Complaint Investigator II (Extended) - Government Jobs : Job Details

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. The City of Oakland is looking for you to join the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA). Are you experienced in managing complex civil, administrative, or criminal investigations? Do you have a passion for police accountability and a desire to improve police policies, practices, systems, and structures in Oakland? Are you skilled in conducting interviews on sensitive or complex topics, particularly with individuals from historically marginalized communities? If so, the City of Oakland's CPRA is looking for you!

We are currently recruiting to fill multiple Complaint Investigator II positions within the CPRA. The lists established from this recruitment will be used to fill both bilingual and non-bilingual vacancies. The ideal candidate will possess a solid understanding of investigative case management, best practices for administrative investigations into alleged police misconduct, and constitutional rights violations.

The CPRA is an independent oversight agency that investigates complaints of misconduct by officers of the Oakland Police Department to ensure constitutional policing and accountability. Our mandate includes investigating allegations of improper use of force, in-custody deaths, profiling based on any protected characteristics as defined by federal, state, or local laws, and issues related to First Amendment assemblies.

If you're ready to make a difference in advancing justice and reform, consider joining our team.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in evidence collection and assessment. You must be able to conduct witness interviews and actively seek out evidence to complete thorough investigations.
• Able to identify issues and apply rules. You must be able to investigate and analyze complex information to draw accurate conclusions and make written findings.
• Able to work independently. You must be able to effectively manage and prioritize a caseload of multiple concurrent investigations from start to finish with focus, organization, and flexibility.
• A highly skilled writer. You must be able to write detailed, well-organized reports that are clear, logical with an evidence-based analysis for a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong communicator. You must be able to clearly convey information, actively listen, and adapt your communication style with a variety of internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• A law degree holder. You will be able to leverage your legal expertise to navigate the complexities of police accountability.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Researching and analyzing Oakland Police Department policies, procedures, and applicable laws to draft your investigative report.
• Conducting interviews with police personnel as subjects and witnesses of complaints.
• Interviewing complainants from diverse backgrounds.
• Weighing evidence to conduct impartial, thorough, and timely investigations of complaints.
• Drafting comprehensive investigative reports, making recommendations and findings, and reviewing materials related to investigations.
• Reviewing and analyzing evidence (i.e. officer body-worn camera, police reports, officer statements, complainant statements, medical records, or surveillance video).
• Presenting oral presentations regarding your investigations and findings.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work for a trailblazing police oversight agency.
• You will collaborate with a team of dedicated professionals passionate about public service and police reform.
• You will have the opportunity to engage with diverse communities and a city committed to improving residents' lives.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need to manage and prioritize critical deadlines.
• You will navigate complex policies, rules, laws, and/or procedures.
• You will work with individuals with opposing perspectives.

Competencies required:

• Adaptability : Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail : Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Building & Maintaining Relationships : Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Critical Thinking : Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Customer Focus : Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Decision Making : Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Fact Finding : Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation : Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Managing & Facilitating Change : Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change
• Oral Communication : Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional & Technical Expertise : Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Professional Impact : Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Professional Integrity & Ethics : Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Valuing Diversity : Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Writing : Communicating effectively in writing

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process. This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! The department is filling one or more positions that require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, behavioral science, political science, or a related field.

Experience: Three years of professional full-time paid experience in civil or criminal investigation or related field where the responsibility includes evidence gathering, evidence evaluation, and disposition recommendation.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Oral and written bilingual skills in Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese
• Good standing with the California State Bar Association
• Strong research and writing skills
• Legal brief writing experience
• Public service experience
• Civilian oversight experience

The recruitment process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the minimum qualifications listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is late July.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a restricted posting and you are eligible as