DISTRICT ATTORNEY INSPECTOR III

Job Specifications

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes, and participates in the activities of one or more investigation units in the Criminal Investigations Division of the District Attorneys Office engaged in conducting investigations of criminal and/or civil law matters; conducts the more complex or sensitive investigations; acts as a lead worker to District Attorney Inspectors I/II; and does other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is the advanced journey level inspector and is distinguished from the next lower class of District Attorney Inspector II in that it serves as a lead worker to one or more units of subordinate investigators and carries its own caseload of the most complex and serious cases. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Chief District Attorney Inspector in that the latter class has department-wide responsibility for investigative services in the District Attorney's Office.

TYPICAL TASKS

Serves as a lead worker to a staff of D.A. Inspectors investigating felony and misdemeanor crimes; carries a caseload of the most complex and serious cases; locates and interviews persons, takes statements and evaluates evidence; appears in court or at hearings to testify as a witness; files complaints, makes arrests, prepares and serves search warrants and other legal papers, and prepares detailed reports; provides assistance and training to other inspectors on investigations of homicides and other serious cases; accompanies inspectors conducting interviews of victims and witnesses involved in sensitive cases; may conduct administrative investigations of subordinate inspectors and other staff; supervises departmental firearms program, evidence and property management, computer security, and division training; reviews work orders, assigns inspectors, and confers with attorneys/inspectors to develop investigation strategies; reviews investigation reports for content and form; at major crime scenes represents the District Attorneys Office and directs the activities of the assigned inspectors, and acts as a resource to venue police agencies; attends attorney staff meetings to coordinate the activities of the inspectors and attorneys, provide input as required, and provide law enforcement training to the attorney staff; attends meetings with police agencies to coordinate the investigations of police departments with the District Attorneys Office to avoid overlapping efforts; may act as the Chief District Attorney Inspector in his/her absence.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the methods, techniques and procedures used in crime detection, criminal investigations and preservation of evidence.
• Thorough knowledge of sources of information used in locating persons.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws of arrest, search and seizure, service of legal process, and the legal rights of citizens.
• Thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence and court procedures.
• Working knowledge of the Penal Code and penal provisions of the Health and Safety Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, Business and Professions Code, and other State and Federal case law and codes applicable to criminal and civil investigations.
• Some knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement management.
• Some knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training.

Ability to:

• Effectively plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Conduct complex and highly sensitive investigations.
• Train subordinate staff.
• Review and evaluate complex investigative reports, statements, and complaints to determine appropriate action.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies and adopt effective, appropriate courses of action.
• Care for and use firearms.
• Analyze facts and data and draw sound conclusions.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Lift 50 pounds from floor level, such as boxes containing evidence.
• Walk on uneven ground to search for evidence.
• Restrain combative persons.
• Assist in the removal of corpses.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the re quired knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Three years of experience in criminal investigations with a governmental law enforcement agency which would demonstrate possession and application of the knowledge and abilities listed above.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

• License/Certificate Requirement: Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Drivers License. Possess a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and completion of specific P.O.S.T. requirements for investigators prior to date of hire, or possess qualifying out-of-state or Federal experience and obtain a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and completion of specific P.O.S.T. requirements for inves tigators within 18 months of hire.
• Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.
• Special Working Conditions: Possibility of exposure to: bodily injury; heights, such as roofs of buildings; areas containing free silica or asbestos dust; toxic fumes; offensive odors; explosives, electrical hazards; infections which may cause chronic diseases or death; hostile and/or combative persons.
• Other Special Requirements: Available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on an emergency as-needed basis.

Bargaining Unit: DA Inspector Representation Unit
EEOC Job Category: 04
Occupational Grouping: 62
Workers Comp Code: 1073