District Attorney Investigator I/II

Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics

T he Colusa County District Attorney's Office is hiring for the position of District Attorney Investigator I/II. The District Attorney Investigator I/II is a flexibly staffed classification within the Colusa County District Attorney’s Office, encompassing both journey and advanced journey-level investigative work. Incumbents perform complex, highly skilled criminal investigations with limited supervision and significant independent judgment. While Investigator I serves as the full journey level, Investigator II functions at a more advanced level, handling sensitive cases, demonstrating increased initiative, and potentially acting in a lead capacity. Advancement from I to II is not automatic and requires meeting minimum qualifications, successful completion of a qualifying assessment, and available budgeted position approval by the District Attorney. Apply now to join a dedicated organization committed to upholding justice and public safety! To learn more about this position, please check out the job description pages HERE .

What's this Job All About?
District Attorney Investigators (I/II) conduct comprehensive criminal investigations to support the prosecution of law violators. They gather, preserve, and analyze evidence; locate and interview witnesses, victims, and suspects; conduct surveillance; and prepare detailed reports for use in court. Investigators work closely with Deputy District Attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other public entities to develop cases, execute search and arrest warrants, and provide courtroom testimony. Duties may also include background checks, victim and witness protection, officer-involved shooting reviews, and participation in grand jury investigations. This role requires a high level of investigative skill, legal knowledge, and collaboration to ensure justice is served.

What are the benefits?

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 50 for Classic Members and 2.5% @ 57 for New Members)
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff
• 457 Deferred Compensation
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (13), and PAID sick leave
• Vacation Parity! - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County (Includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities.) To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.)

Supervision & Examples of Duties

District Attorney Investigator I/II:
Reports to District Attorney Chief Investigator. Incumbents may act in a lead capacity.

Qualifications

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

District Attorney Investigator I:

Experience :

A minimum of two years of journey-level experience as a full-time law enforcement investigator/detective;

or

Any combination of experience and training equivalent to two years of investigative experience. Currently employed or employed within the past twelve months as a Peace Officer within the State of California as defined in Sections 830.1 and 830.2 of the California Penal Code.

Substitution:

One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for the required education on a ratio of one year for the equivalent of 30 college semester units. Additional education may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of one (1) year.

Training:

Equivalent to an Associate in Science Degree in Administration of Justice, Police Science, or a related field

License or Certificate :

Possession of an Intermediate Certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). An Advanced POST Certificate is highly desirable.

Possession of a valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

Special Requirements :

All incumbents must, regardless of prior qualifications, complete the 40-hour District Attorney Investigation and Trial Preparation Course required by POST.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for, and has applied for, citizenship at least one year before application (Government Code 1031 and 1031.5).

Applicants must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including medical and psychological examinations; must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and off-hours as necessary; occasionally travel out of the County and frequently travel throughout the County.

Age: At least eighteen (18) years of age.

District Attorney Investigator II

OPTION 1 :

Experience :

Three (3) years of full-time paid work experience as a detective or investigator in a public law enforcement agency. Currently employed or employed within the past twelve months as a Peace Officer within the State of California as defined in Sections 830.1 and 830.2 of the California Penal Code.

Substitution:

One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for the required education on a ratio of one year for the equivalent of 30 college semester units. Additional education may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of one (1) year.

Training :

Equivalent to an Associate in Science Degree in Administration of Justice, Police Science, or a related field.

OPTION 2 :

Experience:

Five (5) years of full-time, paid experience as a District Attorney Investigator (830.1 PC.) in any California County. Currently employed or employed within the past twelve months as a Peace Officer within the State of California as defined in Sections 830.1 and 830.2 of the California Penal Code.

In addition to the above-listed options, candidates must also possess the following:

License or Certificate :

Possession of a valid Advanced Certificate issued by the State of California, Department of Justice, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Possession of a valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

Special Requirements:

All incumbents must, regardless of prior qualifications, complete the 40-hour District Attorney Investigation and Trial Preparation Course required by POST.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for, and has applied for, citizenship at least one year prior to application (Government Code 1031 and 1031.5).

Applicants must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including medical and psychological examinations; must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and off-hours as necessary; occasionally travel out of the County and frequently travel throughout the County.

Age: At least eighteen (18) years of age.

Other Information:

Under California Penal Code Section 830.1, the District Attorney Investigator I/II classification is defined as a Peace Officer. Therefore, candidates must meet all pre-employment as well as ongoing peace officer status requirements pursuant to federal, state, and local legislation.

Supplemental Information

The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance (Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase.) The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.

Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package. For a summary of benefits, please click here: 2025 Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 8/24/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Colusa

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