Manager of Public Safety Accountability

JOB LOCATION 15151 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555 Cit y of Aurora , Colorado It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity , Respect, Professionalism , and Customer Service , and we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora? Make a difference in the lives of real people every day Diverse community Competitive total compensation package Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan Light rail station minutes away On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement Access to innovation workspaces PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Salary to be commensurate with experience The hiring range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000/annually The full salary range for this position is $112,800 - $141,00 - $176,250/annually APPLICATION PROCESS: To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of six work-related references (who will not be contacted without prior notice) by September 18, 2026 . For additional information about this position please contact: KYLIE WILSON Principal Consultant CPS HR Consulting Email: Website: Candidates deemed to have the most relevant and strongest backgrounds will be invited to participate in a preliminary screening interview with the consultant. Those individuals determined to be best suited will be invited to participate further in a formal assessment process with the City. An appointment is anticipated upon the completion of comprehensive reference and background checks. OVERVIEW OF JOB The Public Safety Accountability Manager leads the City’s Public Safety Accountability Division and provides independent civilian oversight designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, public confidence, and continuous improvement across public safety services. This position monitors and reviews public safety functions, programs, operations, policies, accountability processes, investigations, critical incidents, and systemic trends, including matters involving police, fire, emergency communications, detention, sworn and non-sworn personnel, and other public safety agencies or activities. The Manager serves as a trusted, objective, and impartial accountability leader who works with City Management, Public Safety Policy Committee, public safety departments, community members, oversight partners, and other stakeholders to ensure accountability processes are thorough, fair, transparent, and responsive to community needs. PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Leads the Public Safety Accountability Division, including development of division goals, work plans, procedures, performance measures, reports, and operational priorities. Provides independent civilian oversight of designated public safety accountability matters, including complaints, administrative investigations, use of force matters, officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, and other critical incidents involving sworn public safety personnel. Reviews and monitors complaint classification decisions, investigation processes, investigative findings, and discipline-related recommendations to evaluate thoroughness, fairness, objectivity, consistency, and compliance with applicable laws, policies, procedures, and accountability standards. Conducts or coordinates complaint intake, community referrals, and explanations of the accountability and investigative process to complainants, community members, and other stakeholders. Identifies case-specific and systemic issues through review of complaints, investigations, critical incidents, policy application, discipline outcomes, public safety data, and operational trends. Develops recommendations for improvements to policies, procedures, training, supervision, accountability systems, complaint processes, and public safety practices. Prepares written analyses, executive briefings, public reports, annual reports, statistical summaries, and trend analyses regarding accountability activities, while protecting confidential, privileged, and legally protected information. Responds to critical incidents involving death or serious bodily injury; by obtaining relevant and critical incident information, monitors associated city investigation and reviews and issues findings in coordination with the release of related city reports. Develops and implements an annual accountability work plan based on risk assessment, complaint trends, public safety priorities, community concerns, and post–Consent Decree sustainability needs. Partners with public safety departments, legal counsel, City leadership, community stakeholders, and external oversight partners to support fair, consistent, and transparent accountability practices. Serves as a liaison between the city, community members, public safety departments, oversight bodies, and other stakeholders to build trust, promote transparency, and support constructive dialogue. Coordinates community outreach, education, and engagement related to public safety accountability processes, complaint systems, public reporting, and community trust. Reviews national best practices, legislative developments, accountability models, and emerging trends in civilian oversight, constitutional policing, procedural justice, and public safety accountability. Supervises assigned staff, including hiring, training, coaching, performance management, workload assignment, and professional development. Develops and administers assigned division budget, contracts, projects, records, and administrative functions. Reports known or suspected abuse, illegal acts, or related irregularities that may affect the city to the appropriate city authority Performs additional duties as assigned. The listed primary duties and responsibilities are not a comprehensive list of expectations for the job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Sociology, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related field. Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in civilian oversight, public safety accountability, administrative investigations, auditing, compliance, legal or policy analysis, civil rights, public administration, law enforcement oversight, or a closely related field, including three (3) years of supervisory, management, or program leadership experience. Licenses and Certifications: Valid Colorado Driver License with acceptable driving record at time of hire. Certification or training in civilian oversight, administrative investigations, mediation, auditing, compliance, or related professional discipline is preferred and may be required within a timeframe established by the City. Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of civilian oversight principles, accountability models, and public safety accountability practices. Advanced knowledge of administrative investigations, complaint review processes, investigative standards, and due process principles. Advanced knowledge of constitutional policing, procedural justice, bias-free policing, use of force review, critical incident review, and public safety operations. Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to public safety, confidentiality, public records, civil rights, employment matters, and administrative review. Advanced knowledge of policy analysis, program evaluation, auditing, data analysis, performance measurement, and continuous improvement practices. Knowledge in trauma-informed communication, victim or family support, or sensitive critical-incident communication. Advanced knowledge of community engagement, conflict resolution, stakeholder facilitation, and public trust-building strategies. Knowledge of budget administration, strategic planning, supervision, and public sector management. Skills: Advanced leadership, management, and organizational development skills. Advanced analytical, investigative review, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Advanced written communication skills, including preparation of technical reports, public reports, recommendations, and executive summaries. Advanced verbal communication, public speaking, facilitation, and presentation skills. Advanced interpersonal, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement skills. Advanced skill in interpreting complex laws, policies, procedures, investigation records, data, and accountability practices. Advanced skill in maintaining neutrality, credibility, confidentiality, and sound professional judgment in highly sensitive matters. Advanced skill in using office technology, data systems, reporting tools, and common business software. Abilities: Ability to lead an independent accountability function with objectivity, impartiality, professionalism, and integrity. Ability to establish and maintain credibility with executive leadership, elected officials, public safety personnel, labor representatives, community members, complainants, advocacy groups, and external partners. Ability to review complex investigations and determine whether they are thorough, fair, objective, complete, and consistent with applicable standards. Ability to identify patterns, trends, systemic concerns, and opportunities for improvement. Ability to communicate sensitive, complex, or controversial information clearly, tactfully, and transparently. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle legally protected information. Ability to build trust with diverse communities and support constructive dialogue between the community and public safety agencies. Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, projects, and stakeholder expectations. Ability to supervise professional staff and manage division operations. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s Degree or Juris Doctorate in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Law, Organizational Leadership, Sociology, or a related field. Experience working in or with a civilian oversight office, inspector general function, police accountability office, independent monitor, auditor, ombuds, compliance office, or similar accountability function. Experience with consent decrees, constitutional policing, civil rights compliance, public safety reform, or federal/state monitoring. Experience preparing public reports, annual reports, policy recommendations, audit findings, or executive-level accountability briefings. Training or certification through a recognized civilian oversight, investigations, mediation, auditing, compliance, or public sector accountability organization. Experience working with diverse communities and facilitating conversations involving sensitive public safety, equity, trust, or accountability issues. Bilingual or multilingual communication skills. WORKING CONDITIONS Essential Personnel: When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. Physical Demands: Sedentary physical work that involves moving no more than 10 pounds at a time. Frequent sitting, reading, writing, computer use, and verbal communication. Occasional walking, standing, reaching, bending, and travel between City facilities, public safety locations, and community meeting sites. Clear vision to read and interpret reports, data, policies, investigation records, and other written documents. Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees, public safety personnel, community members, complainants, City leadership, and other stakeholders. Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard and standard office equipment. Work Environment: Works primarily in an office environment but may attend meetings, community events, public hearings, public safety facilities, and other City locations. This position may require occasional evening or weekend work for community meetings, public events, critical incident response, or other accountability-related activities. Equipment Used: Uses standard office equipment including personal computer, phone, copier, scanner, audio/video conferencing equipment, presentation equipment, and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, records systems, databases, and reporting tools. This job may require the incumbent to use personal equipment, including vehicle or cell phone, in the course of employment. The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24. For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired. Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References: As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.