Mendocino County supervisors unanimously approved a new Senior District Attorney Investigator classification and related changes to the district attorney investigator series, a measure county human resources and the district attorney's office said will strengthen on-site leadership in geographically isolated locations such as the Mendocino Coast.

Human resources manager Brandy Delzel described the proposal as “a request of a new classification, for a senior district attorney investigator, which is to strengthen the operational support, particularly in the areas where direct supervisory oversight is limited.” She said the position would not have formal supervisory responsibilities but would serve in a lead capacity to “offer direction, coordination, and guidance to professional, technical, and support staff.”

Delzel said the updated specifications also modernize the existing District Attorney Investigator and Supervising District Attorney Investigator classifications by removing outdated child-support duties and clarifying minimum qualifications to create a logical progression in the series. She stated the minimum requirement for the proposed senior classification is an associate’s degree in a related field and relevant field experience.

Andy Alvarado, chief of investigations for the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office, told the board the change responds to staffing realities on the coast, where turnover among local law enforcement has increased. He said the investigator based on the Mendocino Coast has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience and “has been operating, what I consider to be above his DA investigator classification.” Alvarado said the senior classification would give that investigator a designation more aligned with the duties he routinely performs, including liaising with police chiefs, state parks command and other stakeholders.

Alvarado also said the DA office does not currently intend to backfill the investigator's current post if the incumbent moves into the new classification; whether the position is filled by promotion or external hire would be up to the department.

A motion to approve the Senior District Attorney Investigator classification specification and the modifications to the investigator series was moved and seconded (movers not specified in the transcript). Roll call recorded votes as: Commissioner Wiley — Yes; Commissioner Slater — Aye; Commissioner Whitaker — Aye; “Mister Ebiam” — Yes; Commissioner Rose — Yes. The motion carried unanimously.

No members of the public spoke on the item. Human resources and the DA's office will update classification specifications and wage-scale entries per the board's approval.