District Attorney Investigator (Drug Recognition Expert)

Job Description:

District Attorney Investigator (Drug Recognition Expert)

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
(District Attorney Investigator)

SALARY INFORMATION
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.


OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an Open eligible list to fill current and future District Attorney Investigator vacancies. The eligible list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
THURSDAY, JULY 09, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PT).

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The Office of the Orange County District Attorney - Public Administrator (OCDA-PA) represents the People of the State of California in all criminal and civil proceedings, serves the court and criminal justice system, and the Orange County Grand Jury. The mission of the Office is to enhance public safety and welfare and to protect and respect crime victims and create security in the community through the vigorous enforcement of criminal and civil laws in a just, honest, efficient, and ethical manner. The Office consists of three major divisions: Legal, Investigative Bureau of Investigation, and Administration. The Bureau of Investigation supports the prosecutorial and law enforcement endeavors of the District Attorney. It provides a wide range of policing services tasked with suppressing crime and ensuring all criminal cases filed in Orange County are thoroughly investigated.

THE OPPORTUNITY:
The District Attorney-Public Administrator is seeking a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) investigator to serve as a statewide instructor for drug-impaired driving investigation training courses, to conduct DRE Post-Incident Reviews of driving under the influence of drug cases for prosecutors, and to testify statewide as an expert in driving under the influence of drug cases. The DRE Investigator will also serve as a statewide instructor assisting with DRE courses so that other current DRE candidates and DREs can obtain or maintain their DRE certification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess five (5) years of experience as a law enforcement officer in accordance with California Penal Code Section 830.1, including three years of experience as a DRE instructor with a valid DRE Certification, card, and rolling log. In addition, the ideal candidate will also possess extensive knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following competencies:

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• First-hand experience with administering a DRE school, including curriculum planning and instructor identification and scheduling
• Familiarity with the OCDA - DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs) Collaborative Grant program and objectives, including having taken or taught DRE courses regarding the grant model
• Thorough knowledge of courtroom procedures as well as investigative techniques and methods
• Prior experience testifying in court as a DRE
• Knowledge of current drug trends, Pharmacokinetics of alcohol and drugs, updates in philosophy or practice from NHTSA and the DRE Technical Advisory Panel

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Superior teaching and organizational skills
• Approachability and flexibility
• Exceptional judgment and common sense
• Ability to apply forward-thinking and creative thought with high ethical standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Please click here for the minimum qualifications for the District Attorney Investigator including the physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.
LICENSE REQUIREMENT

• Possession of a valid California Driver License by date of appointment.
  

PEACE OFFICER REQUIREMENTS

• Be a citizen of the United States or qualify for Peace Officer status under California Government Code Section 1031.5; be at least 21 years of age; not have been convicted of a felony.
• Be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect exercise of peace officer powers, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with California Government Code Section 1031.
• Have graduated from high school, attained a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test or passed a California high school proficiency examination.
• Pass a background investigation conducted in compliance with California Government Code Section 1031, to the satisfaction of the District Attorney.

• Possess a current and valid California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Certificate or Basic Course Waiver as of date of appointment.

All applicants who have filed an application must scan, upload, and attach their California P.O.S.T. certificate (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, or Management) as well as their DRE Certification, DRE Card, and DRE Rolling Log to the application.

[Failure to attach your certificates may result in an incomplete application which may not be accepted]


ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION

• In addition to the monthly starting pay, candidates receive P.O.S.T. pay commensurate with the level of P.O.S.T. certificate the candidate possesses.
  
• Additional compensation up to 70 cents ($0.70) per hour may be available for candidates selected to work in positions requiring bilingual skills.
  
• Educational incentive pay of ($115.38) biweekly is available to employees who hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from a college or university accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, International Association of Universities, or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  

RETIREMENT RECIPROCITY

Employed members of accepted reciprocal systems who were in those retirement systems prior to January 1, 2013, and who have not retired from those systems, may be eligible for previous OCERS formula of 3% at age 55 for safety members.

• Membership in the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS). For more information, please call (714) 558-6200 or visit www.ocers.org

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The County offers a competitive benefits package which includes a choice of several health plans, vacation leave, sick leave, and paid holidays. Additionally, the County provides a retirement plan, which has reciprocity with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Participation in a deferred compensation plan is available. The County also offers up to $10,000 annual Educational and Professional Reimbursement.

• For detailed information on benefits click here .
• For detailed information on OCERS retirement click here.
• For additional Union benefits for Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs' (AOCDS) members, please call (714) 285-9900.

ORANGE COUNTY AMENITIES

• 24 Parks and Trails: OC Parks & Trails
• 17 Beaches/Harbors: OC Beaches
• 7 Historical Sites: OC Historic Sites

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all applications in order to identify the candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications for this position based on the skills required to meet the needs of the Department. After the initial screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step of the selection process.

Structured Oral Interview (SOI): (Weighed 100%) Applicants will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, District Attorney Human Resources will establish an eligible list of candidates. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Background Requirements
Candidates selected to be under consideration for hire by the Office of the District Attorney-Public Administrator will be required to successfully pass an extensive and thorough background investigation, including Live Scan fingerprinting and medical and psychological testing, to the satisfaction of the District Attorney. The information gathered in the course of a background investigation is deemed confidential and will not be disclosed to the applicant unless legally mandated by statute to do so.
Based on the Department's needs, the recruitment procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the recruitment procedure.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct e-mail address is included in our application and use only one e-mail account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via e-mail through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your e-mail folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept e-mails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your e-mail address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have questions related to this recruitment, please contact Lori Wrightat (714) 347-8420 or [email protected]

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 7/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$127,774.40 - $172,723.20 Annually