Senior Investigator

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Boston is seeking an OPAT Investigator to join the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency. You will manage complaint intake, support mediation efforts, and ensure timely documentation for board reviews while maintaining confidentiality.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in related fields, strong communication, and the ability to work under pressure in a busy government office. Boston residency is required.

Qualifications

• Five to seven (5-7) years of relevant experience with a minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory capacity managing staff.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in civil rights or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to work as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Exceptional oral, written, and analytical communication skills.
• Bilingual speaking preferred.
• Ability to maintain well-organized case files and other materials.
• Exercise confidentiality and discretion with highly sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complaint and appeals intake process for the matters that come into OPAT.
• Assist with guiding and mentoring the senior intake specialist by assigning tasks, providing training, and coaching on investigation-related topics.
• Identify cases for potential mediation and assist in coordinating mediations.
• Engage in informal resolution practices to address complaints, concerns, or allegations when appropriate.
• Regularly update the OPAT Backend Complaint Spreadsheet and coordinate with the policy and data team.
• Responsible for the pre- and post execution process for board meetings, including ensuring all case reports are timely printed and ready for board review, assessing and ensuring meeting minutes and board findings are accurate.
• Collaborate and oversee the workload of the fellow investigators, data and policy analysts, the Deputy Director, and the Executive Director to ensure case disposition notices post-board meetings are properly and promptly delivered to all parties, including complainants and officers.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies.
• Approve and assist in publishing all investigative reports on the OPAT website in a timely fashion.

Job description

Overview

The OPAT Investigator will be part of a team working to advance the goals of the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT). OPAT was established in 2020 to provide a single point of entry for individuals with concerns or complaints related to the Boston Police Department and its officers and sworn personnel to be heard and addressed. The position requires a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, patience, and confidentiality. The successful candidate needs to consistently communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complaint and appeals intake process for the matters that come into OPAT.


• Assist with guiding and mentoring the senior intake specialist by assigning tasks, providing training, and coaching on investigation-related topics, and reviewing work performed to provide feedback.


• Identify cases for potential mediation and assist in coordinating mediations.


• Engage in informal resolution practices to address complaints, concerns, or allegations when appropriate.


• Regularly update the OPAT Backend Complaint Spreadsheet and coordinate with the policy and data team.


• Responsible for the pre- and post execution process for board meetings, including ensuring all case reports are timely printed and ready for board review, assessing and ensuring meeting minutes and board findings are accurate.


• Collaborate and oversee the workload of the fellow investigators, data and policy analysts, the Deputy Director, and the Executive Director to ensure case disposition notices post-board meetings are properly and promptly delivered to all parties, including complainants and officers.


• Work collaboratively with other agencies.


• Approve and assist in publishing all investigative reports on the OPAT website in a timely fashion.


• Assist with public record requests by reviewing and redacting materials.


• Assist in drafting, reviewing, or editing regulations, investigative and intake manuals, and other related materials.


• Assist with developing and implementing quality investigation tracking systems and investigative plans.


• Contribute to special initiatives and projects and undertake ad hoc assignments as required.


• Receive, investigate, and manage a caseload of complaints related to allegations of misconduct by the Boston Police Department. Conduct trauma-informed, sensitive investigations that may include alleged discrimination based on race, color, national origin, and/or sex, including sex-based harassment, sexual assault, and relationship violence. Interview the impacted party, the respondent, and relevant witnesses. Gather and ensure evidence is available for review in keeping with OPAT procedures. Act as a neutral party through all aspects of the investigation and ensure a prompt, fair, and neutral process for all parties, advise impacted parties of their rights, and maintain a high level of confidentiality during all proceedings.


• Conduct periodic field investigations at the location of the alleged incident as well as travel to additional locations within the Commonwealth to interview witnesses, assess the scene, take pictures and/or physical measurements, and gather documents and materials, including traveling to various divisions of the Boston Municipal Court and other state, local, and private entities.


• Conduct investigations in a thorough and timely fashion and ensure well-documented compliance investigative processes, all the while maintaining accurate and thorough records and notes of investigatory processes.


• Create comprehensive, high-quality investigative reports and related investigation communications within established timelines that clearly identify the issues investigated, summarize the evidence, and make findings and recommendations in accordance with OPAT policies and guidelines.


• Provide timely updates regarding the status of complaints received and investigations in progress to the Deputy Director.


• Utilize electronic record-keeping systems and produce reports using those systems.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Five to seven (5-7) years of relevant experience with a minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory capacity managing staff.


• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in civil rights or a related field.


• Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to work as part of a team.


• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite.


• Exceptional oral, written, and analytical communication skills.


• Bilingual speaking preferred.


• Ability to maintain well-organized case files and other materials.


• Exercise confidentiality and discretion with highly sensitive information.


• Operate with flexibility and the ability to work long hours.


• Work under pressure and in high-stress situations.


• Familiarity with state and local government operations and processes.


• Strong customer service skills.


• Strong time-management skills to handle multiple tasks, establish priorities according to stated timelines in a busy office, and meet deadlines.


• Ability to think strategically and proactively.


• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Strong problem-solving skills.


• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.


• Effective project management, organization, and analytical skills.


• Strong presentation and facilitation skills with an emphasis on education and training for a variety of constituencies.


• Ability to build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships.


• Demonstrated commitment to an inclusive culture, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies (staff, members of the public, outside stakeholders, Boston Police Department personnel, as well as other representatives from public and private entities) with diplomacy and tact.


• Maintenance of professional qualifications through ongoing training and professional development.


• Ability to act independently, take initiative, and exercise sound judgment.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-8

Hours per week: 35

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.