Workplace Investigator - California

About the Department

CPS HR Consulting is seeking experienced California-based Workplace Investigators to support public sector clients throughout the state.

This project-based consulting opportunity is ideal for seasoned investigators and employment law professionals who are committed to conducting fair, objective, and defensible workplace investigations.

Our investigators serve as trusted third-party professionals, helping public agencies address sensitive allegations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct, and other employee relations matters.

This role offers flexible assignments while providing meaningful opportunities to strengthen accountability, workplace culture, and public trust.

In this role, you will serve in a project-based W-2 consulting capacity with flexible, as-needed engagement.

When assigned to a project, hours and project assignments will vary based on client needs and are not guaranteed.

CPS HR Consulting is seeking experienced California-based Workplace Investigators to support public sector clients throughout the state.

This project-based consulting opportunity is ideal for seasoned investigators and employment law professionals who are committed to conducting fair, objective, and defensible workplace investigations.

As a Workplace Investigator with CPS HR Consulting, you will independently manage workplace investigations for government and public-sector organizations, including: Conducting intake meetings and developing investigation plans.

Determining investigation scope and identifying relevant witnesses and evidence.

Conducting interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses.

Reviewing documentation, records, policies, and other relevant materials.

Assessing credibility and applying appropriate standards of evidence.

Preparing comprehensive investigative reports with factual findings and defensible conclusions.

Managing multiple active investigations while meeting established timelines.

Maintaining neutrality, confidentiality, and professionalism throughout the investigative process.

Travel Requirements This opportunity is open to California-based candidates.

While many activities may be conducted remotely, investigators must be available to travel occasionally to conduct in-person interviews and on-site work throughout the state, as needed.

What Success Looks Like Producing high-quality, impartial investigations supported by thorough fact gathering and sound analysis.

Delivering well-organized, defensible reports that withstand legal, administrative, and labor-relations scrutiny.

Effectively managing multiple assignments while maintaining investigative quality, responsiveness, and timeliness.

Demonstrating sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in sensitive workplace matters.

Applying consistent investigative methodology while maintaining objectivity and independence.

As a Workplace Investigator with CPS HR Consulting, you will independently manage workplace investigations for government and public-sector organizations, including:

• Conducting intake meetings and developing investigation plans.
• Determining investigation scope and identifying relevant witnesses and evidence.
• Conducting interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses.
• Reviewing documentation, records, policies, and other relevant materials.
• Assessing credibility and applying appropriate standards of evidence.
• Preparing comprehensive investigative reports with factual findings and defensible conclusions.
• Managing multiple active investigations while meeting established timelines.
• Maintaining neutrality, confidentiality, and professionalism throughout the investigative process.

This opportunity is open to California-based candidates.

While many activities may be conducted remotely, investigators must be available to travel occasionally to conduct in-person interviews and on-site work throughout the state, as needed.

• Producing high-quality, impartial investigations supported by thorough fact gathering and sound analysis.
• Delivering well-organized, defensible reports that withstand legal, administrative, and labor-relations scrutiny.
• Effectively managing multiple assignments while maintaining investigative quality, responsiveness, and timeliness.
• Demonstrating sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in sensitive workplace matters.
• Applying consistent investigative methodology while maintaining objectivity and independence.

Education & Experience Must be a licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of California OR have an a ctive California Private Investigator (PI) License issued by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).

Must have experience working in the public sector/government.

Must have demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, or similar employment-related matters.

Must have experience preparing written investigative reports and findings.

working in unionized environments strongly preferred.

serving as a neutral third-party investigator preferred.

Background in employment law, employee relations, labor relations, or mediation is highly desirable.

Knowledge & Skills Strong understanding of workplace investigation principles and investigative methodologies.

Knowledge of federal and California regulatory and compliance frameworks.

Knowledge of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct, and public-sector operating environments.

Ability to evaluate evidence, apply preponderance analysis, and make credibility assessments.

Strong interviewing, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.

Exceptional written communication and report-writing capabilities.

Ability to interact effectively with executives, managers, employees, legal counsel, and labor representatives.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple investigations simultaneously.

What Makes You Fit Approaches every investigation with integrity, neutrality, and professionalism.

