Career Opportunity

Senior Investigator and Legal Analyst, SF Ethics Commission (Job Class 1823)

Recruitment: RTF0121624-01149105

Published: May 09, 2022

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Application Opening: 4/18/2022

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Compensation Range: $105,118 - $127,738/annual

Recruitment ID: PEX-1823-121625

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

The San Francisco Ethics Commission was created by the City’s voters with the passage of Proposition K in November 1993. Our mission is to practice and promote the highest standards of integrity in government. We achieve that by shaping and promoting compliance with the laws and by delivering impactful programs that promote fair, transparent, and accountable governmental decision making for the benefit of all San Franciscans. Through its 33-member staff, the Ethics Commission is responsible for the independent and impartial administration and enforcement of laws related to campaign finance, public financing of candidates, governmental ethics, conflicts of interest, and registration and reporting by lobbyists, campaign consultants, permit consultants, and major developers.

The Ethics Commission is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining and a diverse, collaborative, and high performing staff of individuals whose individual experiences, knowledge, and talents collectively drive achievement of the Commission’s unique mission in San Francisco city government. We honor and value diversity, inclusion, and engagement, and are committed to promoting racial equity and to creating and sustaining a work environment that reflects and engages the diversity of our communities. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commission provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability,  genetics, or any other protected category.

ABOUT THE TEAM

To fulfill the Ethics Commission’s oversight mandate as an independent administrative enforcement agency, the Enforcement Division is charged with ensuring fair, thorough, and timely investigations and case outcomes that serve as an effective deterrent and promote accountability in government. The Division has responsibility to identify, investigate, and pursue penalties for unlawful conduct within the scope of the Commission’s jurisdiction. The Division’s investigators are responsible for fully and objectively investigating potential violations of the law to ensure that those who violate the law are held publicly accountable for their actions, which can include imposition of monetary penalties levied by the five-member Ethics Commission as provided for under the law.

In an era that has challenged the public’s faith in government, the oversight and accountability work of the Enforcement Division plays a vital role in supporting the Ethics Commission’s core mission to help build trust in governmental institutions.

Role description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Commission is seeking a Senior Investigator & Legal Analyst with solid analytical and investigative skills, exceptional judgment, and a demonstrated commitment to accountable government to perform highly complex, sensitive, and detailed investigations. As a member of the Enforcement Division, the Senior Investigator & Legal Analyst will play a central role in developing the Commission’s capacity to identify, investigate, and resolve matters of significant complexity and heightened public harm, including by initiating new matters based on self-generated leads.

This position reports to the Ethics Commission’s Director of Enforcement. As with all positions at the Ethics Commission, the Senior Investigator & Legal Analyst must be willing to forego involvement in all local political activity while a member of the Commission staff.  In addition, to support objectivity in the Commission’s enforcement work, this position is among those designated in the Ethics Commission’s Conflict of Interest Code as a position required to file a public Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) to ensure that any possible conflicts of interests between personal financial interests and governmental duties can be detected and avoided.

Important and Essential Duties

Essential duties of the position include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct complex investigations of alleged violations of ethics, conflicts of interest, campaign finance, lobbying, whistleblower protection, and public disclosure laws.
• Identify potential violations of the law, both by evaluating complaints filed with the Commission and through proactive investigative work.
• Develop an investigative strategy to evaluate allegations, evidence, law, and policies and apply sound independent judgment to determine matters to be opened as investigations by the Enforcement Division.
• Perform highly complex, sensitive, and detailed investigative and/or legal research pertaining to alleged violations of the law to support the effectiveness of the Ethics Commission’s mandate as an independent administrative enforcement agency.
• Identify and obtain a wide range of information and source documents to elicit factual information and evaluate compliance with laws within the Commission’s jurisdiction, including through investigative research, document requests, the exercise of subpoena power, and witness interviews.
• Communicate with the subjects of investigations and their representatives.
• Analyze and evaluate data and information to identify facts and develop evidence-based conclusions.
• Collaborate with other Division members to develop investigative strategies and case theories.
• Prepare and present investigative reports, including detailed exhibits to summarize complex data and other relevant information and document findings, and make recommendations to resolve investigative outcomes, including advising the Director of Enforcement and Executive Director regarding potential dismissals, warning letters, probable cause, and penalties.
• In coordination with the Director of Enforcement develop, negotiate, and present written stipulated settlements for Commission consideration.
• Duties may also include presenting cases before the Executive Director and the Ethics Commission through formal conferences and hearings.
• Perform administrative and management duties as assigned, including regular progress updates and assisting management in program reporting and resource planning.
• Act as an investigative, enforcement and/or legal affairs resource as assigned for other units at the Commission to provide general enforcement context for policy development or other matters.
• Represent Enforcement Division or Ethics Commission with other city departments or external parties, including the Controller’s, City Attorney’s, and District Attorney’s Offices, as assigned.
• Promote knowledge sharing among staff members and assist in cross-training team members on policies, procedures, regulations, systems, operations, and processes related to programs administered.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, senior management, representatives of other departments/agencies, officials, contractors, and the public to achieve organizational goals.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information obtained through the course of completing assignments while working comfortably in an open government environment.
• Supervise and train interns, temporary staff, or other staff on project basis, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including periodic attendance and/or presentation at Commission meetings

How to qualify

Highly Desirable Qualifications

During the selection process the following desirable qualifications may be used to identify applicants selected to become a job finalist.

