Attorney III - Law Enforcement Auditor

Position Information

The County of Sonoma Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) seeks an experienced attorney to join their Audit and Investigations team!

Starting salary up to $94.43/hour ($197,086/year) and a competitive total compensation package!

Applicants with bilingual (English/Spanish)* skills are encouraged to apply.

IOLERO's staff work diligently to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Established in 2015 as an independent, non-police County agency, IOLERO is responsible for reviewing complaints against the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, making policy recommendations to the Sheriff's Office, and conducting community outreach. With IOLERO’s high-profile focus on promoting greater transparency of law enforcement operations, these law enforcement auditor positions will play a key role in assessing and auditing public complaints and investigations related to law enforcement personnel misconduct.

The ideal attorney for this position will have one or more years of experience in the practice areas of civil rights and/or criminal law cases, which included working with individuals of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. They will possess strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, impartiality, keen observation skills, high emotional quotient, and a commitment to transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
Additionally, highly qualified candidates will demonstrate the ability to:

• Perform sensitive inquiries into allegations of misconduct and other operational issues in order to ensure compliance with related Federal and State laws, County Ordinances, law enforcement policies, and IOLERO’s internal protocols
• Conduct legal research, and assess and submit recommendations regarding policies, practices, procedures, strategies, and training intended to reduce incidents or allegations of law enforcement misconduct
• Stay in front of issues and legislation as they develop, track law enforcement audit trends, and advise the Director of IOLERO on factors that may impact the functions of the Office
• Work collaboratively with community groups and law enforcement to provide education on law enforcement challenges, incident trends, practices, policies, and strategies
• Assist in the preparation of the Office’s annual report and other periodic reports to the Board of Supervisors and the public
• Support the Director's outreach goals to collaborate with community members and law enforcement staff, and attend Community Advisory Council meetings and other community outreach events

Please note: Due to the nature of the case audit and legal work performed, the pre-employment requirements of these positions outlines that qualified candidates must have:

• Current active membership in the State Bar of California
• A Juris Doctor degree or equivalent from an accredited U.S. law school
• Two or more years of experience as a licensed attorney, typically in civil rights and/or criminal law, and experience working with individuals of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• The ability to successfully complete a thorough background investigation
• Not been a sworn law enforcement officer within the last five years
• Zero immediate family members (defined as spouse, child, sibling, parent) who are currently employed in sworn law enforcement positions

Depending upon experience, we are hiring an attorney at the II or III level. If you are interested in applying at the II level of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate recruitment being conducted for that level.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

The Office

The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) is a civilian review agency for the Sheriff’s Office that facilitates improved relationships between the agency and the community through enhanced transparency, the auditing of investigations, community engagement, and policy recommendations. IOLERO was established in 2015 and began operation in April 2016, making it one of the first such Sheriff’s Office oversight agencies in California.

IOLERO conducts comprehensive community outreach to engage residents in understanding, reviewing, and possibly recommending changes to Sheriff’s Office policies with a focus on disenfranchised and underserved communities. One of the primary avenues for outreach is IOLERO’s Community Advisory Council (CAC). Appointed by the Board of Supervisors, this group holds public meetings to solicit feedback from community members and to review and make recommendations to the IOLERO Director on Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.

IOLERO’s audits and reviews consist of the independent review of administrative investigations conducted by the Sheriff’s Office and intake and review of community complaints. After a thorough analysis of the nature and frequency of complaints, related policies, practices, and community input through the Council, IOLERO may recommend changes to policies, procedures, strategies, training, and practices, intended to reduce complaints and improve community relationships. IOLERO also publishes an Annual Report of review findings and presents this report at a public hearing of the Board.

In November 2020, the Evelyn Cheatham Effective IOLERO Ordinance (Measure P) was passed by Sonoma County voters repealing and replacing Article XXVII of Title 2 of the Sonoma County Code establishing IOLERO. Measure P resulted in a number of changes for IOLERO, the Director, and the CAC, including significantly increasing the department’s legal authority and capacity to review and analyze complaints against the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. Measure P also set the annual budget for IOLERO at 1% of the total annual budget for the Sheriff’s Office. In 2022, resolution of litigation over the implementation of Measure P, combined with Letters of Agreement reached with the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association (SCLEA) and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA), allowed IOLERO to implement new powers under Measure P, including direct investigation of in-custody deaths, deputy-involved fatal shootings, and fatalities from traffic pursuits, among other direct investigations. IOLERO is, to date, the only Sheriff’s Office oversight program in California with such authority.

The Office’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 is $2.40 million. The staffing complement includes the Director, a Chief Deputy Law Enforcement Auditor, two full-time and one part-time (.50 FTE) Law Enforcement Auditors, two full-time Department Analysts, an Administrative Aide, and an Administrative Services Officer who works with IOLERO, the County Administrator’s Office, and the Office of Equity.

For more information about IOLERO, please see visit the department’s website here .

The County of Sonoma

Nestled in the heart of Northern California Wine Country, Sonoma County is the largest county in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, covering over 1,600 square miles. It is located in the northernmost part of the Bay Area, about 30 miles north of San Francisco, and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Marin County and San Pablo Bay to the south, and Solano, Napa, and Lake Counties to the east. Sonoma County is known for amazing wines and legendary vineyards, as well as organic produce and sustainable farming. The county is also home to the scenic Russian River, a popular tourist destination where residents and visitors enjoy kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming.

