Oakland Public Ethics Commission Investigator

The Position

PLEASE APPLY THROUGH THIS WEBSITE: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oaklandca/jobs/4974000-0/ethics-investigator-extended

Applications filed any other way will not be considered.

**Filing Period Extended***

The filing deadline has been extended

Candidates that previously applied to this recruitment do not need to reapply

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 Public Ethics Commission (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 PEC seeks a determined and fair-minded individual to join us in our mission to uphold the values of integrity and accountability within Oakland government. 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. If you have a passion for government integrity and effectiveness, we encourage you to apply!

We are looking for someone who is:

• A skilled investigator and analyst. You will be conducting interviews with respondents and witnesses, conducting online research, and analyzing data and translating the findings to develop recommendations for prosecution and resolution of complaints.
• A talented communicator. You will be reaching 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, assess credibility, and gather information from witnesses, both in and outside of government.
• Self-motivated. Most of your work will be performed independently. You’ll be expected to manage your time effectively, plan tasks to meet deadlines, identify new areas for investigation, and complete assignments with increasing autonomy over time.
• Able to handle pressure and conflict. You may be working on complex matters with a significant amount of public interest. You will also interact with people who may not wish to fully cooperate with investigations or who disagree with your evidentiary conclusions.
• Confident in public speaking. You may be called upon to present at public meetings, in court, or at administrative hearings.
• A strong writer. You will spend much of your time writing investigative reports, both for internal review and for public consumption, drafting document requests and subpoenas, and writing legal analyses. It is important that you write compellingly, with correct spelling and grammar, to clearly and logically convey information.
• Fair-minded. You will be investigating cases involving subjects across the political spectrum, so it is crucial that you are able to set aside personal feelings or preferences when conducting investigations and making recommendations.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Assisting with reviewing and processing of complaints submitted to the Commission to assess whether the Commission has legal jurisdiction, identifying potential legal violations, 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 the enforcement database and case files, 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 a written summary of facts and investigation, and preparing a legal analysis and recommendation, under the supervision of the Enforcement Chief.
• Drafting and serving subpoenas.
• Conducting field investigations, as needed.
• Assisting with reviewing and proposing improvements to the investigative and case resolution processes, including the Commission’s hearing process.
• Performing administrative and clerical duties as needed.

Read the complete job description by clicking here.

• 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:

• You will have a flexible schedule with hybrid telecommute options.
• You will have a large degree of autonomy over the scope and conduct of your investigations.
• The work you perform will have a great impact on and for the people we serve by ensuring the integrity of Oakland’s elections and the ethical functions of its government.
• You will handle a range of cases with diverse subject matters, issues, and challenges; ideal for someone who thrives on varied day-to-day experience.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need to be proactive and self-directed in learning procedures and navigating cases, as formal training may be limited due to resource constraints.
• You will need to keep abreast of relevant laws and policies.
• You will need to manage multiple competing priorities and projects, and sometimes need to meet tight deadlines.
• You may need to engage with parties who disagree with your conclusions or are reluctant to cooperate, so it is important for you to have a tolerance for conflict and a respectful demeanor with opposing parties.

Competencies Required:

• 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.
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question.
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations.
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations.
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information.
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing.

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.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be 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 investigative journalism.

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.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Possession of a Juris Doctor or master’s degree
• Experience working on matters involving governmental ethics, campaign finance, lobbying, or in related areas of government oversight.
• Experience working in an oversight, regulatory, administrative, or law enforcement agency.
• Experience with organizational systems to regularly track and report on progress toward established goals and objectives.
• Experience working under strict deadlines and in highly visible, sensitive, or politicized settings.
• Bilingual skills