Career Opportunity

8550-District Attorney's Investigator

Recruitment: RTF0123002-01124239

Published: June 10, 2022

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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 harm 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 victims and survivors; and our commitment to eliminating racial and class inequities in the criminal legal system—including through reduced reliance on incarceration.  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.  The unparalleled opportunities for challenging, meaningful, and sophisticated work have consistently drawn top candidates to our office over the years.

Role description

As a division of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Investigations consists of Sworn Peace Officers per Section 830.1 of the California Penal Code. Under general supervision, District Attorney Investigators assist prosecutors in preparing and organizing cases for court, including locating missing witnesses and organizing evidence for presentation at trial. Additionally, DA Investigators assist various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure thorough investigations are conducted.  DA Investigators specialize in investigative areas divided primarily into two units, specifically the Trial Preparation Unit and the White-Collar Crimes Units.

In both units, District Attorney Investigators work with law enforcement officers from various jurisdictions, that have included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the California Department of Insurance, the California Department of Justice, the University of California Police, the San Francisco Police Department, and the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office

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.

 Essential Job Duties include but are not limited to:

As a sworn member of the Trial Preparation Unit or the White Collar Crimes Units, conduct a variety of criminal investigations coming under the jurisdiction of the District Attorney’s Office in order to assist and support prosecutors in the successful outcome of their cases.  This would include:

• Gather and review police reports, victim and witness statements, plus lab and medical reports.  Review Body Worn Camera footage.  Conduct extensive interviews of victims, witnesses, and suspects.  Digitally audio record the interviews and write interview reports and summaries, as needed.
• Research law enforcement databases, such as CLETS, CalPhoto, and LexisNexis Accurint.  Research for possible social media and other open-source information. 
• Obtain certified out-of-county court documents to be used in current court proceedings in San Francisco. 
• Prepare investigative reports that include a Chronological Report of the Investigation and interview reports.  Prepare diagrams, charts, and scale drawings.  Photograph crime scenes and evidence items.  Create Excel spreadsheets, as needed on financial crimes investigations. 
• Conduct surreptitious surveillance, only if approved by a supervisor, to identify and locate a suspect or reluctant witness on charged and uncharged cases. 
• Serve subpoenas on charged cases to victims and witnesses.  Also, serve subpoenas to obtain documents and digital media, such as patient treatment records and video surveillance footage.  With the utmost discretion, serve subpoenas on sensitive Grand Jury proceedings.
• Arrange for witnesses to appear in court to present testimony.  Work with the Victim Advocates as needed.  In certain limited circumstances, transport the victim or witness to court.
• Provide witness security and relocation on high-risk prosecutions, such as a gang homicide. Assist in courtroom security, in conjunction with the court bailiffs, to ensure the safety of District Attorney personnel, victims, and witnesses.
• Author search and arrest warrant affidavits.  Then safely serve the warrants with fellow DA Investigators and other sworn personnel.  Only under emergency exigent circumstances, make a no-warrant arrest and then book the custody into San Francisco County Jail #1. 
• Testify in court proceedings, such as Dunlap hearings, evidentiary hearings, preliminary hearings, trial, and Grand Jury proceedings.
• Assist other law enforcement agencies in the furtherance of their investigations.  Participate in community meetings and events, plus perform outreach to our diverse local community groups and others interested in criminal justice system activities.

Additional Duties:

District Attorney Investigators may be assigned these additional collateral duties and participate in task forces, including but not limited to:

• Respond to and investigate family child abductions with the primary goal to ensure the safety of the child.  Work with the Family Law court and Child Protective Services to facilitate the safe return of the child.  Interstate or international travel to recover an abducted child may be necessary, 
• Provide a specialized need to the Bureau of Investigations, such as conducting computer and cell phone forensics, investigating environmental crimes, and instructing fellow DA Inspectors on firearms qualifications and defensive tactics.
• Assist on a local task force, such as the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team Task Force (REACT) and the California Highway Patrol Organized Retail Crimes Task Force.
• Perform a thorough background investigation on a DA Investigator candidate and coordinate Live Scan appointments for other prospective non-sworn staff.
• Conduct a comprehensive threat assessment to enhance office personnel's safety and physical well-being. 
• Participate in the California Witness Relocation and Assistance Program (CalWRAP) to help safeguard a victim or witness to ensure critical testimony is heard at court proceedings.  
• Assist on the Dignitary Security Detail where reliability, discretion, and flexibility during work hours are essential.  Selection for this assignment is at the discretion of the ranking DA Inspector. 
• 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

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.

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).

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.

What else should I know?

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 in the process.  Additional supplemental materials may be requested during the recruitment process. 

Salary Range commensurates with experience: $112,788 - $143,936 annually

This is continuous recruitment will be open until vacancies are filled.

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.