Background Investigator

• Job Code and
  
  Title:
  
  1251-Background Investigator
• Fill Type:
  Permanent Exempt

The San Francisco Adult Probation Department values the individuality and diversity of justice involved adults, recognize the unique challenges they face, and invest in their success through services designed to help them permanently exit the criminal justice system. Our reentry and rehabilitative services complement our supervision strategies by providing a unique blend of opportunity and accountability. We extend a continuum of integrated services to address our client’s criminogenic needs and empower them to become productive members of the community.

SFAPD dedicates endless energy toward enhancing public safety, seeking victim restoration and accountability, providing structured and evidence-based supervision, all on the behalf of the Superior Court of San Francisco.

Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, the Internal Affairs & Background Investigator coordinates and conducts complex, highly confidential pre- and post-conditional offer employment background investigations, as well as administrative internal affairs investigations involving sworn and non-sworn personnel within the San Francisco Adult Probation Department (SFAPD). The incumbent ensures strict compliance with relevant California statutes (Government Code §1031, Penal Code §13510) and Commission Regulations (§§1953, 1956–1960), while upholding Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights (PO /POBAR) protections (Gov.

Code §§3300–3313) for sworn personnel and maintaining uncompromising standards of integrity, confidentiality, and due process.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate is a seasoned, highly objective investigative professional with demonstrated expertise in California public safety hiring standards and administrative labor inquiries. They combine rigorous investigative thoroughness for background vetting with executive presence, emotional intelligence, and diplomatic tact for complex internal affairs inquiries. Key core competencies include:

• Regulatory & Statutory Expertise: Hands-on experience applying POST Reg. §1953 background dimensions (integrity, impulse control, stress tolerance, financial responsibility), pre- to post-conditional offer protocols, CA Gov. Code §1031 peace officer minimum standards, and Penal Code §13510 frameworks.
• Investigative Rigor & Data Analysis: Proficiency in non-coercive structured interview methodologies, evidence preservation, and data audit trail analysis (e.g., body-worn camera footage, probation case management logs) to author clean, detailed, and legally defensible investigative reports.
• PO  & Labor Relations Acumen: Flawless execution of administrative interrogations and inquiries while upholding statutory protections under Gov. Code §3300 et seq. (written notifications, representation, recording rules, interrogation time limits) with absolute, unbiased neutrality.
• Emotional Intelligence & Discretion: Exceptional composure and de-escalation skills when interviewing stressed, reluctant, or adversarial subjects, alongside strict confidentiality in managing sensitive personnel records and findings.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

In accordance with Civil Service Commission rules, the representative duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following primary functions:

1. Background Investigations

• Develop and manage secure workflow processes for conducting pre- and post-conditional offer background investigations to assess employment suitability per POST Commission Regulations.
• Review candidate application packages and secure necessary legal releases to access criminal history, employment, credit, driving, and educational records.
• Conduct thorough field-based investigations, including criminal history checks, employer and personal reference interviews, home visits, and site verifications.
• Perform official background updates for current personnel as mandated by CA Government Code §1031 and Penal Code §13510.
• Analyze and document discrepancies or adverse findings, preparing comprehensive written suitability evaluations…