Background Investigator - Departmental Promotion

This Departmental Promotional recruitment is being conducted to fill one full-time Background Investigator position with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. Background Investigators in the Sheriff’s Office are assigned to the Professional Standards Division in French Camp. Investigators in this unit are responsible for conducting thorough and objective background investigations for prospective hires and/or Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) permits.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a departmental promotional opportunity. Qualified applicants must currently be employed with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office and meet the promotional eligibility requirements as stated in Civil Service Rule 10, Section 3-Eligibility for Promotional Examinations.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application packet must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.  

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a departmental promotion. Qualified applicants must currently be employed with San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office and meet the promotional eligibility requirements as stated in Civil Service Rule 10, Section 3-Eligiblity for Promotional Examinations.

Experience:  Either:  1) Two years performing law enforcement investigative work for a government or private investigative agency; or 2) four years as a peace officer in a government law enforcement agency.

Principles and practices of law enforcement-related investigation and research; relevant federal, state and local laws, codes, and ordinances related to the legal requirements of background investigations; how to access data in law enforcement electronic information systems; principles of identification; interviewing, negotiation, and conflict management methods and techniques; principles and procedures of recordkeeping and reporting; statistical analysis and data collection; basic computer and modern office automation technology and computer software programs relevant to department operations.

Effectively research and evaluate information and prepare sound recommendations based on research and analysis; demonstrate sensitivity of diverse cultures and individuals; work within stringent deadlines; organize, prioritize and perform multiple tasks to complete work; work independently; read, comprehend and interpret complex written materials; perform detailed work with accuracy; exercise good judgment in safeguarding confidential and sensitive information; exercise diplomacy when dealing with people in sensitive situations; operate computers and related software; establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, agencies, employees, and the general public; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Mobility – frequent operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting, standing, walking for extended periods of time; driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting - frequently 5 pounds or less; occasional 5 to 30 pounds; Visual - constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity - occasional reaching; grasping; frequent repetitive motion; writing; Hearing/Talking - frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological – constant decision making, concentration, and public contact; public speaking; dealing with emergency situations; Special Requirements – may require working overtime, weekends and nights; working alone; Environmental – occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to Equal Employment Opportunity Division (sjgov.org).

Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Civil Service Rule 10 – Section 3 – Eligibility for Promotional Examinations

To compete in a promotional examination, an employee must:

A. Meet the minimum qualifications of the class on or before the final filing date for filing applications.

B. Meet one of the following qualifying service requirements:

1. Have permanent status in the Classified Service.

2. Probationary, part-time, or temporary employees who have worked a minimum of 1040 hours in the previous 12 months or previous calendar year.

3. Exempt employees who have worked a minimum of 2,080 continuous and consecutive hours.

C. Have a rating of satisfactory or better on the last performance evaluation.

D. If a person whose name is on a promotional list is separated (except for layoff) the name shall be removed from the promotional list of the action.  

Employees who meet the minimum qualifications will go through one of the following examination process:

• Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format.  If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
• Oral Exam:   The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise.   The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview.   A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list.  Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews.  If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list. 
  
• Written & Oral Exam:  If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
• Rate-out:  A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process. 

Note:  The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.   

Eligible Lists:   Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.  Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a longer period which shall not exceed a total of three years for the date esblished.  

Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

• Rule of Five:  The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews.  This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

·         They are related to the Appointing Authority or

·         The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Apply Online:       

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:  

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202                                  

 

Office hours:               
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

 

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.