Probate Investigator

Superior Court of California, County of Riverside

$83K — $109K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in science, social science, behavioral science, liberal arts, or nursing.
  • Two years of experience in casework or investigations in legal, financial, law enforcement, or social services.
  • Valid California Driver's License for job duties.
  • Ability to interpret and apply Probate Law and Rules of Court.
  • Completion of 18 hours of continuing education annually as required.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct field investigations and assessments for guardianship and conservatorship petitions.
  • Interview prospective conservatees, family members, and professionals to gather information.
  • Visit homes and locations to assess living conditions and relevant details.
  • Review medical, financial, legal, and court records during investigations.
  • Conduct criminal background checks on potential conservators and guardians.
  • Evaluate the necessity of ongoing conservatorships and review reports from conservators.
  • Prepare comprehensive and objective investigative reports for the court.

Benefits

  • Annual merit increases for satisfactory performance.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits with substantial employer contributions.
  • Pension plan through CalPERS and options for deferred compensation programs.
  • Generous leave accruals and fourteen paid holidays.
  • Tuition discounts and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.
Full Job Description
Salary: $40.17 - $52.42 Hourly
Location : Within Riverside County, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26PROBINV-01
Department: Legal Services
Opening Date: 09/14/2026

This is not a desk-only investigative role. You'll meet with individuals in their homes and other community settings, interview family members and professionals, review legal, financial, and medical information, and provide the Court with clear, objective findings that help judicial officers make important decisions. You will independently conduct detailed investigations to evaluate circumstances surrounding conservatorship and guardianship cases. Your work will require a unique combination of investigative skill, sound judgment, empathy, attention to detail, and strong written communication.

Your investigative reports become evidence and are relied upon by judicial officers when making guardianship and conservatorship determinations, making the quality and objectivity of your work essential.

In this role, you will:
  • Conduct field investigations and assessments involving guardianship and conservatorship petitions.
  • Interview prospective conservatees, family members, attorneys, medical and psychiatric professionals, government agencies, and other involved parties.
  • Visit homes and other locations to assess living conditions and gather relevant information.
  • Review medical, financial, legal, and court records as part of your investigation.
  • Conduct criminal background checks on prospective conservators and guardians.
  • Evaluate the continued need for conservatorships and review reports submitted by conservators.
  • Interpret and apply Probate Law, Rules of Court, policies, procedures, and other legal requirements.
  • Prepare clear, comprehensive, and objective investigative reports for judicial review and consideration.
  • Communicate with individuals who may be confused, distressed, or experiencing challenging circumstances while maintaining professionalism, tact, and appropriate boundaries.

The position requires significant fieldwork throughout Riverside County, with approximately 50% travel, and regular visits to homes and other facilities to conduct interviews and assess living conditions.
Who We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is a curious and thorough investigator, thoughtful interviewer, and strong writer who can gather information from multiple sources and turn complex facts into clear, well-supported findings.

You'll be successful in this role if you can remain objective when circumstances are complicated, exercise sound independent judgment, communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, maintain confidentiality, and approach sensitive situations with tact and discretion.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
A bachelor's degree in a science, social science, behavioral science, liberal arts, or nursing from an accredited educational institution.
Additional Continuing Education: Requirements must be met annuallypursuant to the criteria outlined in the California Rule of Court 10.478.
Experience:
Two years of employment experience performing casework or investigations in a legal, financial, law enforcement, or social services setting.

A valid California Driver License is required to perform the essential functions of this position.
For a complete list of the qualifications and essential duties, please refer to the job description.

Competitive Compensation Package
At Riverside Superior Court, we reward hard work and dedication!

We offer:
  • Annual merit increases for satisfactory job performance
  • A robust benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
  • A pension plan provided by the California Public Employer's Retirement System also known as CalPERS. You will contribute between 7% and 8% of your biweekly pay, depending on your membership status
  • Optional deferred compensation programs
  • Generous leave accruals
  • Fourteen (14) paid holidays
  • Bereavement leave
  • Tuition discounts
  • Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification

Application Process
All applicants are required to submit a completed online application and supplemental questionnaire. To learn more about how to create an application, click

Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire.

Human Resources will review applications to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; therefore, it is to your benefit to include all current and previous related work experience. When listing Court experience, please include dates and classification of each position held, if more than one.

Selection Procedures:

This recruitment will remain open until the needs of the Court have been met and may close at any time. However, the deadline to apply for first round consideration is Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

All applications will be reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; those candidates deemed most qualified may be invited to an online or written assessment, if applicable.

