Public Defender Investigative Assistant I/II/III
County of Ventura
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Investigative Technician I/II
County of Riverside
Dept. of Public Social Services
Location
Riverside, California, 92502-1569
Salary
$24.73 - $40.91
per hour
Type
Full Time
More Maintenance & Trades jobs →Closes
February 13, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves supporting investigations into potential welfare fraud by reviewing case files, conducting home visits, interviewing people, and preparing reports to help prevent fraud in public assistance programs.
It's a good fit for someone with experience in social services eligibility work who is detail-oriented, comfortable with fieldwork, and skilled in communication and basic computer tasks.
Entry-level candidates can start at Technician I and advance to II with experience.
Key Requirements
- Experience performing eligibility determinations for self-sufficiency programs like CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Child Care
- Proficiency working within the CalSAWS system
- Ability to conduct home visits and field investigations
- Strong skills in interviewing, customer service, writing reports, and computer use
- Knowledge of case auditing, overpayment recovery, and interpreting court records (preferred for competitiveness)
- Full-time in-office attendance required
- Bilingual ability preferred but not required
Full Job Description
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The County of Riverside’s Department of Public Social Services is seeking to fill an Investigative Technician I/II position assigned to the Fraud Early Detection Unit in Moreno Valley.
The Investigative Technician will perform a variety of tasks, including supporting Welfare Fraud Investigators; examining, documenting, and verifying eligibility case files; conducting field visits; and gathering, organizing, and analyzing both official and unofficial documents relevant to cases. Responsibilities also include reviewing case files, conducting home visits, and collecting and analyzing documentation related to investigations. The position conducts interviews for the purpose of welfare fraud prevention and explains program fraud-prevention procedures. Additional duties include conducting preliminary field investigations related to early welfare fraud detection and preparing written reports. Strong computer, interviewing, customer-service, and writing skills are essential.
Please be advised that this position necessitates conducting home visits as part of fieldwork duties and requires full time in office attendance.
Eligibility or caseworker experience performing eligibility for self-sufficiency programs such as CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Child Care, as well as experience working within CalSAWS, is required. The most competitive candidates will possess advanced knowledge of state reports, eligibility case management, case auditing experience, collections/recovery of overpayments and over-issuances for one or more self-sufficiency programs, and the ability to interpret court records. Candidates with experience in an eligibility social services casework unit within a Fraud Detection or Quality Assurance Unit are highly competitive and strongly encouraged to apply. Bilingual ability is preferred but not required.
The Investigative Technician will perform a variety of tasks, including supporting Welfare Fraud Investigators; examining, documenting, and verifying eligibility case files; conducting field visits; and gathering, organizing, and analyzing both official and unofficial documents relevant to cases. Responsibilities also include reviewing case files, conducting home visits, and collecting and analyzing documentation related to investigations. The position conducts interviews for the purpose of welfare fraud prevention and explains program fraud-prevention procedures. Additional duties include conducting preliminary field investigations related to early welfare fraud detection and preparing written reports. Strong computer, interviewing, customer-service, and writing skills are essential.
Please be advised that this position necessitates conducting home visits as part of fieldwork duties and requires full time in office attendance.
Eligibility or caseworker experience performing eligibility for self-sufficiency programs such as CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Child Care, as well as experience working within CalSAWS, is required. The most competitive candidates will possess advanced knowledge of state reports, eligibility case management, case auditing experience, collections/recovery of overpayments and over-issuances for one or more self-sufficiency programs, and the ability to interpret court records. Candidates with experience in an eligibility social services casework unit within a Fraud Detection or Quality Assurance Unit are highly competitive and strongly encouraged to apply. Bilingual ability is preferred but not required.
The Investigative Technician I is the entry level classification in the series.
Under immediate supervision, positions assigned to the I level serve in a training capacity and are either assigned to the Department of Child Support Services, the Investigative Branch of the Department of Public Social Services, the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigations or the Office of the Public Defender Bureau of Investigation.
However, as experience is gained, incumbents are expected to progress to the Investigative Technician II level with satisfactory performance upon meeting the typical qualifications for the class.
The level at which this position is filled is based on the candidates qualifications and at the departments discretion.
Salary Range:
Investigative Technician I - $24.7295 - $36.8211
Investigative Technician II - $27.4808 - $40.9077
Meet the Team!
The County of Riverside's Department of Public Social Services is comprised of employees who work collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community.
Requirements
• Provides support to Investigators that conduct investigations of, economic, hazardous materials and environmental crimes, bad check crimes, insurance fraud, homicide, and child abduction crimes, spousal, sexual and elderly abuse; interviews complainants, witnesses and defendants to collect and document information and record official statements in support of the investigation bureau; investigative dispatching, and prepares routine investigative reports.
