The County of San Diego's Office of Ethics and Compliance invites qualified individuals to apply for Ethics and Compliance Fraud and Labor Contracts Investigator
Actual Class Title: Ethics and Compliance Investigator
This position may offer a mix of in office and teleworking after an initial period. Interviews will take place in September 2026, and job offers for selected candidates will be made after interviews are complete.
The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment.
Future Salary Increases
June 2027 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3.50% Across-the- Board +1.49% Market Adjustment)
The County of San Diego’s Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is dedicated to supporting the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, accountability, and compliance and helping ensure that County employees and customers are treated fairly by:
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Serving as a trusted County resource for employees, departments, contractors, and members of the public in addressing ethical and compliance matters.
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Implementing and supporting the County’s Code of Ethics and developing policies, programs, guidance, and trainings that promote ethical conduct and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and County policies.
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Receiving, reviewing, and investigating complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation, fraud, waste, abuse, conflicts of interest, privacy or information security concerns, policy violations, and other improper County government activity.
Office of Ethics and Compliance Investigators conduct impartial, thorough, and timely investigations into alleged violations of County policies, ethical standards, and applicable laws and regulations. These positions are responsible for reviewing and assessing complaints, developing investigative plans, gathering and analyzing documentary and electronic evidence, conducting investigative interviews, evaluating conflicting information, and preparing clear, objective, and well-supported investigative reports.
Ethics and Compliance Investigators handle sensitive, complex, and highly confidential matters involving County employees, contractors, programs, and services. They also respond to inquiries from County departments, employees, and members of the public; provide guidance regarding complaint processes, ethics and compliance requirements; and work collaboratively with County leadership and other stakeholders to promote accountability, fair treatment, and a culture of integrity throughout County operations.
Ethics and Compliance Investigators represent the Office of Ethics and Compliance by leading complex, sensitive, and high-profile investigations involving allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, conflicts of interest, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, vendor or contractor misconduct, and other potential violations of County policies, ethical standards, or applicable laws.
The position will conduct administrative fact-finding across a wide range of County operations, programs, departments, and business activities, including matters involving financial irregularities, misrepresentation, misuse of public resources, improper conduct, and internal control weaknesses. The role will also support oversight of County contracts and procurement activities by identifying compliance risks, reviewing potential gaps in contract administration, and evaluating patterns of noncompliance that may affect multiple departments, programs, vendors, or contracts.
This role requires exceptional investigative interviewing skills, including the ability to evaluate sensitive information, complex allegations, manage high-tension situations professionally, conduct detailed fact finding involving multiple parties and competing accounts, and access credibility. The position requires the ability to provide clear guidance and technical assistance to County employees, departments, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders regarding ethics, compliance, investigative processes, and applicable requirements, operate standard office equipment, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, effectively perform work in both remote and field environments, maintain a secure and confidential workspace, and safeguard sensitive information.
The ideal candidate brings exceptional integrity, accountability, fairness, and public service, with the ability to navigate sensitive, complex, and high-profile matters with professionalism and discretion. This individual demonstrates sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and objectivity when handling confidential information and interacting with complainants, witnesses, subjects, employees, contractors, vendors, executives, and County partners. The ideal Ethics and Compliance Investigator will have experience conducting complex administrative, ethics, compliance, fraud, equal employment opportunity, and workplace investigations. Experience applying investigative, compliance, audit, or risk-based approaches within government, procurement, contracting, regulatory, or other highly regulated environments is highly desirable. The ideal candidate has trauma-informed interviewing skills, culturally responsive approaches, and can analyze documentary, testimonial, financial, and other evidence to reach objective, well-supported determinations. The successful candidate must possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality reports, build trust, foster cooperation, communicate difficult findings, and support appropriate resolution while maintaining independence, neutrality.
Hiring Process and Timeline
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
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Interviews, Job Offers and Background Process will begin in September 2026. (Current County employees may be exempt from the background process.)
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Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
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Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency AND three (3) years of investigative or conflict resolution experience related to administrative, civil, criminal, or human resources matters.
Note: A master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a certified foreign studies equivalency may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience; OR, additional years of experience as described above may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Notes: For your education and/or certifications to be considered, you must attach a copy of your degree, transcripts, diploma, foreign equivalency report and/or certifications to your application. Required attachments previously submitted do not need to be resubmitted. Please submit only the documents required. Additional documentation such as awards, letters of recommendation, unsolicited certifications, etc. will not be added to your application file.
Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Conditions of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran’s Preference Policy
The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.
Military Skills Translator
Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.
Strategic Plan
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov) (Download PDF reader)
Disaster Service Worker
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
Diversity & Inclusion
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
