Job Posting: Principal Investigator

California State Auditor's Office

JC-503489
-
Principal Investigator
C. E. A.

$12,159.00 - $15,009.00 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: 1/22/2026

Job Description and Duties

What will you do?

As the Principal Investigator, you will implement California’s Whistleblower Protection Act (Whistleblower Act), a mission critical program of the office, and oversee the operation of the Investigations Division. Specifically, you will serve an important role by supervising teams of investigators responsible for determining whether allegations of improper governmental activities are true and following up to ensure state agencies are held accountable. As the Principal Investigator, you will serve as a member of the senior management team and participate in the development of organizational philosophy and the office’s strategic goals, and recommend modifications to improve office policy. Specifically you will:

  • Direct the Investigations Division composed of approximately 15 staff including Fraud Investigators and Special Investigators.
  • Manage staff resources and job assignments to ensure adequate coverage for conducting investigations and responding to thousands of Whistleblower complaints each year.
  • Formulate policies and procedures regarding the division’s investigative work including application of investigative methodologies, determining which complaints to investigate, when improper activities are considered substantiated, and when to terminate investigations.
  • Approve case management decisions as well as final disposition of every whistleblower complaint, prior to review by the Chief Deputy State Auditor and State Auditor.
  • Ensure that all investigations are conducted in accordance with the Investigations Division’s Quality Standards.
  • Implement and monitor relevant performance metrics to ensure that investigations are conducted in an effective and efficient manner.
  • Develop and implement an outreach strategy for informing stakeholders, including legislative members and staff, about the importance of the Whistleblower Act. In addition, solicit periodic feedback from departments and other stakeholders on the effectiveness and efficiency of investigations.
  • Participate as a member of the senior management team in the development of the office’s strategic plans and in determining the policies and procedures for the organization.
  • Represent the office and act on behalf of the State Auditor with the Legislature and state and federal agencies regarding the Whistleblower Act.

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

    Working Conditions

    • This position is eligible for participation in the office’s hybrid telework program. Work at the alternate work location must be conducted in a space that is ergonomically sound, private, distraction-free, and has safe working conditions to be eligible to telework.
    • Work performed in the office is in an air-conditioned high-rise building with elevator access and both natural and artificial lighting.
    • Work requires sitting for an extended period of time using a personal computer and the use of standard office equipment, such as phones, copiers or scanners.
    • Work may require periodic non-standard work hours and work during weekends to meet workload needs and demands.
    • Work may require infrequent travel throughout the State of California to include overnight, weekends or several days at a time.
    Visa Sponsorship

    This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employement. The California State Auditor's Office is not an E-Verify employer.

    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-503489
    Position #(s):
    339-100-7500-900
    Working Title:
    Principal Investigator
    Classification:
    C. E. A.
    $12,159.00 - $15,009.00 B
    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

    Department Information

    We are the independent oversight arm of the California State Legislature and the custodians of California’s Whistleblower Hotline. Our mission is to provide objective evaluations and effective solutions that enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of California government for the people it serves. We are trusted to produce unbiased, nonpartisan reports that provide recommendations to solve some of our state’s toughest problems.


    At the California State Auditor’s Office, we believe that our mission to enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of government also improves the lives of Californians. The many people helping us achieve this mission are the backbone and heart of our organization. We aspire to create a workplace that celebrates their incredible contributions and talents, and embraces their unique perspectives, identities, and values. We seek to develop an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and inspired in their commitment to public service.

    Department Website: http://www.auditor.ca.gov/

    Special Requirements

    Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment.

    State Auditor’s Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining.

    Temporary Salary Reduction: Due to significant budget shortfalls, beginning September 1, 2025, the office will participate in the Personal Leave Program (PLP) which reduces employee salaries in exchange for accrued leave hours. The salary reduction for this position is three percent, while accruing five PLP hours per month.

    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: 1/22/2026

    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:

    California State Auditor's Office
    N/A
    Attn: Human Resources
    621 Capitol Mall, Ste. 1200
    Sacramento, CA 95814

    Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

    California State Auditor's Office
    N/A
    Human Resources
    621 Capitol Mall, Ste. 1200
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    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 required and must be included.
    • Statement of Qualifications - Is required and must be submitted. See Examination Information section below.
    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.

    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:

    • 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; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
    • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, 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 range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity 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:

    Who are you?

    1. You have experience conducting confidential workplace investigations using administrative investigative techniques and methods.
    2. You have extensive experience with matters involving public employee discipline, public contracting, and/or ethical laws, rules and principles applicable to public officials.
    3. You have exceptional project management skills including experience simultaneously managing multiple and complex investigations related to employee misconduct or a state agency’s improper conduct.
    4. You have experience leading and managing teams while demonstrating the ability to communicate a clear vision, set and monitor goals and expectations, foster a collaborative work environment, and encourage leadership and initiative.
    5. You have knowledge of the California State Auditor’s mission, programs and policies including the Whistleblower Act, State laws relating to improper governmental activities and general laws and regulations related to State fiscal, personnel, and administrative practices.
    6. You have demonstrated experience exercising a high degree of integrity and confidentiality for sensitive issues and using sound judgment in decision making.

    Why should you join us?

    • You want to make a difference for Californians and future generations, and make sure California government is effectively serving its people.

    • You have exceptional investigation and leadership skills along with knowledge of and experience applying State laws and regulations related to fiscal, personnel, and administrative practices.

    • You want to work in a professional environment and lead teams of intelligent colleagues doing meaningful work.

    • You desire a monthly salary range of $12,159- $15,009.

    Examination Information

    The Principal Investigator is a Career Executive Assignment (CEA) position. Submission of the application package, including the Statement of Qualifications, is considered to be the CEA examination. Failure to submit the required documentation may result in disqualification from the selection process. The examination process will consist of an evaluation panel scoring each candidate's SOQ based on the competitive nature of each candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.

    Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to the three questions below using specific examples of your education, training and experience. The SOQ must restate the question, be numbered in order, typed and no longer than three pages in length using 11 or 12 point font. Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.

     

    We require that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.

     

    1.     Describe your knowledge and experience conducting confidential workplace investigations including your experience and ability to implement and monitor relevant performance metrics to ensure that investigations are conducted in an effective and efficient manner.

    2.     Describe your project management and leadership abilities including techniques for prioritizing competing tasks and motivating employees to do their best work.

    3.  Describe your knowledge of the California Whistleblower Act, and State laws relating to improper governmental activities and general laws and regulations related to State fiscal, personnel, or public contracting practices that are necessary for effective program implementation.

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

    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