What are the responsibilities and job description for the Ethics Analyst II position at City of Oakland, CA?
The Position
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 Public Ethics Commission (PEC)?
The City of Oakland is currently recruiting for one Ethics Analyst II at the Oakland Public Ethics Commission (PEC). The Oakland Public Ethics Commission (PEC) is a dynamic, mission-driven team working to strengthen transparency, accountability, and integrity in City government. Backed by voter-approved expansions of its authority and resources, the PEC plays a leading role in promoting fair elections, ethical conduct, and an inclusive democracy in Oakland. This position will assist in implementing the PEC’s education and engagement program to support a wide range of stakeholders, including City employees, elected officials, board & commission members, candidates running for City office, and lobbyists. The Ethics Analyst II administers the Commission’s compliance program and provides training and assistance to ensure compliance with campaign finance, ethics, lobbying, and transparency laws. This position works with complex campaign finance, lobbying, and other ethics-related data to provide clear, accessible information and reports to make government data meaningful and usable for Oakland residents. This is an opportunity to help build public trust and shape the future of ethical governance in Oakland.
Ethics Analyst II is a journey-level classification in the Ethics Analyst series. This classification is distinguished from the lower-level Ethics Analyst I in that the former will be responsible for the most complex and sensitive projects and assignments. This classification is distinguished from the higher-level Ethics Analyst III in that the incumbent of the latter supervises assigned staff. The incumbent receives general supervision from the Ethics Analyst III or other management staff and may provide technical or lead direction to assigned professional or administrative staff.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Self-motivated and a quick learner: You will need to quickly learn and understand complex laws, resolve technical problems, and interact with the public effectively.
- Analytical and detail-oriented: You will be expected to review high volumes of data, identify discrepancies, and ensure accuracy and compliance in reporting.
- Innovative and solutions-oriented: You will contribute to technology projects that will increase transparency and improve the user experience for stakeholders.
- Collaborative and an adaptable team member: You will be expected to effectively manage multiple priorities and adjust to evolving policies, systems, and reporting requirements.
- Dedicated to process improvement: You will play a key role in continuously looking for ways to streamline procedures, enhance efficiency, and strengthen compliance with ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Administering the PEC's electronic filing and disclosure programs and utilizing open data and data analysis applications.
- Providing technical assistance to public servants, committee treasurers, candidates, lobbyists, and other regulated individuals; responding to requests for information from elected officials, other government agencies, and the public.
- Analyzing data, conducting research, and drafting correspondence and reports regarding compliance with state and local campaign finance, transparency, and ethics laws; conduct audits and investigations as needed.
- Planning and administering PEC programs such as the Campaign Finance Disclosure program, public campaign financing program, and the Lobbyist Registration program by preparing forms and systems to execute program objectives, receive and process records and payments within established timeframes, publish information on the Commission's website and the City's open data portal, maintain files, and monitor and track compliance with legal requirements.
- Recommending innovations in systems or changes in local laws and policies to enhance the PEC's effectiveness in achieving its goals.
- Drafting and updating website educational content as needed.
A few reasons you might love this job:
- You will work with people who are passionate about government integrity and transparency.
- You will be interacting with various stakeholders, including City employees, elected officials, board & commission members, political candidates, and residents.
- Your work will be impactful and will help ensure transparency, accountability, and trust in City government.
- You will have a unique opportunity to blend the use of technology, policy, and public service.
- You will have opportunities for personal and professional growth.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You will need to manage multiple high-visibility programs under tight deadlines.
- You will be serving diverse stakeholders with varying levels of technical and legal knowledge.
- You will need to translate complex data and legal concepts into accessible public resources.
- You will need to navigate complex compliance requirements that demand precision and strong technical expertise.
- You will need to collaborate with and/or lead teams of PEC colleagues and partner organizations to successfully complete program objectives.
Competencies Required:
- Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
- 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
- Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
- Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
- Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
- Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
- Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
- Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
- 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
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
Minimum Requirements for Application
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! Some positions may 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.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable
Education:
A Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, sociology, education, economics, political science, marketing, communications/public relations, journalism, finance, accounting, computer science, or a related field from an accredited college or university A Master's degree in a related field is desirable.
Experience:
Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional work experience assisting with and/or developing and implementing education, engagement, marketing, communications, or online content and data visualization and/or disclosure programs and related materials.
Experience with campaign finance, lobbying/lobbyists, transparency or ethics laws and regulations is highly desirable. Other desirable experience includes business analysis, user research and experience (UX), and/or application development.
License or Certificate / Other Requirements
Flexible Staffing
Incumbents in the Ethics Analyst I classification are eligible to promote to the Ethics Analyst II classification in accordance with established City policy related to flexible staffing.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience with research and data analysis.
- Knowledge of or experience working with campaign finance, ethics, transparency, or related government laws and regulations.
- Proficiency with basic computer and web-based tools
- Technical experience with computer programming or open-source technologies.
Supplemental Information
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 invited to take an online multiple-choice test (weighted 100%). You will have 7 days to complete the test once the link is sent to your email. This is tentatively planned to launch during the week of April 13, 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?
- Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks. Option for a hybrid remote work schedule upon successful completion of probationary period.
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of servic
- 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:
How to Apply
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
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 Mary Ann Gonzales, Sr. HR Analyst at mgonzales@oaklandca.gov
150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza - 2nd Floor
Oakland, California, 94612
- CalPERS Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Medical Waiver Plan – Cash-In-Lieu
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
- Pension Benefits
- Deferred Compensation
- Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements
Salary : $200,000