Exam Bulletin - Special Investigator (LEAP)

State of California

Exam Code: EX-5201

Examination Plans Included:

  • SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR: $5,528.00 - $6,863.00 (A) per Month
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR: $6,310.00 - $8,217.00 (B) per Month
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR: $6,924.00 - $9,037.00 (C) per Month
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR: $5,528.00 - $6,863.00 (L) per Month
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR: $6,310.00 - $8,217.00 (M) per Month
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR: $6,924.00 - $9,037.00 (N) per Month

View the SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed examination. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation, your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the examination until the request is processed.

Introduction to the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP)

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an alternative examination and appointment process for the recruitment and hiring of persons with disabilities into the California state civil service. The LEAP is a two-part process that consists of: (1) a Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation and (2) a Job Examination Period that is administered and evaluated in the work setting.

To qualify to take this Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation, you must first have LEAP certification issued by the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). For information on how to obtain LEAP certification, visit the DOR website at https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/LEAP. To find a DOR office near you, contact the DOR at (916) 558-5300, TTY (916) 558-5302, or online at www.dor.ca.gov.

The legal authority for the LEAP is Government Code Sections 19240-19244.

Work Type Preferences may be selected on the Optional Conditions of Employment Selections section found in the exam application "Application Package" tab. Selected Work Type Preferences indicate the types of employment you are willing to accept.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR - Open

Individuals who meet all of the following criteria:
  1. Individuals with a disability, a record of a disability, or who are regarded as having a disability that limits one or more major life activities
  2. Individuals who have Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) certification from the California Department of Rehabilitation
  3. Individuals who satisfy the minimum qualifications as stated in the minimum qualifications section below

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 24 months:

Exam Code(s):

    5201

For SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 24 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-05201

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00108612 - SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

Patterns cannot be combined to meet the Minimum Qualifications.

Either Pattern 1

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college/university with either a:
  1. Major in criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, administration of justice, police science, business administration, public administration, or a comparable field of study. (Students who are registered as a senior in college will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) or

  2. (a) Minor in criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, administration of justice, police science, business administration, public administration, or a comparable field of study with evidence that the following courses or their equivalent have been completed: introduction to criminal justice, introduction to criminal law, basic investigation, evidence, criminal procedure, philosophy of law, accounting, finance, real estate; and (b) an internship in criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, administration of justice, police science, business administration, public administration, or a comparable field of study. (Students who are registered as a senior in college will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)
Or Pattern 2

Education: Equivalent to completion of two years of college with a major in criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, police science, administration of justice, business administration, public administration, or a comparable field of study. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Applicants who are being considered for Special Investigator positions must possess education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.) and

Experience: (a) Two years of experience such as a police detective, or (b) Two years of experience as an investigator performing comparable investigative work in a public or private agency or in the armed services.

Or Pattern 3

Education: Equivalent to completion of two years of college with a major in criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, police science, administration of justice, business administration, public administration, or a comparable field of study. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Applicants who are being considered for Special Investigator positions must possess education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.) and

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing investigative duties at a level comparable to those of either an Investigator Assistant, Special Investigator Assistant, or in an investigation assignment in a class equal to a Management Services Technician, Range B. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for this pattern will be admitted into the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete one year of experience in the class before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)
Minimum Age

Minimum age for appointment: 21 years

Position Description

00108612 - SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR

The Special Investigator is a deep class with three alternate ranges. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting independent criminal, civil, and/or administrative investigations to detect or verify suspected violations or provisions of Federal, State, and/or local laws, rules, or regulations; obtaining and verifying evidence to support administrative action, conferences, and/or prosecution; determining type of case and developing investigation plan; conducting and completing investigations; maintaining accurate master investigation case files; providing technical assistance and training to others; cooperating with and securing the assistance of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; preparing clear, concise, and accurate documents and reports detailing investigation activities and findings; and performing other related duties.

