Career Opportunity

District Attorney's Investigator - 8550 (SFERS)

Recruitment: REF10000B

Published: April 18, 2022

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

About:

Appointment Type:   Permanent-Exempt (PEX) Appointment.  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 pleasure of the appointing officer.

Background:

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office is one of the most respected and innovative prosecutor’s offices in the United States. Our mission is to promote justice by fostering accountability and repairing harms by using data-driven, evidence-based approaches.  In addition, what sets our office apart is our dedication to addressing root causes of crime and preventing recidivism; our centering of crime victim and survivors; and our commitment to eliminating racial and class inequities in the criminal legal system—including through reduced reliance on incarceration.  

In response to the need to ensure the integrity of the criminal justice system, the District Attorney of San Francisco, Chesa Boudin, has taken an innovative approach to the investigation and prosecution of officer involved shootings (OIS), in-custody deaths and excessive use of force, through the Independent Investigations Bureau (IIB). This bureau is comprised of prosecutors, paralegals and investigators.  IIB is responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases against law enforcement officers, who violate the 4th and/or 14th Amendment rights of individuals.

IIB investigators are Sworn Peace Officers per Section 830.1 of the California Penal Code.

IIB conducts complete, thorough, and unbiased investigations and evaluations of cases that involve allegations of unconstitutional policing. The DA, via IIB, has the autonomy and independence to investigate, bring to prosecution and/or make other appropriate recommendations on such cases. 

IIB has three primary responsibilities:

1.        Lead investigative role in all officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths with any criminal prosecutions that may result.

2.       Investigate and prosecute police misconduct involving 4th and 14th Amendments criminal violations. Police misconduct is defined as intentional acts by law enforcement officials, who misuse their positions to unlawfully deprive individuals of constitutional rights, such as the right to be free from unwarranted assaults, illegal arrests and searches, excessive force and theft of property.

3.       Conduct conviction reviews on complaints of procedural error or factual innocence resulting from internal investigations or outside referrals. Conviction review is intended to identify and correct past errors in convictions. This is done through an extrajudicial, fact-based review of secured convictions to investigate plausible allegations of actual innocence. This will include cases discovered through our internal look back process after misconduct allegations is discovered, as well as cases brought externally by individuals.  IIB will be tasked with independently investigating these cases and remedying any errors.

With the diverse nature of our community, the ability to work with people of many different backgrounds is critical in the work we do. The Office of the District Attorney proactively seeks to recruit, retain and promote DA Investigators that reflect the diversity of the community we serve.

Role description

Essential Job Duties, include but are not limited to: 

Under the guidance of IIB management, the investigator will take on investigative roles as it relates to all officer involved shootings and in-custody deaths with any criminal prosecutions that may result.  This position encompasses the following essential functions:

•    Participate in criminal investigative work involving a wide variety of difficult and complex cases under the jurisdiction of IIB. 
•    Conduct extremely delicate and sensitive investigations by preparing and preserving all evidence gathered to present to IIB prosecutorial staff, in such a way as to maintain integrity of information needed for the prosecution of cases.   
•    Interview victims, witnesses and suspects relative to IIB specific criminal investigations. Assist in preparing reports for use in the evaluation and prosecution of criminal cases.
•    Conduct thorough analysis of crime scenes, as well as intelligence and evidence gathering activities. 
•    Prepare diagrams, charts, and scale drawings.  Photograph crime scenes and evidence items. 
•    Gather and review police reports, victim and witness statements, plus lab and medical reports.  Review in detail Body Worn Camera footage.
•    Research law enforcement databases, such as CLETS, CalPhoto and LexisNexis Accurint.  Research for possible social media and other open source information. 
•    Prepare detailed reports of investigations, including synopsis of facts, dates, names, places, findings related to charges against officers in question, statements of witnesses, victims and suspects. 
•    Author search and arrest warrant affidavits.  
•    Serve subpoenas to victims and witnesses.  Also, serve subpoenas to obtain documents and digital media, such as patient treatment records and third party video surveillance footage.  With the utmost of discretion, serve subpoenas on sensitive Grand Jury proceedings.
•    Testify in court proceedings, such as evidentiary hearings, preliminary hearings, trial and Grand Jury proceedings.
•    Arrange for witnesses to appear for court to present testimony. In certain limited circumstances, transport the victim or witness to court.

Additional Duties: 
Investigators may be assigned additional collateral duties, including but not limited to:
•    Assist with security and safety measures for Office staff and the general public.  
•    Make Peace Officer arrests in critical or emergency situations.
•    Attend mandated California Peace Officer Standards and Training courses to maintain perishable skills and other accredited training courses to enhance investigative knowledge and skills.  
 

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a combination of education at the collegiate level in criminology, penology, police science, or a closely related field and responsible criminal investigative experience totaling six years.

Must meet all current hiring standards of P.O.S.T., including passing a P.O.S.T. background investigation, a psychological and physical examination before appointment.

Desired Qualifications:

Knowledge of existing criminal codes and laws, modern investigative techniques and methods; Presenting and preserving evidence; Techniques of drawing and photography relating to investigative work.
 
Possess the skill and ability to handle responsible investigative assignments with tact, resourcefulness, and good judgment; Prepare and maintain investigative data, records and reports; Communicate verbally and in writing; Operate modern equipment used in criminal investigative work; Work with individual members of the legal staff, representatives of other groups and organizations relating to criminal justice system activities.

License or certificate:

Possession of a valid Peace Officer Basic Certificate issued by the State of California Commission on Peace Officers Standards (POST). Must be currently certified by POST (i.e., active California Peace Officer within three years, or successfully completed the POST 136 hour Requalification Course upon hire).

The appointee must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license. 

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 Agency will be invited to participate in the selection process.  Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the process.

What else should I know?

Salary and Benefits

The position has a five-step salary scale ranging from $112,788 - $143,936.  The successful applicant is appointed to a salary step based on years of experience and additional relevant degrees, certifications, credentials, or skills.  

The City offers robust health, retirement, and other benefits.  For more information please visit https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview.  

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

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

This is a continuous recruitment with no deadline to apply at this time.

Contact: Shavaun Tolliver, Senior Human Resources Analyst (628) 652-4040

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

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.