Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

This Special Investigator position is an investigative field position that works out of the employee’s permanent home office. This position covers the geographic region in Northern California from San Joaquin County to the Oregon border.  The employee only reports to the office at CDFA’s Sacramento HQ for supplies, sending/receiving mail, etc.

Under the supervision of the Supervising Special Investigator II, the Special Investigator will independently conduct investigations dedicated to statewide food borne illness prevention associated with illegal unlicensed domestic manufacturing and distribution of dairy products, and importation of illicit foreign products into California that present suspected public health risks through pathogenic contamination.       

•Traveling by car throughout Northern California, initiate and respond to public and governmental complaints of suspected food safety violations of the law within the purview of the Branch

• Independently plan, organize and conduct complex food safety investigations that are criminal, civil, and administrative in scope

• Determine type of case and develop investigation plans, conduct, and complete investigations

• Determine type of case and develop investigation plans, conduct, and complete investigations

• Develop and gather physical, documentary, and testimonial evidence and coordinate its analysis in preparation for submission of findings for prosecution

• Obtain and facilitate with allied authorities the execution of search warrants to secure relevant evidence as specified in Sections PC 1523 and PC 1530 during the course of investigations and within the scope of employment

• File prepared investigative cases with proper criminal, civil, or administrative jurisdictional authorities

• Foster partnerships with local allied law enforcement agencies to ensure peace officer assistance and regional intelligence related to illicit activities and officer safety

• Participate in inter-agency law enforcement task force operations linked to food safety enforcement

• Provide specialized training to local environmental, public health and law enforcement agencies on enforcement matters of mutual concern

• Initiate outreach opportunities to dairy industry leadership and industry groups related to dairy food safety and matters of mutual interest

• Perform other job-related duties as requested by a supervisor

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The incumbent’s residential headquarters office is equipped with a laptop computer, various software programs including e-mail, printer, paper shredder, evidence refrigerator, and other standard office essentials. 

The incumbent’s field activity equipment consists of a state vehicle, cellular telephone, digital recorder, and optical enhancement equipment.

Investigative activities involving non-licensed manufacturers, product street peddlers, swap meet dealers, retail stores, and wholesale distribution centers will include outdoor, indoor, rural and urban environments, in addition to uncooperative witnesses and potentially hostile suspects.

Typically, outdoor investigative activities will expose the incumbent to seasonal environmental extremes in temperature, sun, wind, rain, high noise levels, rural, urban and highway driving hazards, movement of large farm animals, heavy farming equipment and less than cooperative farm operators and workers.

Typically, indoor manufacturing plant and cargo terminal investigative activities will expose the incumbent to hazards associated with dramatic short-term temperature extremes, high noise levels in close confines with moving machinery, pressurized steam lines, and warehouse-type moving vehicles.

The incumbent must follow California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

By submitting this Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), you are certifying that you have read and understood the above instructions and that all information provided in the SOQ is true to the best of your knowledge. Your SOQ should contain your name on the top right, be typed in size 11 Arial font, should be no longer than one page in length, and answer the following questions.

1. Describe your skills and experience conducting investigations and writing investigative reports (e.g. arrest reports, probably cause declarations, etc.).

2. Describe how you have been able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and key allied agencies (e.g., government entities, industry, general public, etc.) utilizing excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

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

Hard Copy Applications:

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 6/2024 version.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the “Special Requirements” section.

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