Supervising Special Investigator
Department of Transportation
Job Description and Duties
The position is located in our Sacramento Legal Office. Under the direction of a Deputy Chief Counsel and/or Assistant Chief Counsel, the incumbent serves as a first‑line supervisor in charge of Special Investigators in the Sacramento Legal Office and Fresno Legal Office. In addition to direct supervision, the incumbent will be responsible for investigations either as the principal investigator or as the regional coordinator representing the Legal Division by and through the divisions and/or programs involved in a particular legal matter or issue.
The Caltrans Legal Division is comprised of five offices statewide including its headquarters office near the State Capitol in Sacramento and branches in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego and Fresno. Our overall environment is both supportive and challenging where staff is given substantial responsibility at every stage of their career. As an employee of the State of California, the Caltrans Legal Division offers excellent compensation and benefits packages. This includes holidays, vacation and sick leave (or annual leave) and health, dental, vision and pension benefits.
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Supervising Special Investigator I (Non‑peace Officer) exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
Please take this 1‑minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.
https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G
https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI
Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in‑person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining‑unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquarters location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Department Information
Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Special Requirements
All interested candidates must submit a completed standard State of California Application (STD 678) and a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to be considered for this position. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ. Applicants who fail to submit the SOQ will be eliminated from the selection process.
The SOQ serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Each question must be numbered and addressed in the same order as the questions below. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12‑point Arial font.
- Describe how your education, knowledge and experience make you the most qualified candidate for this position.
- Describe your experience handling multiple assignments and meeting deadlines.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org/. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
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.
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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). 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.
Required Application Package Documents
- 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 – Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.
Desirable Qualifications
Knowledge: Incumbent is required to possess all of the knowledge, skills and abilities of a Special Investigator in planning, organizing, and directing investigations and in addition possess knowledge of principles and techniques of personnel management and supervision. Know the supervisor’s role in safety, health, labor relations and be familiar with the demands of a multi‑dimensional, multi‑cultural work force. Know the supervisor's responsibility for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment and for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion.
Ability: Incumbent has to be able to direct the actions of others in performing complete and accurate investigations, legal research and case preparation. Be able to interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations. Be able to supervise a staff of Special Investigators. Communicate effectively; establish and maintain cooperative relations with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Be technically proficient in photography, accident scene analysis, accident dynamics, trial tactics, witness preparation and evidence preparation. Be able to train subordinates in all aspects of case preparation and in the fine art of assisting attorneys. Effectively maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment and promote equal opportunity in employment.
Benefits
Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.
Contact Information
Human Resources Contact: Ellaine Cupino, (916) 201‑8424, ellaine.cupino@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact: Kasia Micherda, (916) 651‑3625, kasia.micherda@dot.ca.gov
EEO Contact: Caltrans EEO Office, (844) 368‑3367, Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
Important Application Instructions
The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-501834), PARF# 42‑6‑011 and title of the position (Supervising Special Investigator I (Non‑Peace Officer)) must be included on the STD. 678 form.
Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.
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 on public servants.