Investigation responsibilities at Range B are expected to be more complex and require broader knowledge and application of investigative techniques and procedures. Incumbents conduct the complex criminal, civil, and/or administrative investigations to detect or verify suspected violations of laws, rules, or regulations; locate and interview witnesses and persons suspected of violations; obtain and present facts and evidence to support administrative action, conferences, and/or prosecution; prepare and/or obtain search warrants; serve subpoenas, inspection warrants, and/or other official legal papers; and perform other related duties.

At Range C, incumbents (1) lead or review the work of a small staff of Special Investigators in the performance of field investigations; detect or verify suspected multiple violations of laws, rules, or regulations; (2) have independent responsibility to oversee an entire investigative operation or project; (3) independently conduct the most difficult and complex investigations and participate in multi-agency investigations or assignments; and/or (4) in an investigatory program, perform program or policy development and interpretation duties which specifically require investigatory expertise.

Special Personal Characteristics

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles; aptitude for investigation work; be flexible; willingness as a learner to do routine or detailed work in order to learn the practical application of investigative principles; may be required to travel; keenness of observation; good memory for names, faces, places, and incidents; neat personal appearance; tact; emotional stability and maturity; and demonstrated capacity for development as evidenced by work history, academic attainment, participation in school, or other activities, or by well-defined occupational or vocational interests.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to possessing the above requirements, Special Investigators may be required to meet the following department­-specific requirements prior to appointment into a position with that department:

Department of Real Estate: Equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in Real Estate, Law, Finance, Public Administration, or Business Administration and two years of experience in one of the following areas: sale or exchange of farm, residential, or business properties; and/or negotiating for real estate loans in bank, realty office, or savings and loan bank.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1LEAP AssessmentN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

LEAP Process Information

PART 1: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT/READINESS EVALUATION – Weighted 100%

This Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation consists solely of minimum qualification questions that assess the training, experience, and education that you have previously obtained. Your responses to the questions will determine if the training, experience, and education you have meet the minimum qualifications for the Special Investigator classification. If you pass the Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation, your name will be placed on the Special Investigator LEAP Referral List, and you will have referral list eligibility to apply for Special Investigator vacancies.

Applicants who obtain Special Investigator LEAP Referral List eligibility must compete for job vacancies in order to begin PART 2 of this process, which is called the Job Examination Period.

PART 2: JOB EXAMINATION PERIOD (JEP)

The JEP begins after you are hired and obtain an examination appointment. When you perform the duties of your state job, you will be evaluated on your job performance at least every four weeks, or more often, if needed. Your evaluation will be based on the classification specification and the duty statement of the position.

The JEP will be the same length as the length of the probationary period for the same non-LEAP classification.

After successful completion of the JEP, the result will be a transition from an examination appointment to a standard appointment as a Special Investigator. If appointed to a permanent position through the LEAP process, you will not be required to serve a probationary period.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Investigation techniques and procedures
  2. Rules of evidence and court procedures
  3. Laws of arrest, search and seizure
  4. Legal rights of citizens
  5. Service of legal process
  6. Interviewing techniques
  7. Duties of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies
  8. Provisions of the laws, rules, or regulations enforced or administered
  9. Principles and techniques of personnel management and supervision
Skill to:
  1. Perform investigatory work
  2. Plan, organize, and direct investigations
Ability to:
  1. Interpret and apply laws and regulations to specific situations
  2. Gather and analyze facts and evidence
  3. Reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations
  4. Communicate effectively
  5. Prepare written documents and accurate detailed investigation reports clearly and concisely
  6. Follow written and oral instructions
  7. Participate effectively in investigations and interviews
  8. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies, and others
  9. Analyze situations accurately, think and act quickly in emergencies, and take an immediate and effective course of action
  10. Develop, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple case investigations, work plans, and other assignments or tasks
  11. Review and evaluate the work of others
  12. Provide guidance and constructive feedback
Department Specific Knowledge

In addition to possessing the knowledge above, Special Investigators may be required to possess the following department-specific knowledge:

Department of Insurance
Knowledge of:
  1. General insurance principles, practices, procedures, and terminology
  2. General insurance and contract law, the Insurance Code, related statutes, and court decisions
  3. Accounting principles and procedures
Department of Real Estate
Knowledge of:
  1. The laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to real estate research, enforcement, licensing, subdivision, and recovery

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)