The County of San Diego's Office of Ethics and Compliance invites qualified individuals to apply for Labor Standards Investigator-Waterfront Program
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 June 2026 and job offers for selected candidates will be made after interviews are complete.
June 2026 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3.00% Across-the-Board + 1.49% Market Adjustment)
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 Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE) is dedicated to protecting workers, supporting responsible employers, and promoting fair and lawful labor practices across the region by:
The Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement Investigators conduct investigations into alleged violations of labor laws and County ordinances, including wage theft, retaliation, and noncompliance with labor standards requirements. These positions are responsible for investigating complaints, monitoring compliance in County contracts, and responding to inquiries from workers, employers, and the public. Investigators handle sensitive, complex, and confidential matters, applying enforcement tools and remedies to ensure accountability and support lawful labor practices across County operations and the broader community.
This position has an emphasis on the Waterfront Program andwill support the implementation and enforcement of labor standards for higher-impact events held on County-owned and leased park property. Responsibilities include conducting pre-event compliance reviews of required documentation such as crew rosters, safety plans, and labor compliance materials; verifying adherence to applicable wage, benefit, and safety requirements; and coordinating event vendors, contractors, and County departments to ensure compliance prior to event approval.
The position will perform on-site monitoring during events, including verifying worker certifications, conducting safety briefings, responding to worker inquiries, and assessing compliance with labor standards and workplace safety requirements. The incumbent will document conditions in real time and may support enforcement actions by identifying violations and recommending corrective measures.
Following events, this position will assist in the investigation of complaints by reviewing payroll records, subcontractor information, and other relevant documentation, and support the development of findings and enforcement actions consistent with County ordinances. The role will also contribute to ongoing program implementation by providing education, technical assistance, and outreach to workers, employers, and stakeholders to promote understanding of labor standards, encourage voluntary compliance, and support safe and equitable working conditions across County operations.
This position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends to support on-site monitoring of higher-impact events held on County-owned and leased park property, as well as participation in community outreach and education activities. The incumbent will represent the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement at events, trainings, and stakeholder engagements, providing guidance on labor standards, worker rights, and compliance requirements. Outreach responsibilities may include delivering presentations, supporting workshops, and engaging with workers, employers, and community-based organizations. The position may also perform related duties as assigned to support program implementation, enforcement activities, and broader departmental initiatives.
The ideal candidatebrings a strong commitment to worker protection, fairness, and public service, with the ability to navigate sensitive and complex situations with professionalism and discretion. This individual demonstrates sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and integrity when handling confidential information and interacting with diverse stakeholders, including workers, employers, contractors, and County partners.
The ideal candidate will have experience applying investigative or compliance-based approaches in labor standards, workplace safety, or regulatory environments. Familiarity with California labor laws, wage and hour enforcement, and workplace safety requirements (including OSHA standards) is highly desirable. Relevant certifications such as OSHA 10/30 or equivalent safety training are preferred.Strong communication skills are essential, including the ability to engage effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Bilingual or multilingual proficiency (e.g., Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or other languages commonly spoken in San Diego County) is highly desirable to support equitable access to enforcement and outreach efforts.
This role requires the ability to assess complex situations, manage high-tension or sensitive situations in the field, and gather facts in dynamic environments, including active worksites and live events. The ideal candidate is skilled in interviewing techniques, including trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, and can analyze information to make objective, well-supported determinations.
Additionally, the candidate should be able to provide clear guidance and technical assistance to workers and employers, helping clarify rights, responsibilities, and compliance expectations. The ability to build trust, foster cooperation, and support resolution, while maintaining a firm understanding of enforcement authority, is critical to success in this role.
Hiring Process and Timeline
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
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.
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 asix (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.
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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.
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