Specialist Field Investigator

Job Description and Duties

Are you excited to start or continue your career with a dynamic State Agency? Do you have a talent for performing efficiently in a fast-paced environment? Do you enjoy flexibility of possible telework and learning new stuff? If your answer is YES, YES, and YES, then look no further. APPLY AND JOIN OUR TEAM NOW! The Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) is made up of diverse and unique individuals just like YOU. Our team members contribute to our Agency’s goals and success everyday. We celebrate diversity and inclusion where all our team members feel included, accepted, valued, and recognized for their many talents and contributions to our Agency. We are committed to provide guidance, encouragement, and support to all our team members enriching their work and our ability to combat wage theft and put earned wages into the pockets of California workers. Specifically, being a member of the Bureau of Enforcement Program (BOFE) program, which also includes the Labor Employment Task Force (LETF), and /or the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Unit , you will have an impact on California workers through investigation and enforcement of state laws covering workers’ compensation insurance coverage, child labor, cash pay, unlicensend contractors, Industrial Welfare Commission orders, as well as group claims involving minimum wage and overtime claims.

Under direction of a Deputy Labor Commissioner Supervisor in the State Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) of the Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE), Labor Employment Task Force (LETF) and/or the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) program(s), the incumbent is responsible for leading investigations on the most complex and sensitive cases involving enforcement of the Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) orders and laws covering workers' compensation insurance coverage, child labor, cash pay, unlicensed contractors, as well as group claims involving minimum wage and overtime. The incumbent will serve as a subject-matter expert on specific industries and labor law violations, providing mentorship and training to lower-level staff on their subject matter expertise, and lead smaller projects to develop new tools and strategies to enhance investigation effectiveness and operational efficiency. BOFE may also work in partnership with other government entities on the investigation and prosecution of these group claims.

*This Position is Bilingual-Spanish*

**If you are using education to meet one of the patterns of the minimum qualifications, please upload or submit a copy of your diploma (or degree), certificate of completion or transcripts with your application package. See education requirement here: Labor Standards Enforcement Series - CalHR

**Please ensure that your job application is complete. For each of your employment history, please provide specific AND detailed description of duties/tasks performed; employment from (starting) date and to (ending) date; and hours per week worked. Failure to provide this information will disqualify your application.

**Please note Resume is NOT required, therefore, if you submit it with your job application, it will not be considered at all.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Deputy Labor Commissioner II job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click e to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The position is located at:

320 W. Fourth Street, Suite 400

Los Angeles, CA 90013

The duties of this position are conducted both in an office and field setting. The incumbent is required to travel for field operations and trainings. The incumbent will have access to a state vehicle, laptop computer, printer, cellular phone, and other equipment. While in the field, the incumbent may be exposed to dirt, odors, noise, fumes, uneven surfaces, stairs, high-rise buildings, extreme weather conditions, and fast moving equipment.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) fluency in the Spanish language. If the State of California does not have a current record documenting your fluency in this language, you will be required to successfully pass an approved language fluency test prior to being hired.

Statement of Qualifications :
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please attach your SOQ to your application. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. SOQ submitted that fail to specifically address the question, in context, and follow Instructions, will not be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in place of an SOQ.

12-point font; double spacing; 1” margins; no more than one page; paragraph format (no bullet points); put name, on the top left corner of the page; list JC number on the top right corner of the page.

Describe knowledge, skills, and ability you possess to conduct onsite wage and hour investigations at CA business establishments.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Knowledge of:

- State and related Federal labor laws; orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission

- Principles, practices, and terminology of labor relations work

- Purposes, organizations, and trends of employee and employer organizations

- Terminology used in various occupations

- Labor and employment conditions and trends in California

- Industrial occupations and their requirements and employment procedures

- The law of contracts as it applies to the field of labor relations

- Court procedures and rules of evidence

Skills:

- Active listening and fact-gathering in order to achieve comprehensive investigation

- Questioning and clarifying skills to grasp both the facts and the areas of controversy

- Organization and time management in order to prioritize multiple cases and assignments

- Decision-making and problem-solving in order to investigate cases effectively and efficiently

- Critical thinking and application of law skills in order to analyze problems and successfully resolve claims

- Good judgment in order to maintain the integrity of the decision-making process

- Report writing and/or findings analytically and concisely

- Decorum in order to engage the parties productively and with respect

Ability to:

- Interpret and apply State and related Federal labor laws, and orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission

- Analyze testimony and other types of evidence and draw correct conclusions

- Hold investigatory hearings and resolve disputes

- Deal tactfully, effectively, and impartially with employers

- Conduct difficult investigations of alleged violations of labor laws and Industrial Welfare Commission orders

- Deal with law enforcement problems tactfully but effectively

- Analyze situations accurately and take effective action

- Analyze data

- Communicate effectively

- Work independently and communicate effectively with fellow staff and the public while adhering to and promoting the Department's Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Comprehensive health benefits package with medical, dental, and vision options. Sick leave, vacation leave, or annual leave options available. Retirement plan through CalPERS. Other retirement options include 401 (k) and/or 457(b) participation through State of California Savings Plus program. Public transportation subsidy and pre-tax parking program options. Representation in the State of California collective bargaining process through CASE.

• Adjacent, short walking / driving distance to eating places/restaurants.

• Centrally located with nearby access to freeways

• Walking distance to public transportation such as buses, metro rails, and/or trains.

• Personal satisfaction knowing that you will have an impact on the daily lives of California workers.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• 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 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 - Please see Special Requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.