• Reviews case files, and extracts case file information useful to the investigation.
• Performs field service of civil and criminal legal process such as subpoenas, summons, and complaints; makes positive identification of person served, and time and location of services; assists in serving search warrants.
• Conducts civil annual Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS)/conservatorship reviews and juvenile placement interviews.
• Collects, organizes and analyzes official and unofficial documents related to the assigned cases such as bank records, medical and dental records, title documents, court documents, articles of incorporation, law enforcement records and computer printouts.
• Identifies and locates witnesses, victims, suspects and persons by using information obtained through directories, utility records, and other available sources, as well as through inquiries of public or private agencies, employers, families, neighbors, or other individuals.
• Files cases in court; tracks and monitors court proceedings; examines legal papers to verify authority, procedures and time limitations.
• Explains District Attorney, Public Defender, Department of Child Services, or Department of Public Social Services Investigation policies and procedures.
• Prepares and maintains statistical and operational log, records and reports; maintains computerized databases related to the assigned investigative activities.
• Prepares photo identification line-ups; transports, or assists in transporting witnesses, suspects and victims.
• Sends and receives teletype printouts; operates radio, mobile telephone and paging equipment; maintains continuous contact with investigative personnel in the field in order to monitor location and exchange information.
• Acts as central receptionist for the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigations; receives, records and refers messages.
• Monitors security alarms located in assigned County facilities; issues and maintains law enforcement equipment used by investigative personnel.
• May photograph physical evidence and prepare crime scene diagrams for use by attorneys in court presentations; may testify in court as to investigative findings.
• May travel out of state or out of the country; may participate in surveillance and undercover investigations; may load, transport and store evidence.
• Conducts interviews for the purpose of welfare fraud prevention and explains program fraud prevention requirements and reviews case files.
• Conducts preliminary field investigations with regard to early welfare fraud detection. Collects and documents information and statements. Prepares written reports.
• Reviews case files, and extracts case file information useful to the investigation.
• Performs field service of civil and criminal legal process such as subpoenas, summons, and complaints; makes positive identification of person served, and time and location of services; assists in serving search warrants.
• Conducts civil annual Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS)/conservatorship reviews and juvenile placement interviews.
• Collects, organizes and analyzes official and unofficial documents related to the assigned cases such as bank records, medical and dental records, title documents, court documents, articles of incorporation, law enforcement records and computer printouts.
• Identifies and locates witnesses, victims, suspects and persons by using information obtained through directories, utility records, and other available sources, as well as through inquiries of public or private agencies, employers, families, neighbors, or other individuals.
• Files cases in court; tracks and monitors court proceedings; examines legal papers to verify authority, procedures and time limitations.
• Explains District Attorney, Public Defender, Department of Child Services, or Department of Public Social Services Investigation policies and procedures.
• Prepares and maintains statistical and operational log, records and reports; maintains computerized databases related to the assigned investigative activities.
• Prepares photo identification line-ups; transports, or assists in transporting witnesses, suspects and victims.
• Sends and receives teletype printouts; operates radio, mobile telephone and paging equipment; maintains continuous contact with investigative personnel in the field in order to monitor location and exchange information.
• Acts as central receptionist for the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigations; receives, records and refers messages.
• Monitors security alarms located in assigned County facilities; issues and maintains law enforcement equipment used by investigative personnel.
• May photograph physical evidence and prepare crime scene diagrams for use by attorneys in court presentations; may testify in court as to investigative findings.
• May travel out of state or out of the country; may participate in surveillance and undercover investigations; may load, transport and store evidence.
• Conducts interviews for the purpose of welfare fraud prevention and explains program fraud prevention requirements and reviews case files.
• Conducts preliminary field investigations with regard to early welfare fraud detection. Collects and documents information and statements. Prepares written reports.
Qualifications
Investigative Technician I - $24.7295 - $36.8211
OPTION I
Experience: One year of experience as an Investigative Technician Trainee.
OPTION II
Experience: Two years of sworn or non-sworn experience conducting field investigations or field investigative support functions within a public/private agency, which included the following duties: locating and interviewing witnesses, suspects, clients, and/or other parties involved with investigations; researching and obtaining photographs; researching, locating, obtaining, and verifying information and evidence for presentation in court; analyzing, evaluating, and assembling evidence for presentation in court, writing criminal and/or civil reports, and other forms of evidence and/or information.
OPTION III
Experience: Two years of full time experience as an Eligibility Technician II or comparable position in a Department of Public Social Services in which the primary area of responsibility included either: the auditing of case files and follow-up field work verifications, the researching of tax, property and related information used to determine potential welfare fraud cases; the gathering of information to be used in obtaining civil action against clients and providing information and evidence to be used in civil and criminal prosecutions; or experience in which the primary duties of the job involved in-depth interviewing and securing of information from individuals in order to determine, on the basis of laws and regulations, the proper case action.
