Under the administrative direction of the Deputy Director, Office of Internal Affairs (OIA), the Chief, Headquarters Operations, OIA, is responsible for managing, directing, and has centralized oversight of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) internal affairs headquarters administrative and investigation programs including: Central Intake, Administrative Support, Special Investigations, Forensic Analysis Support and Investigations, Worker's Compensation Fraud inquiry/investigations; and Redaction.
The Chief serves as a policy advisor collaborating with the Deputy Director, OIA, and stakeholders to evaluate, develop, and modify system-wide policies and procedures within acceptable law enforcement industry standards and in compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations of the Department Operations Manual, Penal Code, labor agreements, the State Personnel Board, California Department of Human Resources, and Madrid mandates. In addition, the Chief oversees the functions of the Administrative Support Unit, which include budgets, personnel, payroll, accounting, training, litigation, and contracts.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Ensure ongoing compliance with Madrid mandates through formulation and implementation of policies and procedures to maintain consistent evaluation of allegations of employee misconduct, appropriate assignment of cases, standardization of investigative procedures pursuant to law enforcement industry standards, timeliness of statutes of limitation, enforcement of mandated training to all agents, and reporting on and accounting for the status, findings, and outcomes of all OIA investigations. Maintain oversight over the Case Management System (CMS) for purposes of security, efficiency, and accuracy. Ensure the system provides real-time documentation of case activity by investigators, Vertical Advocates, and Employee Relations Officers and that it includes post-investigation information, such as case findings, disciplinary action, and legal action. Oversee the OIA authority to grant and remove access to CMS for any CDCR employee. Oversee the creation and maintain the CMS user manual that provides detailed operating procedures for all authorized users. Review and process appeals of central intake decisions.
• Fiscal oversight of OIA's operational budget, including Headquarters, three Regional OIA offices, the Office of Civil Rights and the Allegation Inquiry Management Section. Approve or deny requests for equipment allocations and expenditures, personnel action requests (reclassifying, filling vacant positions, etc.), and in-service/out-service training requests. Advise and recommends, to the Deputy Director, OIA, the implementation of fiscal constraints necessary to control personnel and operating expenses to maintain a balanced budget and ensures budgetary funding availability to carry out the investigative process. Direct the implementation of approved fiscal constraints and ensures compliance through review and approval of proposed expenditures and hiring. Advise and inform the Deputy Director, OIA, of potential impact to program operations that compromise OIA's ability to maintain staffing levels that ensure investigations are processed and completed in compliance with Madrid mandates.
• Supervise two Special Agents-in-Charge and exercises authority over staff dedicated to OIA's headquarters administrative and investigations programs, including Central Intake, Special Investigations, Worker’s Compensation Fraud Investigations, Computer Forensics, Redaction, and Administrative Services.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor to Department management on employee investigation issues; oversee investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, administrative, criminal, and discrimination related issues. Update the Deputy Director, OIA, on matters for outside investigation as well as criminal prosecution.
• Establish guidelines, priorities, and management systems to ensure an efficient and effective investigative operation; develops policies and procedures as they relate to employee misconduct investigations; evaluate the impact of laws, rules, and court decisions on the investigative process; and identify and recommends changes to departmental policies which may contribute to situations where misconduct has occurred.
• Oversee the OIA training program and availability of training to meet industry standards and maintain system-wide compliance with the Madrid lawsuit, Penal Code, and CDCR policy.
• Develop indicators for identifying high risk employees for institutions and program areas within CDCR; apprise Department management of potential legal liabilities incurred as a result of inconsistent and/or inappropriate application of laws, policies, and procedures; testifies in state and federal court and before the Legislature regarding the Department’s internal affairs process; and identifies proposed changes in Memorandums of Understanding, laws, and rules relative to employee misconduct, internal affairs, and retaliation investigations.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of Department’s strategic and operational plans; serves as liaison to, and maintains effective working relationships with, federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.