Criminal Investigator II

Description

Under supervision, conducts investigations in support of the District Attorney's Office, of alleged or suspected violations of criminal and civil laws.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is recruiting for dynamic law enforcement officers to join the Bureau of Investigation. The Chief Investigator leads a diverse unit of Investigators with the mission to provide quality and timely investigation and support for the prosecutorial functions of the District Attorney’s Office.

A successful candidate would have experience performing detailed investigation of cases such as serious felony cases, homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, gang cases, narcotics, arson, and other major cases. The Bureau assumes original jurisdiction and is the primary investigative agency in a wide variety of economic crime cases including real estate fraud, major fraud, consumer fraud, elder financial fraud, worker’s compensation fraud, health/long-term disability fraud and auto fraud. Additionally, the Bureau is the primary investigative agency for parental child abductions, Election Code violations, crimes committed by public officials, Fair Political Practices Act violations, Corporation Code violations, environmental health violations, and high-tech crime.

Typical Tasks

• Conducts investigations of suspected violation of laws, rules and regulations;
• Plans and conducts criminal investigations to support Deputy District Attorneys in the prosecution of a wide variety of complex fraud cases, crimes against persons and alleged public corruption;
• Investigates crime scenes and gathers intelligence information related to organized crime or gang activities;
• Serves legal documents such as subpoenas, warrants, and summonses;
• Gathers pertinent information and evidence by interviewing complainants, witnesses, and suspects;
• Investigates crime scenes and conducts intelligence and evidence gathering activities;
• Prepares reports, files and recommends issuance of complaints and testifies as a witness in court or at administrative hearings;
• Calls for assistance from other law enforcement agencies;
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies;
• Develops contacts so that information may be obtained concerning crimes;
• Prepares detailed reports of investigations, including synopsis of facts, dates, names, places, findings of arresting officers, statements of witnesses, victims and suspects, and listings of evidence;
• Makes arrests and custodial detainments;
• Assists Deputy District Attorneys in preparation of cases for prosecution;
• Returns prisoners extradited to the State of California;
• May coordinate a special unit or field office and serve as a lead for investigators and other support staff, as assigned;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

• Completion of sixty (60) semester units (90 quarter units) of college level course work;
• Three (3) years of patrol experience as a peace officer;
• Two (2) years of investigative experience equivalent to Criminal Investigator I with the County of Santa Clara.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a current Regular Basic (or higher) California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certificate;
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment, and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver's authorization.

Knowledge

• Practices and methods employed in crime detection and criminal investigations;
• Techniques of identifying, preserving and presenting evidence;
• Laws and ordinances effective in the County, State and Federal Governments relating to the area of enforcement, arrest and the rules of evidence and court procedures in criminal trials;
• Computer software programs commonly used in the District Attorney's Office such as word processing, spreadsheets and commercial databases.

Ability

• Acquire, retain and apply police knowledge, procedures and department policies;
• Express oneself clearly and concisely orally and in writing, and be able to prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Communicate and effectively interact with a diverse community;
• Act calmly and make decisions during emergencies;
• Exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful conditions;
• Project professional authority;
• De-escalate hostile and aggressive behaviors;
• Observe accurately.

Physical Requirements

• Must be in good physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.