Job Posting: Chief

Department of Consumer Affairs

JC-501929
-
Chief
C. E. A.

$10,349.00 - $21,370.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 1/21/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Director/Chief Deputy Director, the Chief of the Division of Investigation (DOI) must perform the full range of peace officer duties, as specified in section 830.3 of the Penal Code and provides centralize investigative and law enforcement services for some regulatory boards and bureaus within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Chief of DOI has overall responsibility for the management of DOI’s resources and staff and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of DOI’s regulatory requirements for statewide programs within DOI.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-501929
Position #(s):
612-100-7500-001
Working Title:
Chief
Classification:
C. E. A.
$10,349.00 - $21,370.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time
Facility:
Division of Investigation

Department Information

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is a unique and dynamic department made up of 36 different boards, bureaus, a commission, and a program that license and regulate more than 3.4 million licensees in more than 280 license types including certificates, registrations, and permits. DCA provides support services, oversight, and innovative solutions to boards and bureaus that regulate California professionals and vocations so that through this partnership all Californians are informed, empowered, and protected.
Department Website: www.dca.ca.gov

Special Requirements

The Chief is subject to Title 11, Section 1950 of California Code of Regulations (CCR), Peace Officer Selection Requirements.

Conflict of Interest
This position is subject to Title 16, section 3830 of the California Code of Regulations, the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Conflict of Interest Regulations. The incumbent is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) within 30 days of assuming office, annually by April 1st, and within 30 days of leaving office.

Driver's License
The Chief must have a valid California Driver’s License and a good driving record, and be able to operate a motor vehicle safely.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 1/21/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Consumer Affairs
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Examination Services Unit, Attn: Layla Patel JC# 501929
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-321
Sacramento, CA 95834

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Consumer Affairs
Office of Human Resources
Examination Services Unit, Attn: Layla Patel JC# 501929
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-321
Sacramento, CA 95834
Drop off location may be non-operational on weekends and holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Applicants who fail to submit or complete the SOQ as instructed will be eliminated from the examination process. Please see notes under the "Examination Information" section below for the SOQ requirements.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

Minimum Qualifications

While eligibility to take a CEA examination is not restricted to persons with current permanent status in the civil service, the basis of a person’s CEA eligibility impacts their employment rights when and if their CEA position is terminated:

• Employees who at the time of the CEA appointment were not employed by the state but who had previously worked for the state and had gained permanent civil service status have reinstatement rights under Article 5 (commencing with section 19140) of the Government Code, as specified in section 19889.4.
• Employees whose eligibility was based upon a legislative or nonelected exempt executive branch position are able to compete in their appointing power’s promotional examinations for which they meet the minimum qualifications of the class to which they seek appointment. These employees may request a deferred examination, as specified in Government Code section 18993.
• Employees who at the time of their appointment to a CEA were from outside state civil service have the right to take a deferred examination for any open eligible list in existence at the time of the termination of the CEA for which they meet the minimum qualifications of the class to which the appointment is sought, as specified in Government Code section 19889.4.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

1. Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; personnel management techniques; the Department’s or Agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program objectives; and a manager’s role in EEO.

2. Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of multi-disciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organizational procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide variety of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public and the Legislative and Executive Branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the Department’s or Agency’s EEO objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

These factors are designed to identify job requirements in specific areas. Please address your experience, knowledge and ability in the following areas and provide specific examples.

1. Policy and Regulatory Development and Implementation – Experience developing and implementing investigative and enforcement related state-wide policies and procedures regarding investigations, enforcement, compliance, and public safety issues.

2. Enforcement Program Management – Ability to analyze complex investigative and enforcement program issues or problems. Applying criminal and administrative investigations techniques and disciplinary and criminal processes. Administering the investigative and enforcement activities of a regulatory agency in accordance with existing laws, rules, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

3. Administrative Oversight – Skill in managing a large state-wide enforcement program with multiple disciplines, including planning, organizing, and directing sensitive or complex investigative and enforcement-related program operations. Setting and achieving operational goals through strategic planning, leadership, supervision, training and management accountability, including improving performance metrics such as increased productivity and/or decreased case aging (without compromising quality) that is measurable and verifiable.

4. Communication – Proficiency in presenting program and policy issues for diverse audiences such as legislators, local government representatives, executive management, program staff, external stakeholders, the public, licensees, and professional groups. Working in collaborative partnerships with all levels of management, state and local government agencies, stakeholders, licensees, and the public. Representing a department or similar governing bodies in meetings with state, federal, or local government and other forums.

5. Organizational Awareness – Ability to work collaboratively in a complex regulatory body, demonstrating key leadership traits and exhibiting departmental values and mission when working with client programs or law enforcement liaisons to promote and enhance the department’s agenda. Analyzing complex regulatory program matters including critical current and emerging issues, providing recommendations and consultative services and proposing specific solutions.

Examination Information

The examination process will consist of a thorough evaluation of the applicant’s Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Applications without the SOQ will be eliminated from the examination.

An SOQ is a narrative description of how an applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities meet the qualifications for this position. Each applicant must complete and submit their SOQ responding to all factors listed in the Desirable Qualifications section.

When completing the SOQ, applicants must follow these guidelines listed below. An SOQ that does not conform to these guidelines may be given a disqualifying score.

• Responses must be typed and limited to three (3) pages using no smaller than 12-point font size.
• Answer each numbered item separately and indicate the corresponding item number for each response. Be specific with your responses and provide specific examples. Note: there may be multiple parts to each factor.
• Indicate your total years of experience and list the official or civil service classification performing each of the activities.
• When applicable, include the number of years and types of external contacts (e.g., Legislature, control agencies, and other local, state and federal government agencies, etc.) and describe the level, extent, and nature of those contacts.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. Detailed benefit information including health, dental, vision, retirement, etc. can be found at

https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx

.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: www.dca.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Layla Patel
(916) 574-8370
Layla.Patel@dca.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 574-8280
EEO@dca.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Application Filing Information

State Applications (Std. 678) and Statement of Qualifications must be received or postmarked by the final filing date as listed in this bulletin. Application packages postmarked, personally delivered, or received via interagency mail after the final filing date will not be accepted for any reason. Do not submit application packages to the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Hardcopy application packages must have an original signature. Faxed application packages will not be accepted for any reason. Questions regarding this examination may be directed to: Layla Patel at (916) 574-8370 or via email to Layla.Patel@dca.ca.gov.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job