Complaint Investigator II (Extended) at City of Oakland – Oakland, California

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's Community Police Review Agency?
Are you experienced in managing complex civil, administrative, or criminal investigations? Do you have a passion for police accountability and a desire to improve police policies, practices, systems, and structures in Oakland? Are you skilled in conducting interviews on sensitive or complex topics, particularly with individuals from historically marginalized communities? If so, the City of Oakland's Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) is looking for you!

We are currently recruiting to fill multiple Complaint Investigator II positions within the CPRA. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill both bilingual and non-bilingual vacancies. The ideal candidate will possess a solid understanding of investigative case management, best practices for administrative investigations into alleged police misconduct, and constitutional rights violations.

The CPRA is an independent oversight agency that investigates complaints of misconduct by officers of the Oakland Police Department to ensure constitutional policing and accountability. Our mandate includes investigating allegations of improper use of force, in-custody deaths, profiling based on any protected characteristics as defined by federal, state, or local laws, and issues related to First Amendment assemblies.

If you’re ready to make a difference in advancing justice and reform, consider joining our team!

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in evidence collection and assessment. You must be able to conduct witness interviews and actively seek out evidence to complete thorough investigations.
• Able to identify issues and apply rules. You must be able to investigate and analyze complex information to draw accurate conclusions and make written findings.
• Able to work independently. You must be able to effectively manage and prioritize a caseload of multiple concurrent investigations from start to finish with focus, organization, and flexibility.
• A highly skilled writer. You must be able to write detailed, well-organized reports that are clear and logical with an evidence-based analysis for a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong communicator. You must be able to clearly convey information, actively listen, and adapt your communication style with a variety of internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Experienced in the legal field. You will be able to leverage your legal expertise to navigate the complexities of police accountability.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Researching and analyzing Oakland Police Department policies, procedures, and applicable laws to draft your investigative reports.
• Conducting interviews with police personnel as subjects and witnesses of complaints.
• Interviewing complainants from diverse backgrounds.
• Weighing evidence to conduct impartial, thorough, and timely investigations of complaints.
• Drafting comprehensive investigative reports, making recommendations and findings, and reviewing materials related to investigations.
• Reviewing and analyzing evidence (i.e. officer body-worn camera, police reports, officer statements, complainant statements, medical records, or surveillance video).
• Presenting oral presentations regarding your investigations and findings.

Read the complete job description: Complaint Investigator II.

Watch this video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work for a trailblazing police oversight agency.
• You will collaborate with a team of dedicated professionals passionate about public service and police reform.
• You will engage with diverse communities and a city committed to improving residents’ lives.

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 work with individuals who have opposing perspectives.

Competencies required:

• 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
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Managing & Facilitating Change: Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• 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
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

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. The department is filling one or more positions that 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.



Desirable Qualifications:

• Oral and written bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin
• Good standing with the California State Bar Association
• Strong research and writing skills
• Legal brief writing experience
• Public service experience
• 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.

Oral and written bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin 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.
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 sent a writing exercise (weighted 100%), which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent is late April 2026.

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?

• 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.

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA

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 thos job announcement and allow at least 3 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.

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 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 Angela Lee, Human Resources Analyst, at alee@oaklandca.gov.