CPRA Chief of Special Investigations and Training (Project Manager II)

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?
The Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) is a civilian-run, community-centered police oversight agency that investigates allegations of Oakland Police Department (OPD) misconduct. CPRA’s mission is to achieve fairness, impartiality, and timeliness in its investigations to strengthen police accountability, and to ensure constitutional policing that respects the civil rights of the people of Oakland. CPRA is required to investigate public complaints involving uses of force, in-custody deaths, profiling based on any of the protected characteristics identified by federal, state, or local law, untruthfulness, and First Amendment assemblies. CPRA may also investigate alleged misconduct as directed by the Commission.

The City of Oakland is recruiting to fill one Project Manager II (Select Certification - Chief of Special Investigations and Training) vacancy within the CPRA. The ideal candidate has a robust understanding of the laws and best practices relating to the administrative investigation of alleged police misconduct.

As the Chief of Special Investigations and Training you will assist and direct CPRA investigators regarding investigations into alleged police misconduct; create, develop, and implement comprehensive policies and training materials to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the investigative process; prepare long-range plans in coordination with the Police Department, Office of the City Attorney, Police Commission, and other divisions and public agencies with respect to the City's strategy to successfully resolve the Delphine Allen Negotiated Settlement Agreement.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Committed to police accountability and independent civilian oversight. Your commitment 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:

• Training investigative staff on investigation procedures, constitutional policing, and disciplinary processes.
• Developing investigative staff skillsets to improve interviewing and report writing.
• Coaching investigative staff to advance independence, impartiality, and sound logic in investigative practices.
• Consulting with and advising CPRA Executive Director regarding best practices in police accountability and independent civilian oversight.
• Working with CPRA Legal Counsel to develop policies, procedures, and practices to improve agency effectiveness.
• Coordinating with other City departments, as directed by the Executive Director, to further City and agency goals.

Read the general job description by clicking **this link**

*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 work for an impactful 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.
• In this newly created position, you will have the opportunity to help develop the vision and shape the way we approach civilian oversight.

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 face challenges repairing and restoring trust with marginalized BIPOC communities historically impacted by policing, and will work with individuals with opposing perspectives.
• As the first person permanently fulfilling this position, you will need to proactively work with the Executive Director and other staff to help define the position’s role in the investigative process.

Competencies Required:

• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Business Process Analysis: Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims Industry Monitoring: Grasping the external political, economic, competitive, and social factors affecting the industry
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
• Organizational Systems Thinking: Comprehending the organization as a system of integrated and interdependent functions
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• 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
• 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.

This recruitment is being announced in accordance with Section 5.03 of the Civil Service Rules . The eligible list generated from this announcement will only be used to fill Project Manager II positions specializing in CPRA Special Investigations and Training , including full-time and permanent part-time positions, if applicable, and may be used to fill future vacancies with the same Selective Certification .

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 or business administration or other relevant degree for particular project assignment. A law degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in area(s) related to the particular project assignment, such as but limited to the fields of criminal, administrative and/or civil investigations; court-ordered supervision of local government akin to the Delphine Allen NSA; supervision of government contracts and vendors; public budgeting; public safety oversight; and public policy development especially with respect to policing and/or oversight.

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.

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.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous civilian oversight experience
• A degree from an accredited school of law
• Previous public service experience
• Strong research and writing skills
• Previous investigative experience
• Experience training civilian oversight investigators

Supplemental Information

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 , w hich 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 the week of January 13, 2025 .

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment ( writing exercise ) 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
  

• 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 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 Aletta Francis at AFrancis@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: 12/20/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Oakland

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