively utilize self-defense techniques.
  • Conduct training. 



CLASS SPEC HISTORY

New Spec: 8588

IC:jf 12/18/17

CSC Date: 3/28/18

RE: saa Revised 03/02/2023

CSC Date: 05/03/2023

TG:saa Revised 11/04/2021

CSC Date:08/09/2023


BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Vision or Vision Reimbursement
  • Share the Savings
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
  • County Allowance Credit
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 12 paid holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
  • Child Care Resources
  • 1st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.




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