Salary : $135,711.68 - $165,127.04 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-V86-A
Department: County Counsel
Division: County Counsel - Claims
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 92

Description

Under general supervision, perform investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence on behalf of County Counsel, and analyze claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara and its employees.

The Office of the County Counsel seeks a County Counsel Investigator to work with the Civil Rights, Tort, and Employment Litigation team on claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara, including medical malpractice claims and lawsuits. Candidates should have excellent organizational, investigative, and analytical skills, and excellent written and oral communication abilities. The capability to work collaboratively with your colleagues and clients, and strong research and problem-solving abilities are valued. An eagerness to take on interesting challenges with a commitment to public service in a professional environment is an essential quality for success in this job. Experience in a legal, government, or claims office is highly desirable. Because the position will include investigation and evaluation of medical malpractice claims, experience as a medical malpractice claims analyst or other experience with medical malpractice claims is also highly desirable.

You must attach a resume and writing sample to your job application in order to submit your application for this recruitment. The writing sample must include your name as the author.
Typical Tasks

• Conducts investigations of claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara;
  
• Determines scope of investigation needed to resolve a claim and directs the securing of information;
  
• Investigates the scene of a claim and gathers intelligence information through multiple avenues, including taking photographs and conducting interviews;
  
• Obtains and analyzes documents, records, and other confidential and/or sensitive material related to claims and litigated matters and ensures that collected documents are archived in the claims/case management system;
  
• Assists County Counsel Attorneys in preparation of cases for court;
  
• Gathers information by communicating with internal and external agencies, including Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies, and County departments;
  
• Prepares detailed reports of investigations, including synopses of facts, dates, names, places, statements of claimants/witnesses, and listings of evidence;
  
• Conducts research relevant to individual claims to support claim and risk analyses in reports and in support of the litigation team;
  
• Provides initial notification to excess carrier of claims, file closure, and, where appropriate, secures reimbursement;
  
• Participates in studies relating to programs and needs of the department;
  
• Prepares e-discovery holds;
  
• Maintains all claim files in readiness for legal action, recognizing the confidentiality of the investigative materials contained therein;
  
• Drafts a variety of correspondence related to claims and lawsuits, including Settlement Authority requests and tenders of defense;
  
• Represents the County in Small Claims Court;
  
• May function as the Administrator for the County's National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); responsible for reporting claim/litigation data to state agencies, including the Medical Board and Board of Nursing;
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to the possession of a Bachelor's Degree. Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis,

and

Two (2) years of experience managing investigations, preparing detailed investigative reports, and interviewing witnesses.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

Knowledge of:

• Methods for planning and conducting investigations;
  
• Research methods, including data collection;
  
• Report writing practices;
  
• The rules of evidence and court procedures;
  
• Insurance and related legal terminology;
  
• Coverages in liability policies;
  
• Federal, State, and local codes, rules, and regulations relating to vehicular, personal injury, and liability;
  
• Federal and state law relating to assessing and maintaining the confidentiality of personal health and/or identifying information;
  
• Medical terminology;
  
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation;
  
• Malpractice regulations and settlement limits;
  
• Principles of mathematical and statistical computations;
  
• Effective communication and interviewing techniques required for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information;
  
• Common office computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
  
• Formulate, gather, interpret, analyze, evaluate, and present a variety of informational and statistical data;
  
• Conduct witness interviews to obtain and clarify information;
  
• Gather, analyze, correlate, and evaluate observed facts and evidence;
  
• Negotiate settlements with unrepresented claimants;
  
• Represent the County in Small Claims Court proceedings;
  
• Read and understand various statutory code provisions;
  
• Read and understand liability insurance policies;
  
• Handle and maintain confidential and sensitive information, including attorney work product and attorney-client communications;
  
• Prepare and present clear, concise reports.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

03

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify here. If not, type "N/A".
04

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None of the above

05

How many years of analytical experience (i.e. experience interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing) do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two
• Two to less than three
• Three to less than four
• Four to less than five
• Five to less than six
• Six to less than seven
• Seven to less than eight
• Eight to less than nine
• Nine or more years

06

Describe your experience performing analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory or management duties, which includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data, formulating recommendations, and report writing. If none, type N/A. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format:a) Employer name(s)b) Job title(s)c) Start/end dates of employmentd) Total hours worked per weeke) Description of task(s) performed
07

How many years of experience do you have managing investigations, preparing detailed investigative reports, and interviewing witnesses?

• None
• Less than one year
• One year less than two years
• More than two years

08

Please describe your experience managing investigations. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "No Experience." For each employer, indicate the below:a) Employer name(s)b) Job title(s)c) Supervisor names(s)d) Start/end dates of employmente) Whether the job was full-time or part-time, and temporary or permanentf) Total hours worked per week.
09

Please describe your experience preparing detailed investigative reports. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "No Experience." For each employer, indicate the below:a) Employer name(s)b) Job title(s)c) Supervisor names(s)d) Start/end dates of employmente) Whether the job was full-time or part-time, and temporary or permanent