Complaint Investigator III

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) ?
Do you have experience managing complex civil, administrative, or criminal investigations? Do you have passion and interest in the work involved with police accountability? Are you interested in improving police policies, practices, systems, and structures in the City of Oakland? Do you have strong interpersonal skills, including demonstrated experience interviewing individuals about sensitive and/or complex topics, including working with and/or engaging with people from historically marginalized communities?

The City of Oakland is recruiting to fill one (1) Complaint Investigator III vacancy within the CPRA. The ideal candidate has a solid understanding of investigative case management and best practices relating to the administrative investigation of alleged police misconduct, including constitutional violations.

As a Complaint Investigator III, you will be responsible for managing, supervising, and conducting complex and sensitive investigations of complaints regarding a broad range of alleged misconduct by sworn members of the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

The incumbent is responsible for overseeing case intake, critically evaluating complaints, pursuing and gathering relative and probative factual information from a variety of sources, analyzing facts, reviewing and applying appropriate policies, and submitting comprehensive and objective written reports making recommendations on complaints in a timely manner, considering applicable statues of limitations and tolling provisions.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Interested in police accountability and independent civilian oversight. Your interest can help the Community Police Review Agency’s work in ensuring constitutional policing, transparency, and accountability within the Oakland Police Department.
• Committed to advancing racial equity. You are committed to understanding the historical harm policing has caused in marginalized BIPOC communities and able to discern systematic issues including racial profiling and discrimination.
• An exceptional communicator and writer. You can articulate and prepare written analyses and advice in a clear and concise manner.
• Self-aware. You can approach problems and police misconduct allegations from different perspectives by managing and addressing preconceived biases
• Self-motivated. You can take initiative, act independently, and exercise sound judgment.
• Adaptable. You can adapt to ongoing developments in policies, rules, procedures, and/or laws.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Managing investigations to ensure high-quality results
• Coaching investigators and intake staff to reflect agency goals
• Reviewing complex investigative reports
• Consulting with legal counsel as necessary

Read the complete job description by clicking here Complaint Investigator III
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• In this newly created position, you will have the opportunity to help develop the vision and shape the way we approach civilian oversight.
• You will work for a trailblazing community-centered police oversight agency.
• You will join a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about public service and police reform.
• Your contributions will directly affect Oakland residents who are most impacted by policing.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need to manage and prioritize critical deadlines while navigating complex policies, rules, laws, and/or procedures.
• You will work with individuals with opposing perspectives.
• You will help to repair and restore trust with marginalized BIPOC communities historically impacted by policing.
• As agency staffing fluctuates, you may need to work through ambiguity and help define the position.

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Organizational Systems Thinking: Comprehending the organization as a system of integrated and interdependent functions

Minimum Requirements for Application

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! Some positions may 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.

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, behavioral science, political science or a related field. Master's or law degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Five (5) 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:

• Strong research and writing skills
• Previous experience with public service
• Previous civilian oversight experience

License or Certificate / Other Requirements
Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.

Other Requirements

Oral and written bilingual skills in Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese are highly desirable. Other languages may be added to comply with the City's Equal Access Ordinance or other relevant legislation or department needs.

Incumbents will be expected to work nights and weekends as necessary.

Per Oakland City Charter Section 604(e)7): Must pass a thorough background investigation. This background investigation is not conducted by the Oakland Police Department, but by a neutral third-party contractor that reports directly to the Community Police Review Agency.

Supplemental Information

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 invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam). The tentative date of the structured interview is the last week of January.

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.

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 a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you?

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Briana Wongat bwong@oaklandca.gov.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

Closing Date/Time: 1/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Oakland

Show more