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 to 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.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is an independent, non-partisan oversight agency whose mission is to assist in increasing community trust and ensuring public accountability and transparency in the City of Oakland police force by implementing a fair, thorough, and independent system of civilian oversight of law enforcement. The OIG is focused on using auditing and monitoring tools to provide factual information and recommendations as it relates to policing disparities and deficiencies.

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill three Inspector General Program and Performance Auditor vacancies within the Office of the Inspector General. The ideal candidate will be able to audit, review, identify, and evaluate risk related to police performances, programs, and investigations. The incumbent will perform job duties cautiously yet expeditiously. They will make decisions and evaluate factors associated with decision-making and recommendations as they relate to police reform and oversight. They must also be self-motivated and be able to work independently and in a team setting. They must have familiarity working with confidential data management systems and information without compromising confidentiality, integrity, or the availability of these information assets.

Are you looking to make a difference and have an impact on your community? Come join the City of Oakland and become part of a diverse organization dedicated to the community and employees whom we serve!

• Self-motivated and inspired. Your interest in program and performance auditing and providing the public with a needed service creates enthusiasm and a drive to achieve.
• Organized. You are capable of balancing multiple assignments and priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Your attention to detail ensures work products are timely and accurate.
• Adaptable. You have the ability to be flexible to changing priorities and work assignments, taking instructions from executive-level staff members.
• A strong relationship builder. You possess excellent communication skills, capable of interacting with various departments, directors, community members, and government officials at all levels, consistently demonstrating diplomacy, politeness, and tact.
• Interested in developing their career. You will be given opportunities to attend conferences, trainings, webinars, and special events that bring benefit to you and the Office of the Inspector General.
• Into doing the research! You understand how to locate and identify laws and policies relevant to constitutional policing, police misconduct investigations, and police oversight that are aligned with national best practices.
• Skilled with report writing. You possess strong report-writing skills and consistently compose clear, complete, concise, and accurate reports.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Conducting impartial and objective program and performance evaluations of OPD and CPRA investigative reports against approved policies and procedures.
• Determining whether OPD and CPRA operations are in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, charter provisions, ordinances, and established policies.
• Reviewing and analyzing existing OPD and CPRA policies for possible deficiencies, gaps.
• Developing policies, reviewing priorities and schedules based on current events, community and public input, Police Commission, City Council, and governmental concern, under supervision.
• Reviewing reports, settlement agreements, documents, investigative procedures, and documented police responses against policy and law.
• Compiling policy recommendations and guidance to the Inspector General for review and reporting purposes to the appropriate entity.
• Attending entrance and exit conferences with auditees as needed.
• Preparing work documents, forms, and reports to support findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Determining the adequacy of policies and procedures and modifying audit scopes and objectives with approval.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be a part of a growing and dynamic Office of the Inspector General, conducting police oversight work for Oakland community members.
• Your work will directly impact the City of Oakland’s ability to provide important public services regarding policing and accountability to a community with a rich and dynamic history.
• You will work with people who are passionate about their craft, care about collaboration, and want to be impactful public servants.
• You will have excellent learning opportunities to grow and develop your skills and abilities.
• As a full-service City, Oakland will continually provide you with daily challenges and variety that keep things exciting.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Handling multiple tasks with competing and critical deadlines.
• Navigating complex rules, policies, laws, and labor agreements that govern the Oakland Police Department and the Community Police Review Agency.
• Establishing and maintaining unbiased and impartial collaborative relationships with sworn and professional OPD staff, elected officials, representatives from other organizations and the public.

Competencies Required:

• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data.
• 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.
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization.
• 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.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications.
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing.
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information.

This is a public contact position. Although no current vacancies require a specific language, bilingual skills are highly desirable, and the eligible list may be used to fill future vacancies that may require bilingual skills.

• Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!

Minimum Requirements for Application

Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, business administration, public administration, public policy, economics or a related field. If degree is not in accounting, must have completed and be able to show proof of advanced course work in accounting or auditing. A Master’s Degree in a related field is desirable.

Experience:
Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience as an auditor in a public or private setting, including previous experience with conducting audits, performing analysis of programs and projects, and preparing written recommendations and reports on efficiency and effectiveness measures.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements:
Successful incumbents in this job are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of the assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be a cost-effective or efficient method for traveling to the various locations required. 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:

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in police oversight.
• Possession of one (or more) of the following professional designations is highly desirable:
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Supplemental Information

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff review 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 invited to participate in an online oral examination.

Depending on the number of candidates who pass the oral examination, you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, it will occur in mid to late February. 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.

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.