Job Description

Posting number: 8516 O 2026/03/20 C

Department: Housing

Job classification: HOUSING INVESTIGATOR

Posting type: Open

Categories: Miscellaneous

Summary

ANNUAL SALARY

$75,627 to $110,580 and $89,115 to $130,332

NOTES:

1. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
2. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

A Housing Investigator conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations of alleged violations of the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and/or Housing Code (Los Angeles Municipal Code Chapters XV and XVI); gathers and evaluates evidence through investigative research, which may include inspecting properties, interviewing tenants, complainants, landlords, and other witnesses; obtains physical and documentary evidence; compiles, evaluates and organizes legal documents; undertakes legal research; prepares oral and written reports on investigative findings; prepares legal cases for referrals to the City Attorney’s Office Criminal Division; negotiates complaint settlements and case closures with landlords and tenants; represents the City at public events to provide information about the RSO; may act as a head investigator reviewing the work of a team of housing investigators; may supervise investigative support and public counter staff; and performs related work.

Examples of duties

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, and one year of full-time, paid professional experience investigating complaints, conducting inspections, conducting interviews, researching and referencing laws/ordinances, evaluating evidence, preparing narrative written reports on investigative findings, and compiling, evaluating, and organizing legal documents related to civil or criminal enforcement actions; or
2. A paralegal certificate from a paralegal training program within the United States and one year of full-time, paid paralegal experience investigating complaints, evaluating evidence and preparing legal documents related to civil or criminal enforcement actions; or
3. Four years of full-time paid experience investigating complaints, conducting inspections, conducting interviews, researching and referencing laws/ordinances, evaluating evidence, preparing narrative written reports on investigative findings, and compiling, evaluating, and organizing legal documents, one year of which must be related to civil or criminal enforcement actions.

PROCESS NOTES

1. As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required. Applicants will be disqualified and candidates will not be eligible for hire if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI or DWI in any state or jurisdiction. Notice of disqualification or ineligibility for hire may be issued by the City of Los Angeles at any time before a final job offer is extended.
2. For Internal Use Only: Licensing verification will occur at the time of filing.
3. For qualifying work experience in Requirement #1, the term “professional experience” applies to positions that require possession of a degree from an accredited four-year college or university in order to obtain that position. Therefore, to be considered “professional,” qualifying experience must be gained in positions requiring a four-year degree.
4. Applicants filing under Requirement #1 must list their school name, location, type of degree earned and major in the Education Section of the application. Applicants who fail to provide this information on their application will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.
5. Applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a paralegal certificate at the time of filing. The copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by not attaching it to the on-line application WILL NOT be considered further in this examination.
6. Experience in Housing Law is highly desired.
7. Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at https://personnel.lacity.gov/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf.
8. Candidates completing the examination process may be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree and coursework. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree and transcripts to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

Qualifications

Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed in the “Application Deadline” section of this bulletin. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity.

NOTE:

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026 to THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2027 to THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2027

The examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. Filing periods may change without prior notice or additional dates may be added, as needed, at a later date. For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen on the dates noted in the “Application Deadline” section of this bulletin.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.

Supplemental information

Examination Weights:

Essay: Advisory

Interview: 100%

The examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Analytical Ability; Self-Management; Objectivity; Responsiveness and Follow-Up; Interpersonal Skills; Written Communication; Fact Finding, including knowledge of: proper investigative techniques and procedures for identifying and obtaining evidence; interviewing techniques and strategies; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: mediation techniques; principles and practices of confidentiality; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Housing Investigator.

Prior to the interview, candidates will be required to prepare some written material related to the duties and responsibilities of a Housing Investigator. This essay material will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for review and consideration, which may include discussion, in the overall evaluation of the candidate. Those who do not complete the advisory essay will not be invited to the interview and will be considered to have failed the entire examination. To be considered complete, the advisory essay must include a substantive response for each question or problem included in the advisory essay for which a candidate is required to provide an answer. Please note that candidates must complete the advisory essay and meet the minimum qualifications as stated on this bulletin in order to be considered further in the examination process.

The advisory essay will be administered on-line. Candidates invited to participate in the examination will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the specific steps needed to complete the on-line advisory essay. Candidates who fail to complete the advisory essay as instructed may be disqualified.

For candidates who apply between FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026 and THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line advisory essay will be administered between MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026 and MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026.

For candidates who apply between FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2027 and THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2027, it is anticipated that the on-line advisory essay will be administered between MONDAY, MAY 10, 2027 and MONDAY, MAY 17, 2027.

Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line.

For candidates who apply between FRIDAY, MARCH20, 2026 and THURSDAY, APRIL2, 2026, it is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026 to THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026.

For candidates who apply between FRIDAY, MARCH19, 2027and THURSDAY, APRIL1, 2027, it is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2027 to THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2027.

NOTES:

1. This examination is based on a validation study.
2. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained athttp://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
3. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
4. You may take the Housing Investigator examination only once every 18 months.
5. Your rank on the eligible list may change as scores of candidates from other administrations of this examination are merged onto one list.
6. Your name may be removed from the open competitive list after six (6) months.
7. A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.
8. In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22, and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

Notice:

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN ONLY

ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html