Complaint Investigator
City of Austin Austin, TX, United States
- Location: Austin, TX, United States
- Categories: Criminology and Forensics
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Mar 25, 2025
Job Description:
Complaint Investigator
Description
Minimum QualificationsEducation and/or Equivalent Experience:
- Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Political Science, or a related field plus two (2) years of professional paid experience in civil or criminal investigation or related field where the responsibility includes evidence gathering, evidence evaluation, and disposition recommendations.
- Graduation with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
Licenses or Certifications:
- Must complete Department approved Interview and Investigative Administrative training.
The mission of the Office of Police Oversight ( OPO ) is to provide impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department’s ( APD ) conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public to increase transparency, and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community. When people have concerns or complaints about potential police misconduct, those concerns need to be heard, investigated, and resolved. At OPO , everything we do is to promote an atmosphere of earned trust between Austinites and APD .
Under general supervision, this position will be responsible for providing impartial investigations of complaints of alleged police misconduct which are filed with the Office of Police Oversight ( OPO ). This position will monitor, review, and conduct administrative investigations of both internal and external complaints filed with the OPO related to police misconduct. They will develop, plan, organize, and conduct in-depth reviews and analyses of sensitive deadly force incidents, including officer-involved shooting and critical incidents to ensure investigations are handled, appropriately and in compliance with the Austin Police Department ( APD ) protocols, policies, and procedures. They will formulate objective recommendations based on critical analysis and deliver to both OPO and APD leadership. Important attributes include objectivity, attention to details, motivated, dependability, effective communication, and Spanish speaking.
When completing the City of Austin employment application:
The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please complete the application in its entirety.
- Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
- A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates.
- A résumé is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.
If you are selected as a top candidate:
- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
- And are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
Travel:
If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
Successful candidates must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems ( CJIS ) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.
To view the City of Austin Recruitment Video, please click here!
Benefits:
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click HERE for more information.
Pay Range
$29.23 - $36.54
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Depending on business needs, telework up to two days a week may be possible after the successful completion of a six-month training period.
Evenings and weekends may be required based on business and operational needs.
Job Close Date 04/10/2025 Type of Posting External Department Management Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 1520 Rutherford Ln, Austin, TX 78754 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:
- Experience in an investigative role investigating civil rights, human rights, or personnel investigations.
- Expert analytical and organizational skills for collecting and interpreting evidence.
- Strong interview skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to travel to more than one work location.
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Interprets Federal, State, and local laws/ordinances concerning police conduct. Aid complainants filing complaints with the Office of Police Oversight ( OPO ) and provide referrals to other appropriate oversight departments or agencies as necessary. Monitor, review, and conduct administrative Investigations of both internal and external complaints filed with the OPO related to police misconduct jointly with Austin Police Department ( APD ) Internal Affairs Division. Develop, plan, organize, and conduct in-depth reviews and analyses of sensitive deadly force incidents, including officer-involved shooting and critical incidents to ensure investigations are handled. appropriately and in compliance with the Austin Police Department protocols, policies, and procedures. Formulate objective recommendations based on critical analysis and deliver to both OPO and APD Leadership. Independently assess APD , including Internal Affairs division records, reports, findings in accordance with established OPO standards and guidelines. Monitors and reviews Internal Affairs investigations of citizen complaints by participating in interviews and reviewing evidence to ensure the investigation is thorough and fair. Prepare and present a variety of complex written reports to City leadership, City Council, Boards and Commissions and Community Police Review Commission. Confers with involved parties to discuss resolution of complaints.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
- None.
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of conducting an investigation including conducting interviews, research and data investigation, analysis of information, and preparing thorough and objective recommendations.
- Knowledge of principles, interpretation, and administration of applicable polices, City Code, State, and Federal regulations and guidelines.
- Knowledge of and ability to apply principles and practices of public administration including the maintenance of public records and treatment of confidential information.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
- Skill in using computers and related software.
- Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
- Skill in planning and organizing.
- Ability to interview effectively and analytically.
- Ability to define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound, independent conclusions, and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and policies.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex laws and regulations and evaluate and review complaints.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and files.
- Ability to use tact and diplomacy in interviewing individuals from diverse backgrounds while remaining calm and impartial during sensitive, confrontational, and stressful situations.
- Ability to meet critical deadlines, manage time effectively and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, present information, and recommendations clearly and persuasively in public setting.
- Ability to collaborate with communities of color and people traditionally underrepresented in local decision-making; facilitate inclusive participation in programs and activities; communicate cross culturally.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with peers.
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Political Science, or a related field plus two (2) years of professional paid experience in civil or criminal investigation or related field where the responsibility includes evidence gathering, evidence evaluation, and disposition recommendations. Graduation with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. Do you meet the minimum qualifications?
- Yes
- No
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience using analytical and organizational skills for collecting and interpreting evidence.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires you to conduct interviews as part of the investigation process. Please describe your experience and interviewing.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills. Please describe your verbal and written communications skills.
(Open Ended Question)
* Why is civilian oversight of a municipal police department important?
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) to be hired.
- I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS-Criminal Background Investigation).
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents Resume Cover Letter Optional Documents