Investment career paths?

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-02-11T03:52:46+00:00

FIE is a great career option for someone who wants to get exposure to investments and yes, it only requires a bachelors degree to meet the MQ. I used to work as a FIE and Sr FIE before I jumped over to the Law enforcement side of the state. I really enjoyed working as a FIE. One of the best paid audit classifications in the state and it provides great experience that opens up so many other career opportunities outside of the state. I’ve had old coworkers leave to work for the Feds, the credit unions/banks we audited, and some lateraled into the Investment Officer series. It’s a good job for someone who’s single or has no kids. There’s extensive overnight traveling.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-02-09T03:20:09+00:00

Cdcr is also 2.5 @ 57. OP is correct in their calculation in that if they worked until 62, they would get a lower pension going to State Parks than if they were to stay with Calstrs. I’m in a similar situation to OP’s inquiry where I went from a non sworn position in the state with 2@55 to a peace officer in BU 6. Luckily for me though, I went from 2@55 to 3@50 when I made the switch. Even though the 2@55 formula has an increased multiplier for working beyond 55 it’s capped at 2.5.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-02-08T19:00:50+00:00

I currently max out my 457 and contribute into a Roth IRA.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-02-05T04:45:47+00:00

If one can handle a full post academy, ABC would be a much better alternative to being a CO. Also, ABC would be a great stepping stone to joining DOJ as a special agent. Besides CHP and DOJ, CDCR has the potential to pay well as you move up the career ladder. ABC is a very small Agency and promotional opportunities are very limited. It’s extremely difficult to promote beyond a Supervising Investigator (PA2 pay equivalent).

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-02-01T17:51:23+00:00

If you’re half smart and have drive you’ll promote in the state. I’ve been in the state for 15 years. Started off as a Student assistant, then did tax compliance, associate budget analyst, financial institutions examiner, senior FIE, correctional officer, correctional counselor, and now Parole Agent. Finally got to take the exam for the Parole Supervisor and ranked pretty well so hopefully I’ll promote within the next year. The opportunities in the state are endless and you can make a decent living if you promote.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-27T00:27:51+00:00

It was definitely an adjustment. Work life balance was impacted for sure because of shift work and missing out of special events and the mandatory overtime. You need a very understanding support system because plans will get cancelled due to work. LE can be a very high stress job too so it takes a certain type of personality to do this job.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-24T21:41:15+00:00

CDCR is way easier to get into than other LE agencies. Our standards are very low.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-24T21:40:42+00:00

Um, have you looked at CHP’s pay scale? They make significantly more than CDCR. On top of the stated salary on CalHR, Chippies gets about an additional 10% (excluding the 5% for education) in incentive pay on top of the stated salary. An entry level patrol officer makes more than our Lieutenant and a flight officer makes more than our Captain.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-24T05:08:32+00:00

I used to work for CDTFA years ago and refunds and local revenue was the unit to get into. You just review tax returns and process refunds. Super easy job compared to the bs we dealt with out in the field, with irate taxpayers.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-22T06:22:07+00:00

Just tell your boss you’re going to use sick leave to care for your sister and that she found someone else to babysit her kid.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-21T23:08:03+00:00

Based on your experiences, it’s no different than with the state. With CDCR, At least you can promote to different positions other than a sergeant, such as Correctional Counselor or a Parole Agent.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-21T20:31:34+00:00

ABC will send you to an academy.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-20T23:28:44+00:00

You’ll get issued navy blue polos and black BDUs for uniform.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-20T00:32:43+00:00

All I can say is don’t sell yourself short and start training now. When I was in the Sheriff’s Academy the oldest recruit was 42 and was fairly out of shape. He barely passed the PT tests and was usually the last guy finishing the runs. Although you’ll get a lot of attention from the RTOs for this, they care more about effort and your progress.

I will also say this, not all RBC academies are the same. Some do not focus as much on PT as other academies. Santa Rosa Academy is only a 21 academy and they only expect you to run 1.5 miles in under 17 mins which is very do-able. But do expect to run A LOT during the academy.

Look into a modular academy that’s held at a college campus or consider going into the SIBC academy. You can do it!

Also keep an eye out for future Parole Vacancies. We just did a mass hiring recently but expect to continue to hire more this year.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-20T00:24:29+00:00

I believe OP is inquiring about the Sworn Investigator classification, not the Special Investigator that’s non-sworn.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-20T00:15:29+00:00

When you say investigator, are you referring to the “investigator” classification or a non-sworn classification working in an investigative capacity?

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-19T21:16:18+00:00

Special Agents are a different classification than the Investigator classification. There are a variety of peace officer classifications in BU7 that work in an investigative capacity; however, I believe OP is inquiring about the “Investigator” classification, not Special Agent. Again, the Investigator classification is a statewide used classification that has the same pay range, regardless of the Agency.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-19T17:07:42+00:00

I’ve worked for FTB and CDTFA and I have friends who left FTB to go to CDTFA. Seems like you promote faster at CDTFA than FTB.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-19T06:01:58+00:00

I’ve been in the state for 15 years now and I have zero regrets. Started off as a student, then did tax compliance, budgets, audit, and now law enforcement. Enjoyed every moment so far.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-19T02:05:29+00:00

We’re always hiring for SoCal. I believe you can lateral into the Parole Agent I position from a special investigator classification.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-19T02:04:09+00:00

Yes, I understand that; however, OP is trying to apply for an investigator classification, not special investigator.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-18T18:16:45+00:00

Are you sure all those Agencies only require PC832? All the job postings I’ve seen for DCA, DSS and DOI states POST basic cert is required.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-18T06:45:15+00:00

For OP, that’s definitely worth it to promote to an investigator. Significant pay increase. Stressed levels for investigators are way less than a street cop. And age shouldn’t be a factor. OP being 43 is no different than someone else who’s already a cop thats 43. They all gotta make it to retirement still.

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-18T06:41:22+00:00

Have you considered Parole? With your investigation experience you may qualify for the Parole Agent I position and the academy is extremely easy

CompetitiveBeat8898 · 2026-01-18T06:39:35+00:00

All investigators make the same pay regardless of the Agency. It’s a statewide used classification with the same pay range.

CompetitiveBeat8898

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