Job Description

Job Description and Duties

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The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), better known as Cal/OSHA, resides in the DIR.  Cal/OSHA protects and improves the health and safety of working people in California and the safety of passengers riding on elevators, amusement rides, and tramways by setting and enforcing standards; providing outreach, education, and assistance, and Issuing permits, licenses, certifications, registrations, and approvals.  The Bureau of Investigations is a unit within Cal/OSHA. The Bureau investigates violations of standards, orders, or special orders in which there has been a fatality or a serious injury or illness. The Bureau also directs investigations when DOSH's civil compliance staff makes a request for prosecution. For any case in which the Bureau is required to conduct an investigation and in which serious injury or death has occurred, the Bureau refers the results of the investigation to the appropriate prosecuting authority with jurisdiction over appropriate action, unless the evidence of a violation of the law is insufficient.

Come to a place that values integrity, professional development, and a team atmosphere. Cal/OSHA’s Bureau of Investigations is looking for talented, independent, and creative individuals to serve as investigators in one of several of our offices located around the state.  Special investigators independently conduct sensitive, complex criminal field investigations of industrial homicides for referral to local prosecuting authorities. Special Investigators respond to fatal incident scenes at factories, construction sites and other places of employment throughout the State of California, including those with the most complex operations and greatest hazards.  Incumbents also conduct investigations related to violations of occupational safety and health standards to determine violations of criminal laws.  Individuals appointed to this classification perform a variety of duties, such as processing, preserving and collecting evidence, obtaining statements from witnesses, victims and suspects; and preparing cases, including identifying suspects, recommending charges, and collecting supporting evidence.  

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

To be considered for this Special Investigator 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

This job is located at:
Division of Occupational Safety and Health 
Bureau of Investigations - Oakland Office
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1901, Oakland, CA 94612.

The incumbent works a minimum of 40 hours a week, over 50% in the field, which may require driving long distances at various hours of the day and night, bending, stooping, walking and carrying investigative equipment and evidence. Incumbent priorities may quickly change due to the need to respond to fatal incidents. Incumbents, at incident scenes, are exposed to loud noises, dust, construction/manufacturing equipment, hazardous environments, bodily fluids, body parts, and deceased victims. While in the office, incumbents are in an air conditioned, high-rise building with elevator access, in a cubicle with artificial lighting. This position requires instate travel, including one to three overnight trips within California, based on assignments, and as determined according to the needs of the Department.  

Special Requirements

A writing sample must be submitted. The sample should be an investigative report and should be no longer than 10 pages in length (if the original writing sample is longer than 10 pages, you may provide the first 10 pages only.)

Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

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 investigative techniques used to independently conduct complex investigations including obtaining recorded interviews, securing and processing evidence to ensure admissibility in Criminal court proceedings.  
• Knowledge of English rules of grammar, reading and comprehension to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.  
• Skilled in attentive listening to elicit relevant information, interviewing and/or interrogation techniques.  
• Ability to comprehend and apply written laws, regulations, applicable case law, policies, and codes related to civil and/or criminal prosecutions.  
• Ability to independently evaluate cases, develop, organize and prioritize short- and long-range goals to complete investigations in a timely manner. 
• Ability to act independently with minimal supervision and quickly adapt to changing priorities.  

Ability to use various software programs, laptop, camera, measuring devices, and office equipment.  

Benefits

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

• Health, Dental & Vision Benefits
• Paid Sick & Vacation
• Retirement (CalPERS)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 401 (k) & 457 plans
• Military Leave
• Longevity Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• ScholarShare/529 College Savings Plan
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement
• Group Legal Services

And many more! Visit for a full list available benefits!

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 required and must be included.
• Other -

  A writing sample must be submitted. The sample should be an investigative report and should be no longer than 10 pages in length (if the original writing sample is longer than 10 pages, you may provide the first 10 pages only.)

  Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment

• Other - Cover Letter

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