BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR 1764 (Revised 07/01/26)

Job Description

ANNUAL SALARY

$86,443 to $119,684; $86,484 to $126,449; $97,864 to $143,090

NOTES :

Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer .
Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade position.

DUTIES

A Background Investigator is a civilian employee who conducts and compiles personal and professional background investigations for public safety candidates by interviewing employers, co-workers, neighbors, law enforcement officials, military personnel, members of the candidate's family, and personal references; prepares reports on findings; makes recommendations as to background findings; and performs other related duties. Background Investigators in the higher pay grades may supervise or act as a head worker to staff involved in the above duties.
Five years of full-time paid experience within the last ten years as a California peace officer that includes experience in background investigations for employment, internal affairs investigations, or in-depth investigations of criminal matters; or
A valid Private Investigator's license issued by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services; or
900 cumulative hours of paid experience within the last five years conducting background investigations for public safety positions while employed with the City of Los Angeles.

PROCESS NOTES

As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required. Applicants will be disqualified and candidates will not be eligible for hire if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI or DWI in any state or jurisdiction. Notice of disqualification or ineligibility for hire may be issued by the City of Los Angeles at any time before a final job offer is extended.
For Internal Use Only : Licensing verification will occur at the time of filing.
Applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a copy of their valid Private Investigator's license at the time of filing. The copy of the license must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the license is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the license at the time of filing by not attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination and their application will not be processed.
Upon appointment, Background Investigators employed by the Personnel Department will be required to provide an automobile, properly insured, for use in City service. Mileage will be paid in accordance with established rates.
Some initial appointments are anticipated to be made on a part-time basis .
Work location is Downtown Los Angeles. However, Background Investigators in the course of performing field investigations will be required to drive to areas outside of downtown Los Angeles.
Prior to appointment, a thorough and comprehensive Background Investigation will be conducted.

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION

In accordance with Charter Section 1010 (b) and Civil Service Rule 5.31, selective certification will be used for some positions that require special skills and/or training. For such positions, only applicants who have successfully completed the following course within the last five (5) years at the time of filing may be considered.

California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Background Investigation Course.

Applicants must attach a copy of the certificate of course completion to the on-line application at the time of filing. The certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the certificate. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by not attaching it to the online application will not be considered for this part of selective certification.
Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity .

NOTE :

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. For administrative purposes, filing may close periodically and reopen the following day.
Examination Weight: Essay - Advisory
Interview - 100%

The examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Judgment and Decision Making; Attention to Detail; Self-Management; Fact Finding; Interpersonal Skills; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: objective symptoms of use of alcohol and commonly used controlled substances sufficient to recognize when a person may be under the influence; interviewing techniques sufficient to obtaining necessary background information; investigative techniques and concepts of background investigations to collect accurate and complete information; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Background Investigator.

Prior to the interview, applicants will be required to prepare some written material related to the duties and responsibilities of a Background Investigator. This essay material will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for review and consideration, which may include discussion, in the overall evaluation of th