Career Opportunity

SFDA Bureau of Investigations Captain (8558-Principal District Attorney Investigator)

Recruitment: RTF0152089-01136220

Published: October 31, 2024

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Pertinent Recruitment Information:

• Application Opening: October 25, 2024
• Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than November 8, 2024 (extended, originally November 1, 2024).
• Appointment Type: Permanent-Exempt (PEX). Pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Charter, Section 10.104.13. Any person occupying a position under exempt appointment shall not be subject to civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures. Exempt employees shall serve at the discretion of the appointing officer.

About the Office: The San Francisco District Attorney's Office (SFDA) is the top law enforcement agency within the City and County of San Francisco enforcing all its laws to ensure the safety of the public at large and the support of all victims of crime. SFDA collaborates with the City’s diverse communities and law enforcement agencies to make San Francisco safe. Our office engages in public education and crime prevention efforts while maintaining the traditional role of investigating, charging, and prosecuting all criminal violations occurring within the City and County of San Francisco.

About the team: SFDA’s Bureau of Investigations is composed of District Attorney Investigators, who are sworn peace officers, and work closely with our prosecutors to prepare and organize cases for court.

Investigators work in the Trial Preparation Unit, Special Prosecutions Unit and the Independent Investigations Bureau within the SFDA. Investigators within the Trial Preparation Unit work closely with trial attorneys in the Criminal Division to supplement investigation in cases or, in some instances, build cases from the ground up. Their work ranges from serving subpoenas, reviewing and preparing criminal history reports, to conducting interviews of key witnesses and identifying and tracking down key pieces of evidence. Investigators assigned to the Special Prosecutions Unit provide similar types of support for cases involving fraud, public integrity, justice integrity, elder abuse, environmental, and consumer fraud. Investigators within the Independent Investigation Bureau investigate Officer Involved Shootings, in custody deaths, and reports of excessive use of force. 

Investigators also perform a variety of other duties, including but not limited to witness protection and relocation in cases where there is significant threat of retaliation; responding to family child abductions; conducting forensic analysis of computer and electronic evidence, and providing dignitary protection for high profile individuals.

Role description

About the position: Under general direction from the Chief of Investigations, the 8558 Principal District Attorney Investigator, which functions as the Captain of Investigations, oversees the operations of the SFDA’s Bureau of Investigations. The Captain reviews and directs the work of subordinates including Lieutenants, Senior Investigators and Investigators engaged in investigations of known and suspected violations of the law.  Additionally, the Captain may participate in investigations of unusual complexity that may be highly confidential or sensitive nature. The essential duties include but are not limited to:

• Direct the operations of investigative units in accordance with the Bureau and Department policy and procedures;
• Plan, organize and supervise the work of subordinate staff;
• Manage personnel matters within the Bureau of Investigations;
• Investigate citizen complaints involving investigative staff;
• Supervise and meet with subordinate staff regularly to discuss staff and unit activity;
• Ensure compliance with established policy and procedures;
• Ensure adequate staffing/resources for the daily operations of the Bureau of Investigations;
• Conduct Internal Affairs investigations;
• Meet and confer with the Chief of Investigations regarding hiring, promotions and transfers of investigative personnel;
• Review arrest/search warrants and operations plans, serves as a field supervisor and commander during the service of search and arrest warrants;
• Create and implement emergency and safety plans for the Office;
• Conduct threat assessments on individuals that may pose a threat to staff or the appointing officer;
• Supervise investigative staff assigned to the executive protection team;
• Conduct investigations, as assigned including cases of a highly sensitive and complex nature; prepares detailed reports of investigative findings for oral and written presentation;
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

How to qualify

Education and Experience: (A) Possession of some combination of education of the collegiate level in criminology, penology, police science or a closely related field and responsible criminal investigative experience totaling eight (8) years, of which (2) years must include supervisory experience; AND

Certification: (B) Possession of California P.O.S.T. Peace Officer Basic (or higher) Certificate (pursuant to California Penal Code Section 830.1); AND

License: (C) Possession of a valid California Driver’s license prior to appointment and meet and maintain driving requirements for the City & County of San Francisco.

Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• Possession of California P.O.S.T. Peace Officer Supervisory Certificate.
• Knowledge of the Peace Officer Bill of Rights.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, law enforcement leadership, and organizational behavior.
• Knowledge of criminal and civil law pertaining to cases in the jurisdiction of the District Attorney, including laws of arrest, search and seizure, rules of evidence, courtroom practices and procedures.
• Experience working in an investigative capacity for a District Attorney’s Office.

Supplemental Employment Information:

• Incumbent may be assigned to work outside of normal office hours.
• Incumbent may have to travel outside of the county, state, or country on official business.

Condition of Employment: Security Clearance. Candidates for employment with the District Attorney’s Office are required to undergo a background investigation to determine suitability for employment in the classification and Office. Failure to maintain security clearance may be the basis for termination from employment with the District Attorney’s Office.

Selection Procedure: Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience.  Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates’ qualifications.  Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Office will be invited to participate in the selection process.  Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement in the process.  Additional supplemental materials may be requested during the recruitment process.

What else should I know?

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.