Job Description
ABOUT THE POSITION The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is accepting applications for an Estate Investigator. Incumbents are responsible for reviewing referrals and conducting interviews with members of the public, conservators, and others in the field to conduct investigations of property and estates. Further responsibility includes preparing follow-up investigation reports for estate planning and/or estate sales and ensuring the protection of estate properties.
The Estate Investigator will work both in the office and the field daily. Field work can be challenging as work conditions will be in decedent's residence, which may not have electricity/running water, or they may be exposed to unpleasant smells of a hoarder residence or decomposition. The employee will have to be comfortable with working in an investigative field related to a decedent, their death, viewing and reading confidential documents related to their death.
Competitive candidates will possess in depth knowledge conducting field investigations as well as experience in researching and locating heirs or other interested parties and physically securing assets of persons that have expired . Candidates who have experience working for a County Public Administrator or Public Guardian Office are highly desired. Additionally, candidates working in the investigative field are also highly desired.
Meet the Team! The law enforcement professionals of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office , with a staff of over 3,600 dedicated men and women, cover the expanse of over 7,300 square miles in southern California. The Sheriff's Office is dedicated to serving the citizens of its communities with integrity, professionalism, leadership, and loyalty and believes in service above self.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES • Search for the wills of deceased persons.
• Locate and inventory personal property of deceased persons.
• Investigate business establishments owned by deceased persons.
• Secure cash, stocks, bonds, or other legal assets.
• Prepare preliminary appraisals of businesses for valuation purposes.
• Assist in managing estate properties held for distribution.
• Interview and advise surviving relatives and/or friends of deceased persons on estate matters and procedures.
• Arrange furniture, etc., for auction sales.
• Insure for the protection of properties against theft and vandalism.
• Provide testimony in court.
• Prepare and submit detailed and itemized reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OPTION I Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.
Experience: Three years of experience directly related to interviewing, investigative procedures, accounting principles, or legal actions. (Completion of undergraduate level courses from an accredited college or university in law, real estate, accounting, or a closely related field to the assignment may substitute for the required experience on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of the required experience.)
OPTION II Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.
Experience: Two years working in a County Public Administrator or Public Guardian Office.(Completion of undergraduate level courses from an accredited college or university in law, real estate, accounting, or a closely related field to the assignment may substitute for the required experience on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of the required experience.)
ALL OPTIONS Knowledge of: Various types and uses of documents representing assets, liabilities and techniques to determine assets and liabilities; interviewing and analytical techniques for gathering, interpreting and evaluating data; and the basic understanding of language used in documents (e.g., wills, deeds and contracts); basic accounting principles and techniques; basic word processing techniques.
Ability to: Protect personal effects and valuables; conduct investigations and gather information involving financial resources, real property and other assets of decedents, including locating heirs or other interested parties and determining potential benefits; recognize and analyze problems, gather relevant information, determine facts, and draw valid conclusions; communicate and deal effectively and tactfully with persons under emotional stress; prepare concise written and oral reports of investigative actions.
Other Requirements: License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Physical requirements: Workingaround offensive sights and smells. Exposure to heat or hot weather; working in an open warehouse, walking and standing.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Ulysses Gerardo at 951-955-5772 or e-mail at ugerardo@rivco.org.
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APPLICATION INFORMATION Veteran's Preference The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here:
Reasonable Accommodations The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at:
Proof of Education If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
Equal Opportunity Employer The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the '
Apply ' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, .
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT : County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
- A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
- A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
- A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note: This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
Job Tags
Holiday work, Permanent employment, Temporary work, Local area, Felony friendly, Flexible hours, Monday to Friday,