Candidates who take and successfully pass the assessment may be invited to an oral panel interview. Candidates who are successful in the interview may be placed on an eligible list. Placement on an eligible list is not a guarantee of employment.

Additional steps for the selection process may include a comprehensive background check and drug test.

Status Notifications

You will be notified by email and/or text message during the process of this recruitment through governmentjobs.com. Please check your email spam/junk folders and accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and riverside.courts.ca.gov. If your information changes, please update your profile at

At the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, we are committed to not only providing a rewarding career but also taking care of our employees in every way possible. We understand that your health and well-being are just as important as your work, which is why we offer a powerhouse benefits package designed with YOU in mind.

Here's what you get when you join our team:
  • Top-Tier Health Coverage: Premium medical plans through CalPERS, plus Delta Dental and VSP Vision to keep you and your family healthy and smiling.

  • Substantial Contributions: Receive court contributions towards the cost of medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family. Eight of our ten medical plan options are covered at 100%, which means you will have absolutely zero out-of-pocket monthly premium costs, helping you stay healthy without breaking the bank!


Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Court Contributions:
  • Employee Only: $1,264/month
  • Employee + 1 Dependent: $2,117/month
  • Employee + Family: $2,754/month
  • Financial Flexibility: Save smart with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
  • Peace of Mind: Secure supplemental life insurance benefits through Lincoln Financial.
  • Court paid basic life/accidental dismemberment (AD&D) insurance in the amount of:
    • $50,000/$25,000
  • Golden Retirement: Build a strong future with a CalPERS pension and additional Nationwide 457(b) retirement savings options.
  • Emotional Wellness: Access confidential support through our court provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP) whenever you need it.

Work-Life Balance You Can Count On:
  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • 14 Paid Holidays
  • Alternative Work Schedule
  • Depending on your role, you may be eligible for:
    • 9/80 Schedule: Work 80 hours over 9 days.
    • 4/10 Schedule: Work four 10-hour days with a three-day weekend, every week.
    • Hybrid Work Options: Some positions may qualify for a hybrid schedule, blending in-office collaboration with the convenience of remote work.
  • Bereavement Leave for life's toughest moments
  • Tuition Discounts to help you grow and learn


Crushing Student Debt?
We've got you covered. We offer eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification-so you can keep building your career and wipe out your student loans.

This is more than a job-it's a career with purpose, benefits, and a team that's got your back.
01

The information you provide will be used to rate your qualifications for the position. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering the question. If you do not have experience, please write "NONE". NOTE: 'See résumé', 'See above', or copy and paste of your résumé are not considered qualifying responses and will not be scored.By selecting yes below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this application requirement.
  • Yes
  • No

02

This position requires travel throughout Riverside County 50% of the time. Are you willing to travel as required of the position?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Do you have a valid California Driver's license and proof of liability insurance?
  • Yes
  • No

04

Per the California Rule of Court 10.478, this position requires 18 hours of continuing education on select topics annually. Are you willing to comply with the education requirements?
  • Yes
  • No

05

Which best describes your level of education?
  • I do not have a Bachelor's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree in a Science
  • Bachelor's Degree in a Social Science
  • Bachelor's Degree in a Behavioral Science
  • Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts
  • Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
  • Bachelor's Degree in other area
  • Master's Degree or above

06

How many years of experience do you have performing casework or investigations in a legal, financial, law enforcement; or social services setting?
  • Less than two years
  • Two years
  • Three years
  • Four years
  • Five years or more

07

Describe your experience as it relates to the above question in detail. If none, indicate "none".
08

How many years of experience do you have with conservatorship and guardianship proceedings in the state of California?
  • None
  • Six months
  • One year
  • Two years
  • Three years or more

09

Describe your experience as it relates to the above question in detail. If none, indicate "none".
10

How many years of experience do you have interviewing individuals with disabilities, cognitive impairment, or communication barriers, and your experience interviewing minors?
  • None
  • Six months
  • One year
  • Two years
  • Three or more years

11

Describe your experience as it relates to the above question in detail. If none, indicate "none".
12

How many years of experience do you have in conducting field investigations, home studies, home visits, or in-person assessments?
  • None
  • Six months
  • One Year
  • Two Years
  • Three or more years

13

Describe your experience as it relates to the above question in detail. If none, indicate "none".
14

Do you have any employment gap(s) within the last 10 years? If yes, please answer the question below. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification.
  • Yes
  • No

15

Please explain any gap(s) in employment.
Required Question

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