City of Oakland Hiring for Ethics Investigator at Oakland, CA Full Time

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 Public Ethics Commission?

The PEC is an independent Commission within the City of Oakland, created in 1996 and strengthened in 2014 to ensure compliance with the City of Oakland’s government ethics, campaign finance, transparency, and lobbyist registration laws that aim to promote fairness, openness, honesty, and integrity in City government. The PEC employs a comprehensive, culture-change approach that blends effective prevention, strong enforcement, and collaborative leadership activities to create an ethical culture and build public trust in Oakland.

The City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission (PEC) seeks a determined and fair-minded individual to fill its Ethics Investigator vacancy within the Public Ethics Commission. The ideal candidate will have experience investigating ethics, campaign finance, or transparency violations for a government agency, and interest in and the ability to build the Commission’s investigative unit. An advanced degree or law enforcement background, as well as a passion for government integrity and effectiveness, is strongly desired.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Is

• A skilled investigator and analyst. You will work within the PEC’s Enforcement Unit, which is responsible for conducting investigations, including performing interviews, drafting document requests and subpoenas, conducting research and data analysis, report writing, and developing objective recommendations.
• A talented communicator. You will reach out to a broad audience of public officials, private citizens, and attorneys with varying degrees of familiarity with the PEC’s processes and the laws under its jurisdiction. You will also need to conduct interviews and gather information from witnesses both in and outside of government.
• Self-motivated. Though you will be supervised by the Enforcement Chief, most of your work will be conducted on your own and remotely. You will be expected to complete your assignments with decreasing direct supervision over time.
• Able to handle pressure and conflict. You may be working on complex matters in which there is a high degree of public interest. You will also be interfacing with people who may not wish to fully cooperate with investigations, or who disagree with your evidentiary conclusions. The ability to manage stress in your dealings with PEC staff, investigation subjects, and the public will be essential.
• Confident with public speaking. You may be called upon to present at public meetings, in court, or in administrative hearings.
• A strong writer. Much of your time will be spent writing reports, both for internal review and for public consumption. Your written work will be reviewed for substance, but you are expected to already have the general ability to write with correct spelling and grammar , and the ability to convey information clearly and logically.
• Fair-minded. You will be investigating cases involving subjects across the political spectrum. The ability to set aside personal feelings or preferences when conducting investigations and making recommendations is essential.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Assisting with the Enforcement Chief’s review and processing of complaints submitted to the Commission to assess whether the Commission has legal jurisdiction, conducting preliminary research to determine the type of violation and whether a further investigation is warranted, and recommending the next course of action.
• Tracking complaint intake to ensure timely and accurate response, preparing case files, drafting and sending correspondence, maintaining enforcement database, and communicating with parties as necessary.
• Investigating and gathering comprehensive factual information; interviewing relevant parties, obtaining documentary evidence, conducting research online and in City offices, analyzing the information, and developing a recommendation for case resolution.
• Preparing written summary of facts, initial analysis of the case, and potential staff recommendation.
• Responding to requests for information and assistance on matters related to the Commission’s work and laws within the Commission’s jurisdiction.
• Drafting and serving subpoenas.
• Conducting field investigations as needed, including through the use of a motor vehicle.
• Performing administrative and clerical duties on an as-needed basis when necessary to the Enforcement Unit’s work.

Read The Complete Job Description By Clicking Here .

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Your job schedule is flexible with hybrid telecommute options
• You will have a large degree of autonomy over the scope and conduct of your investigations, under the supervision of the Enforcement Chief.
• You will be performing work of great importance to the people of Oakland, insofar as the Enforcement Unit’s work ensures the integrity of Oakland’s elections and the ethical functioning of its government.
• You will be handling a range of cases concerning diverse subject matters, and involving issues and challenges that can vary from day-to-day. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on new stimulation versus a predictable daily routine.

A Few Challenges You Might Face In This Job

• You will be utilizing limited resources to address program needs.
• You will need to keep abreast of relevant laws and policies.
• You may need to meet tight deadlines at times.
• You may need to confront or gather evidence from parties who disagree with your conclusions or are reluctant to cooperate; a tolerance for conflict, and respectful demeanor with opposing parties, are both essential.
• You will manage multiple competing priorities and projects.

Competencies Required

Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.

Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information.

Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.

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.

Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.

Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.

Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.

Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.

Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing.

Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations.

Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations.

• 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

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 employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

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 criminal law, public policy, political science, journalism, finance, accounting, or a related field.

Experience

Three years of progressively responsible professional investigative experience, preferably in administrative, civil, or criminal law or in investigative journalism. Experience with campaign finance, lobbyist, transparency or ethics laws and regulations is highly desirable.

Desirable Qualifications

• Possession of a Juris Doctor or Master’s degree
• Familiarity with the administration of political campaigns and/or local governmental processes
• Leadership or management certificates
• Experience with campaign finance, lobbyist, transparency or ethics laws and regulations is highly desirable
• Bilingual skills desirable

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.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a Writing Assessment, which will then be evaluated and scored by subject matter experts. You’ll have 7 days to complete the assessment once it is sent to your email. This is tentatively planned to launch during the week of August 21, 2023.

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.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

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 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov’s 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.

The City of Oakland is an EEO/ADA Employer.

The City complies with all Federal, State and local laws mandating Equal Employment Opportunities. All qualified applicants will be considered in accordance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Benefits May Include*

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.

• 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: 8/14/2023 11:59 PM Pacific Salary: $99,563.16 – $122,243.88 Annually