What are the responsibilities and job description for the SPECIAL AGENT, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE position at Department of Justice?
Under the direction of the Special Agent Supervisor, the Special Agent (SA) conducts criminal, civil, and special investigations related to the Foreign Prosecution Law Enforcement Unit. The SA will utilize bilingual skills to conduct interviews in Spanish, translate written and recorded statements, and respond to public inquiries and media requests in Spanish.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Travel throughout the state and foreign countries will be required. Incumbent must be able to fluently read, write and communicate in the Spanish language.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- SPECIAL AGENT, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Department Information
- This position is located in the Division of Law Enforcement, Bureau of Investigation, Foreign Prosecution and Law Enforcement Unit (FPLEU), San Diego Regional Office.
- For more information about the Special Agent position please visit the Attorney General’s website at Become a DOJ Special Agent.
- For more information about the Department please visit the Attorney General’s website. Attorney General’s website.
Education Incentive
Agents with an Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, or Intermediate POST certificate will receive a 2.5% salary differential of the basepay. Agents with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Advance POST certificate will receive a 5% salary differential of the base pay,as per Pay Differential 244.
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) fluency in the Spanish language. If the State of California does not have a current record documenting your fluency in this language, you will be required to successfully pass an approved language fluency test prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) Psychological Evaluation clearance prior to being hired.
- Candidates must have a current California POST Basic which meets Penal Codes 830.1, 830.2, 830.3 or Specialized Certificate or equivalent in order to be considered.
- Candidates who are interested in the Special Agent position must meet the minimum qualifications in order to be considered. The minimum qualifications for the Special Agent classification can be found at: Special Agent, Department of Justice Series.
- Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications and are not in the process of obtaining list eligibility will not be considered.
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications must have list, reinstatement or lateral transfer eligibility.
- List eligibility: Candidates who are not current state peace officers with lateral transfer eligibility and who do not have reinstatement rights to the Special Agent classification must obtain list eligibility prior to appointment. This will apply to most local and out-of-state peace officers. If you need to take the exam, please see the “Exam Information” section below.
- Reinstatement: Former Department of Justice Special Agents may have permissive or mandatory reinstatement rights to the classification.
- Lateral transfer: Candidates who are currently employed by the State of California may be eligible to laterally transfer to the Special Agent classification. Transfer eligibility depends upon the applicant’s current classification.
In order to apply for a Special Agent position with the Department of Justice, Division of Law Enforcement, interested individuals with no prior state service must first take the Special Agent Exam.
More information regarding the Special Agent Exam can be found on the Attorney General’s website .
Out-of-State Candidates
Out-of-state peace officers who are interested in the Special Agent classification, including federal peace officers, will have to obtain a valid California POST Basic Certificate or a Basic Course Waiver. Information regarding the Basic Course Waiver can be found at the California POST website: Basic Course Waiver Process. Candidates who have, or will need, a Basic Course Waiver must still take the Special Agent Exam to get on the Special Agent List. Candidates who are in the process of obtaining a Basic Course Waiver may take the Special Agent Exam and apply for vacant positions before the waiver is granted, but no job offers will be extended until a valid California POST Basic Course Waiver or Basic Certificate is obtained.
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: 5/5/2025Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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.
Desirable Qualifications
Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong analytical skills; good research skills; effective time-management and organizational skills. Investigative experience with willingness to conduct high-volume, short-term field investigations and complex, long-term investigations. Ability to effectively communicate and demonstrate good judgment when interacting with the public and professional staff; work well under pressure and meet deadlines; possess integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and good attendance. Ability to work both independently and as a team member; carry out prescribed tasks with minimal supervision; be a self-starter, flexible, and have a positive attitude. Experience working in multi-jurisdictional enforcement efforts; covert and specialized surveillance; collection and analysis of evidence, and establishing close working relationships with all levels of law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Flexibility and willingness to work long and unusual hours in high-crime areas of the state, and the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to requests for assistance with high-profile and/or violent crime events.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Violetta Santillano
(916) 210-6410
BIPersonnel@doj.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) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.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.
Additional Information on Application Filing
Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date.
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.
