Police Oversight Policy Analyst, Austin Police Oversight

Job Description:

Police Oversight Policy Analyst, Austin Police Oversight

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. Our guiding principles-Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchor our approach in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austin residents. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is valued, and Innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments designed to foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for gathering, researching, analyzing, and synthesizing stakeholder input, best practices, relevant laws, and governing documents to make recommendations for procedures, training, and policy language related to law enforcement on behalf of the Office of Police Oversight.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Monitors, analyzes, and researches Local, State, and Federal legislation, ordinances, and agreements that affect law enforcement and civilian oversight.
  
• Conducts unbiased data synthesis and research into best and promising practices related to law enforcement.
  
• Analyzes existing policies and provides OPO management with revision recommendations based on research and analysis.
  
• Effectively communicates findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, participating in meetings as needed.
  
• Completes special tasks as assigned, including cross-functional projects and initiatives using specialized knowledge and experience, as well as information obtained through research into Local, State, and Federal laws, ordinances, agreements, and policies that affect law enforcement and civilian oversight operations and practices.
  
• Assists in preparing and delivering presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Provides management with informed opinions on courses of action based on specialized knowledge associated with the assigned policy and program area(s).
  
• Drafts formal memoranda, reports, briefs, presentations, and other correspondence discussing research, data analysis, policy positions, and associated recommendations; prepares tables, charts, and graphs to aid in depicting analysis and research. Presents the body of work to technical and non-technical audiences.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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 Austin Police Department (APD) procedures, policies, and training.
  
• Knowledge of policy research and analysis methodologies.
  
• Knowledge of legal research methodologies.
  
• Knowledge of principles and practices associated with the assigned policy and program area(s).
  
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of relevant Federal, State, and Local laws.
  
• Skill in organizing and executing assignments and projects.
  
• 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 establish databases to maintain or track data.
  
• Ability to conduct presentations.
  
• Ability to author technical documents.
  
• Ability to identify variables and utilizing various resources to gather data.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to execute tasks and assignments systematically.
  
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all dealings and maintain confidentiality as required.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus three (3) years of experience in a field related to the job, including one (1) year in conducting and presenting complex legal and policy research.
  
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for the required experience up to one (1) year.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience conducting legal research and analyses involving case law, statutes, and local laws to inform recommendations
  
• Skilled use of mixed methods research designs
  
• Experience working in civilian oversight of law enforcement
  
• Experience working in local government
  
• Experience working on cross-functional teams to develop and implement policy projects
  
• Previous experience developing, implementing, and reporting on equity-related policy projects
  

Notes to Candidate:

Salary Range:

$63,856.00 - $79,809.60 annually

This is a research- and writing-heavy position that will require the ability to present complex findings to non-technical audiences. Applicants hired for this position will work with the Policy & Research Division of the Office of Police Oversight (OPO). Police Oversight Policy Analysts at OPO utilize expertise in policy research and analysis methodologies to assess the Austin Police Department’s current policies, practices, and training and inform recommendations for improvement. Police Oversight Policy Analysts regularly communicate findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders and must be familiar and comfortable with presenting complex information to various audiences in various formats. Additionally, they must be prepared to field questions related to the information presented.

The mission of 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.

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 be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.

• 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.
  

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 .

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
  

Assessment:
An assessment will be administered as part of the interview process. Prior to first-round interviews, all candidates will be expected to submit a professional writing sample from past employment. The writing sample must be an example of the candidate’s individual work. Group projects will not be accepted. Candidates who fail to complete this assessment will not move forward in the hiring process.

Background Investigation:

Successful candidates must pass a a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

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.

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.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-09-23