Encompassing nine cities and five federally recognized tribes, more than a third of Sonoma County’s almost 500,000 residents live in the City of Santa Rosa, the county seat, and a quarter in unincorporated areas. Downtown areas such as Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sonoma, Healdsburg, and Guerneville offer a mix of historic architecture, boutique shopping, and gourmet dining, providing a small-town feel with modern amenities. Festivals, farmers' markets, and cultural events celebrate local talent and traditions. The county enjoys a diverse economy that includes agriculture, a world-class wine region, technology, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, craft brewing, retail, and professional services.

While the latest census data shows that Sonoma County’s proportion of white residents remains higher than the national average, the share of residents who identify as Hispanic or Latino also ranks higher than the national average, making up more than a quarter of residents (29% in 2022). 37% of County residents identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Education levels in Sonoma County exceed the national average and the county’s public school system ranks considerably high within the state, including innovative charter schools and high-quality secondary education options at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. In 2022, the median household income in Sonoma County was $99,266. Although home prices reflect the value of living in an area that offers abundant amenities, the prices of Sonoma County homes remain among the more affordable in the greater Bay Area.

Visit https://sonomacounty.ca.gov and https://sonomacountyconnections.org for additional information about Sonoma County—the place to live, work, and build your career legacy.

IOLERO is currently recruiting to fill a Law Enforcement Auditor position at either the II or III level. This Law Enforcement Auditor II employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title of this position is Law Enforcement Auditor II.

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide for possession of the stated knowledge and abilities. Normally this would include possession of a Juris Doctor degree or the equivalent from an accredited U.S. law school and at least three years of related legal experience, including two years as a licensed attorney, typically in civil rights, criminal law, or other relevant experienceworking with individuals of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. Prior professional level experience in a law enforcement oversight/audit organization, and bilingual Spanish/English skills are desirable.

Special Requirements:Successful completion of a thorough background investigation; have not been a sworn law enforcement officer within the last five years; and does not have any immediate family members (defined as spouse, child, sibling, parent) who are currently in sworn law enforcement positions. Possession of the Certified Practitioner of Oversight (CPO) Credential is desirable.

License:Current active membership in the State Bar of California is required. Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: the principles of civil and criminal law and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California; applicable policies/laws, weighing evidence in accordance with legal standards; the fundamentals of investigations including interviewingand interrogating principles andtechniques; legal researchprinciples;conducting depositions and litigating subpoenas and other issues in court;written and oral communications including language mechanics, syntax and English composition; legal document formatting and writing.

Working Knowledge of:the responsibilities, functions, policies, and procedures of lawenforcement; the fundamentals of investigations including evidence collection; conducting critical evaluations of findings and supportinganalysis; current Federal and California case law and statutes in the civil and/or criminal law; techniques of law enforcement training, instruction, and evaluation ofworkperformance; techniques for dealing with persons of various ages and ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, who may have physical and/or emotional issues.

Knowledge of: limitations and authorities of the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach; local government organization, structure, and administration and its procedures, principles, and concepts; office practices and procedures, including filing and operation of standard office equipment such as a computer.

Ability to: interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, and regulations; conduct independent research, investigations, and fact finding assignments, perform statistical analysis, and prepare reports; act independently and remain unbiased, objective, and professional; demonstrate integrity and sensitivity; honor confidentiality and basic constitutional and legislative rights of all affected parties; establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with other employees, public officials, community groups, other governmental agencies, and the general public, particularly those with diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds; maintain effective media relations; work effectively under pressure; effectively facilitate and gain cooperation and participation of interested parties to achieve desired results; present recommendations and alternative proposals; prepare and/or edit clear, concise reports and to present them effectively both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences; provide training, and instruction to attorney staff and other related department personnel, as requested.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination(weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

It is the policy of law enforcement and legal offices and departments, in the County of Sonoma, that candidates complete a thorough background investigation process prior to employment. This policy is imperative in order to keep the department’s employees and the public safe and to maintain high standards in the law enforcement community. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

The background investigation will include a thorough assessment of a candidate’s personal, employment, educational, and criminal history. The investigation may include but is not necessarily limited to the use of prescription and/or other drugs, reports from former employers, friends, family members, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, credit reports, court reports, public records searches, and/or other relevant sources. Candidates must be honest and forthcoming about information that may arise during the background process. Deception during any portion of this process is grounds for disqualification, even after employment.

The results of these examinations and the background investigation shall be confidential and shall not be available to the candidate for review. Failure to pass the background investigation will eliminate a candidate from the employment process. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

Issues that arise during the investigation process will be assessed and judgment and discretion will be used to determine the employability of the candidate. Where there is evidence of a candidate’s past use of controlled substances, many factors shall be used to determine the employability of the individual such as a pattern of use, kind of drug used, circumstances of the start of the drug use, treatment, behavior and attitude since discontinuance, etc. Please note that a history of using controlled substances does not result in automatic disqualification from the selection process. Prior to disqualifying any candidate whose profile falls within the provisions of the policy, the candidate shall be given the opportunity to present any and all evidence of mitigating facts that the candidate feels should be considered by the hiring authority. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: DP
HR Technician: EV

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan :Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan :Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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