Education Substitution: Completion of 12 semester or 18 quarter units from a recognized college with major coursework in administration of justice, criminal justice, criminology, law enforcement or a closely-related field may substitute for one year of experience for Options II and III.
Investigative Technician II - $27.4808 - $40.9077
OPTION I
Experience: One year of experience as an Investigative Technician Trainee.
OPTION II
Experience: Two years of sworn or non-sworn experience conducting field investigations or field investigative support functions within a public/private agency, which included the following duties: locating and interviewing witnesses, suspects, clients, and/or other parties involved with investigations; researching and obtaining photographs; researching, locating, obtaining, and verifying information and evidence for presentation in court; analyzing, evaluating, and assembling evidence for presentation in court, writing criminal and/or civil reports, and other forms of evidence and/or information.
OPTION III
Experience: Two years of full time experience as an Eligibility Technician II or comparable position in a Department of Public Social Services in which the primary area of responsibility included either: the auditing of case files and follow-up field work verifications, the researching of tax, property and related information used to determine potential welfare fraud cases; the gathering of information to be used in obtaining civil action against clients and providing information and evidence to be used in civil and criminal prosecutions; or experience in which the primary duties of the job involved in-depth interviewing and securing of information from individuals in order to determine, on the basis of laws and regulations, the proper case action.
Education Substitution: Completion of 12 semester or 18 quarter units from a recognized college with major coursework in administration of justice, criminal justice, criminology, law enforcement or a closely-related field may substitute for one year of experience for Options II and III.
Investigative Technician II - $27.4808 - $40.9077
OPTION I
Experience: One year of experience as an Investigative Technician I in the County of Riverside or a comparable position in the Department of Public Social Services, Department of Child Support Services, Public Defender or District Attorney's Office.
OPTION II
Experience: Three years of sworn or non-sworn experience conducting field investigations or field investigative support functions within a public/private agency, which included the following duties: locating and interviewing witnesses, suspects, clients, and/or other parties involved with investigations; researching and obtaining photographs; researching, locating, obtaining, and verifying information and evidence for presentation in court; analyzing, evaluating, and assembling evidence for presentation in court, writing criminal and/or civil reports, and other forms of evidence and/or information. (Completion of 12 semester or 18 quarter units from a recognized college with major coursework in administration of justice, criminal justice, criminology, law enforcement or a closely-related field may substitute for one year of the required experience for Option II only.)
OPTION III
Experience: Two years of full time experience as an Eligibility Technician III or comparable position in a Department of Public Social Services in which the primary area of responsibility included either: the auditing of case files and follow-up field work verifications, the researching of tax, property and related information used to determine potential welfare fraud cases; the gathering of information to be used in obtaining civil action against clients and providing information and evidence to be used in civil and criminal prosecutions; or experience in which the primary duties of the job involved in-depth interviewing and securing of information from individuals in order to determine, on the basis of laws and regulations, the proper case action.
Knowledge of: Basic functions of a law enforcement agency; Proper English usage and grammar; a variety of interviewing techniques; research methods and techniques; Basic principles of investigation and basic investigative techniques; Functions, laws, rules, and procedures of the Department of Public Social Services, Department of Child Support Services, District Attorney's Office or the Office of the Public Defender; law enforcement investigative techniques; Principles of identification; preservation, and presentation of evidence; and the rules of evidence and of court procedures.
Ability to: Learn, understand, interpret and apply basic laws, rules and regulations related to functions of the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation, Public Defender Bureau of Investigation, Department of Child Support Services or Department of Public Social Services; Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Conduct routine support and/or preliminary investigations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; operate a variety of motor vehicles; and maintain records and files related to the assigned duties; Read, analyze, interpret and understand civil and criminal court documents including civil proceedings, criminal complaints, pleadings, probation reports, prior conviction records, arrest and search warrants, and grand jury documents; Apply basic laws, rules and regulations related to the assigned investigative area; perform the full range of routine, non-sworn investigative duties; interview members of the public, suspects, witnesses and victims of crimes to extract and document pertinent information; prepare clear and concise reports.
OTHER REQUIRMENTS
License and Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Backgrounds: Must be able to pass an extensive background check and Preliminary Investigative questionnaire (PIQ) as part of the interviewing and hiring process.
Incumbents will be required to successfully complete a POST approved Penal Code 832 (Arrest and Firearms) course within one year following employment for some positions in this class.
Depending on the unit assigned, incumbents must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., and drive up to 500 miles during a shift.
Additional Information
For questions regarding this recruitment
Contact Danilo Lozano at DaLozano@rivco.org or 951-955-1605. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.
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