• Possession of a Law degree or Master’s degree in Public or Business Administration or a closely related field.
• Prior professional experience planning and performing complex investigations, research, and analysis and developing well-supported findings and recommendations.
• Prior professional experience working on matters involving governmental ethics, campaign finance, lobbying or in related areas of government oversight.
• Prior professional experience working in an oversight, regulatory, administrative, or law enforcement agency.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and complete projects with high quality and on time, including effective use of organizational systems to regularly track and report on progress toward established goals and objectives.
• Experience working objectively, efficiently, and effectively under strict deadlines and in highly visible, highly sensitive or highly politicized settings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Knowledge of methods and principles used in complex investigative and/or legal research and analysis.
• Experience planning and performing complex investigative and/or legal research and analysis.
• Experience gathering a wide array of source data on complex issues to identify relevant facts and evaluate compliance with applicable laws and policies, including by eliciting factual information through investigative interviews.
• Ability to objectively evaluate testimonial and documentary evidence, and to independently apply a broad knowledge base, strong reasoning skills, and sound judgment.
• Ability to read, understand, and accurately apply provisions of complex laws to complex or unclear facts and discern instances or patterns of non-compliance.
• Orientation to detail and ability to synthesize analysis and to develop findings and recommendations that are supported by strong research.
• Ability to structure and write investigative reports and other documents with appropriate supporting analysis that present clear and concise findings and recommendations.
• Ability to prepare and make clear and concise presentations.
• Strong computer and data analysis skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (in particular Excel), are required. Familiarity with PowerBI, Tableau, or other statistical and analytical tools is a plus.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, exercise initiative, and complete multiple competing projects within established timeframes and shifting priorities while also ensuring accurate, high-quality work products.
• Ability to develop and maintain organizational systems to ensure effective tracking and reporting toward program goals and objectives.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships that foster engagement and creative problem-solving as a member of a diverse staff team.
• Ability to work comfortably within an open government environment while also maintaining confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work objectively in a politically sensitive environment and a willingness to forego all local political activity.
• Ability to exhibit professionalism and respect in politically sensitive and highly visible contexts.
• Ability to exercise tact, sound independent judgment, and the highest standards of integrity in carrying out duties.

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.

1.       Possession of a graduate degree (Master's degree or higher) from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of full-time equivalent experience performing professional level analytical work as described in Note A: OR

2.       Possession of a graduate degree (Master's degree or higher) from an accredited college or university with major college coursework as described in Note B and two (2) years full-time equivalent experience performing professional level analytical work as described in Note A; OR

3.       Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years full-time equivalent experience performing professional level analytical work as described in Note A; OR

4.       Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major college coursework as described in Note B and three (3) years full-time equivalent performing professional level analytical work as described in Note A 

SUBSTITUTION: Applicants may substitute up to 2 years of the required education with additional qualifying experience in budget analysis, financial analysis and reporting, legislative/policy analysis, or contract/grant administration. One year (2000 hours) of additional qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to 30 semester units/45 quarter units.

Notes on Qualifying Experience and Education:

A. Qualifying professional-level analytical experience must be in one or more of the following functional areas: complex budget analysis, development and administration; complex financial/fiscal analysis and reporting; development of complex contracting systems and administration of competitive bid processes and complex contractual agreements; development and evaluation of complex management/administrative policy; complex grant administration and monitoring; complex program evaluation and planning; complex legislative analysis; complex economic analysis; or other functional areas related to the duties of positions in Class 1823, where the primary focus of the job is complex professional-level analysis for evaluation, recommendation, development and implementation of major programs and functions of department/organization. Analytical experience equivalent to the duties of Class 1822 is considered qualifying.

B. Coursework applicable to a baccalaureate or higher degree in specialized subject matter areas such as public or business administration, management, business law, contract law, public policy, urban studies, economics, statistical analysis, finance, accounting or other fields of study closely related to the essential functions of positions in Class 1823.

What else should I know?

How To Apply

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process.  Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.  Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen.  Please submit the following documents on your application.

1. Statement of Interest that details your interest in the position and relevant work experiences, including any related to accountable government or public integrity.
2. Current Resume

Applications that do not contain the requested information will not be considered.

Complete applications will be reviewed as they are received and applicants selected to advance to the interview process will be contacted by phone or email.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at Rie Butler and rie.butler@sfgov.org.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.  All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.