Senior Fraud Investigator

Salary : $109,616.00 - $135,532.80 Annually
Location : Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), 2600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Job Type: At-Will Exempt
Job Number: 26-72
Department: Legal
Opening Date: 09/25/2026

Special Note: The posted salary is an estimate of the potential annual pay. Final offer will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Scale: Candidates can expect to be hired within the 8-step salary range of $109,616.00 - $135,532.80.

***POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED***
Class Characteristics: Incumbent in this classification functions as lead person over Fraud Investigators and may supervise clerical or administrative support.

Definition: Under direction, serves and leads the activities of personnel assigned to investigations related to suspected fraudulent receipt of aid and obtains and presents facts and evidence in support of administrative action or prosecution; delegates, monitors, and evaluates the investigations involving the gathering of evidence for apprehension and prosecution of persons suspected of violating the law and performs skilled investigations; and performs other related duties as required.

Examples of Essential Functions - Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plans, collaborates, and assists in reviewing the work of investigators; may supervise clerical or administrative support in the department.
• Oversees investigations regarding allegations of irregularities, fraud, collusion, conflicts of interest, and improprieties on the part of Authority employees, contractor personnel, or others in connection with Authority programs.
• Supervises investigations regarding any violation of, or noncompliance with, the requirements of legislation and/or administrative rules and regulations pertaining to the programs administered by the Authority.
• Monitors and assists with the progress of cases assigned to each investigator; provides guidance to investigators.
  Leads field investigations, including locating and interviewing the suspected persons, witnesses, and agency representatives to obtain and verify information and evidence.
• Assists in the selection of new employees; trains or supervises the training of unit employees; reviews investigative reports submitted by subordinates for completeness and accuracy.
• Collects, compiles, and analyzes factual information and prepares statistical reports; may testify in court.
• Assists in development of, and conducts in-service training for, Authority personnel regarding fraud prevention and awareness programs.
• Maintains compliance with principles of accepted employee conduct as identified in the HACLA employee handbook and as specified in departmental policies and procedures.
• May be required to drive a vehicle to different sites and/or locations to gather evidence and information for investigations.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:
Knowledge of:

• Investigative techniques and procedures.
• Techniques of interviewing witnesses.
• The principles of identification, preservation, and presentation of evidence.
• The legal rights of citizens.
• The rules of evidence and of court procedures.
• Legal procedures and requirements related to enforcement of housing fraud laws.
• The basic principles of supervision.
• Criminal law, civil law, and rules of evidence.

Ability to:

• Collaborate and review the work of other investigators and support personnel.
• Effectively analyze and interpret data.
• Recognize relevant and material information.
• Conduct a variety of housing fraud and departmental investigations.
• Obtain information and evidence by observation, record examination, interviews, and use of electronic and electronic data processing equipment.
• Analyze and evaluate the statements of witnesses, or suspected violators, and draw logical conclusions.
• Secure and present information and evidence in oral or written form.
• Deal with citizens and public officials under conditions requiring tact.
• Supervise the preparation of clear, concise, and conclusive reports.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including Housing Authority staff, government officials, and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from a recognized college or university -AND- five (5) years professional level investigative or law enforcement experience as a criminal investigator, or fraud auditing experience, in which two (2) years must be in a lead or supervisory capacity -OR- any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications: The ideal candidate would be a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education, and/or training. Applications must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation. Resumes may be included but may not be submitted in lieu of application content. Only the most-qualified applicants will be considered and may be invited to the interview and selection process.
SELECTION PROCEDUREApplications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training. The application must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation.
HIRING INFORMATION
All job offers are contingent upon providing a successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation, which includes: a post-offer medical examination (includes drug and alcohol screening), criminal records check, employment history and education verification, and documentation of the right to work in the United States.
Candidates will start at step one (1) of an eight (8) step salary range unless there are special exceptions in accordance with agency Personnel Rules.

HACLA Benefits

*Medical/Dental/Vision Plan:

• HACLA will provide up to 100% of the CalPERS medical premium rate for Los Angeles, San Bernardino & Ventura Counties Kaiser rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• HACLA will provide 100% of basic Dental HMO rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• HACLA will provide 100% basic Vision coverage for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• $250 OPT OUT payment is available for employees with a qualifying health plan outside of the employer network.
• Employees have the option to choose additional optional insurance such as Dental PPO, Custom Vision, additional medical coverage, and voluntary additional life insurance.

*Short-Term Disability/Long-Term Disability/Mandatory Life:

• HACLA will provide 100% of STD/LTD/Mandatory Life premiums for all eligible employees to maintain the IRS 125 Plan

*Pension Plan:

• HACLAretirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years.
  • For Classic members, the pension formula is 2.7% at 55 with members contributing 8% of their wages towards their retirement.
  • For PEPRA members, the pension formula is 2% at 62, with members contributing 7.75% of their wages towards their retirement.
  • CalPERS will make the determination regarding the type of membership for which the eligible employee will qualify.

*General Leave/Holidays/PTO:

• Annual leave accruals vary, depending upon the type of job/position (membership in employee organizational group) and years of service. Length of service increases accrual rates by employee organizational group when service requirements are met.
• Newly Hired Annual Accruals:
  • At-Will/Non-Represented accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
  • Council of Housing Professionals-Management accrual per pay period 4.15 hours (14 days annually)
  • Council of Housing Professionals-Administration accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
  • Service Employees International Union (Local 721) accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
  • Los Angeles County Building and Construction Trades Council accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
• 14 Observed Holidays:
  • New Year's Eve; New Years Day; Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday; President's Day; Cesar Chavez Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• 12 Floating Holiday hours annually
• Opportunity to earn up to 160 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) for eligible exempt employees as comp time per calendar year. Employees may cash out up to 160 hours of accrued and unused PTO annually.

*Additional Optional Benefits:

• Pre-Tax Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
• Group term life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account Options
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Partial Telework Program

*Temporary Casual/Per-Diem employee are eligible to enroll/receive the following benefits:

• Kaiser Medical Insurance - 50% employer covered medical through Kaiser Permanente if working 30 hours or more per week.
• Paid Sick Time - At least 40 hours or 5 days of sick leave after 90 days of employment.
• Eligible casual employees may enter as Classic or PEPRA members if qualifying requirements are met.
• Per-Diem employees are not eligible for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).

Note: Temporary casual/per-diem employees are able to work up to 40 hours per week as necessary.

*Availability of benefits are dependent upon employment eligibility status with HACLA*
01

What is your highest level of education?

• High School
• Certification
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02

How many years of experience do you have in professional level investigation, fraud auditing, or as a criminal investigator in law enforcement?

• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years, but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years, but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years, but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years, but less than 6 years
• More than 6 years, but less than 7 years
• More than 7 years, but less than 8 years
• More than 8 years, but less than 9 years
• 9 years or more

03

How many years of experience do you have as a lead or supervisor?

• None
• More than 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more

Required Question