Navigates complex and sensitive workplace situations with discretion and confidence.

Communicates proactively and effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including client leadership.

Proactively manages workload and communicates availability and capacity limitations.

Understands the unique dynamics of government agencies, legal review, grievances, union environments, and public records sensitivity.

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application and resume using the apply button above.

Applications accepted through the date listed at the top of the advertisement.

Interviews are anticipated during the week of September 8, 2026, with a target start date in late September or early October 2026.

• Must be a licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of California OR have an a ctive California Private Investigator (PI) License issued by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
• Must have experience working in the public sector/government.
• Must have demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, or similar employment-related matters.
• Must have experience preparing written investigative reports and findings.
• Experience working in unionized environments strongly preferred.
• Experience serving as a neutral third-party investigator preferred.
• Background in employment law, employee relations, labor relations, or mediation is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of workplace investigation principles and investigative methodologies.
• Knowledge of federal and California regulatory and compliance frameworks.
• Knowledge of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct, and public-sector operating environments.
• Ability to evaluate evidence, apply preponderance analysis, and make credibility assessments.
• Strong interviewing, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Exceptional written communication and report-writing capabilities.
• Ability to interact effectively with executives, managers, employees, legal counsel, and labor representatives.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple investigations simultaneously.

• Approaches every investigation with integrity, neutrality, and professionalism.
• Navigates complex and sensitive workplace situations with discretion and confidence.
• Communicates proactively and effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including client leadership.
• Proactively manages workload and communicates availability and capacity limitations.
• Understands the unique dynamics of government agencies, legal review, grievances, union environments, and public records sensitivity.

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application and resume using the apply button above.

• Applications accepted through the date listed at the top of the advertisement.
• Interviews are anticipated during the week of September 8, 2026, with a target start date in late September or early October 2026.

We’re a mission-driven, employee-centered consulting organization that exists to support the public sector. At CPS HR, you’ll work alongside professionals who are passionate about serving communities through government excellence. We offer: Hybrid and flexible work options A culture that values innovation, relationships, and equity Exposure to diverse projects, clients, and HR challenges that expand your skills and experience Free training and professional development courses to stay current with HR best practices, compliance requirements, and emerging trends.

We’re a mission-driven, employee-centered consulting organization that exists to support the public sector.

At CPS HR, you’ll work alongside professionals who are passionate about serving communities through government excellence.

We offer:

• Hybrid and flexible work options
• A culture that values innovation, relationships, and equity
• Exposure to diverse projects, clients, and HR challenges that expand your skills and experience
• Free training and professional development courses to stay current with HR best practices, compliance requirements, and emerging trends.

Intermittent positions are typically non-benefited positions but offer flexible work and remote work options that allow you to be in charge when you want to work on a project/client basis.

Intermittent employees may also take advantage of several employee benefits including pet insurance, rocket lawyer, Employee Perks Program, and much more!

Retirement Information: Mandatory participation in OBRA (457 deferred comp) with 7.5% of pre-tax earnings being deferred in lieu of Social Security (employee only contribution).

If you are already a member of CalPERS, you may be enrolled, if eligible, into CalPERS as extra-help appointment in lieu of OBRA participation.

Retired Annuitants do not contribute to OBRA or CalPERS, but hours worked are reported to CalPERS for tracking purposes.

All employees are eligible to elect participation in offered deferred compensation plans.

Please note: Benefit eligibility is based on employment status and/or position.

All benefits may not apply to all employees.

Intermittent employees are not eligible for participation in our Medical, Dental and Vision.

CPS HR Consulting does not participate in contributing to Social Security.

For more information about CPS HR, please visit our website .

• Mandatory participation in OBRA (457 deferred comp) with 7.5% of pre-tax earnings being deferred in lieu of Social Security (employee only contribution).
• If you are already a member of CalPERS, you may be enrolled, if eligible, into CalPERS as extra-help appointment in lieu of OBRA participation.
• Retired Annuitants do not contribute to OBRA or CalPERS, but hours worked are reported to CalPERS for tracking purposes.
• All employees are eligible to elect participation in offered deferred compensation plans.

• Yes
• No
• Yes
• No
• Under 3 years of experience
• 3-5 years of experience
• 5+ years of experience
• 10+ years of experience