Civil Rights Investigator - HR Specialist III - Hybrid

at  State of Colorado Job Opportunities

DESCRIPTION OF JOB

Please Note: This position has hybrid work arrangements. Effective September, 2023 employees are expected to report to the office at least 2 days a week. These arrangements are subject to change.
About this Unit:
Administrative Solutions, Division of Human Resources (HR) exists to provide decentralized human resource services to the general public, applicants, managers, and employees who work for the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Consultation services include benefit administration; compensation; employee relations; exam development; HR policy development; job analysis; job evaluation and classification; organizational development; New Employee Orientation; performance management; interpretation of CDHS HR policy, state personnel rules, state and federal employment laws; progressive discipline; records management; recruitment; responding to grievances, appeals, charges of discrimination; reorganization issues; retention; selection and selection appeals; settlement advice; strategic planning and overall HR guidance to CDHS managers, supervisors and employees.
The HR Shared Service unit provides additional HR support to CDHS in the specialty areas of Civil Rights (CR), Benefits & Leave, Learning, Engagement, and Development (LEAD), Background Investigations Unit (BIU), and Talent Outreach (TO) & Apprenticeships. The unit provides centralized human resource services to applicants, managers, and employees who work for the Colorado Department of Human Services. Consultation services include interpretation of CDHS and HR policies, state personnel rules, state and federal employment laws; responding to grievances, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) claims, appeals, and charges of discrimination; settlement advice; benefits administration; workers compensation; Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended (ADAA), training & staff development; organizational development; performance management (PMP); engagement and retention; background investigations; selection and selections appeals; HR policy development; strategic planning and overall HR guidance to CDHS management, supervisors and employees.
The Civil Rights Unit is responsible for promoting CDHS’s values of equity, diversity and inclusivity and ensuring the Department’s compliance with non-discrimination laws, regulations and policies through prompt fair investigations of complaints, education, training and community outreach.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & APPEAL RIGHTS

Important Note: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, CDHS’ hiring teams consider only the contents of your application to determine meeting minimum qualifications and for the comparative analysis process. Experience is calculated on a full-time equivalency basis, therefore, it is important to accurately notate the hours you averaged per experience section entry. Volunteer work or related type of experience may be used to meet the qualifications, but must be clearly documented. It is paramount that in the experience portion of the application, the applicant describes the extent to which they possess the education, experience, competencies and background as they relate to the duties outlined in the job announcement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Option 1 - Experience:

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
• At least two (2) of the 6 years must have progressively responsible, professional human resources administration and/or supervisory or management experience focused on workplace investigations. This must include:Demonstrated ability to evaluate information available to determine when a workplace investigation is required.Demonstrated ability to analyze information to determine if a violation of a workplace policy has occurred.Demonstrated ability to lead and conduct a sound investigation.Demonstrated ability to conduct investigative interviews.Demonstrated ability to author investigation reports and memos.Demonstrated ability to author agency responses to external state and federal agencies related to external Charges of Discrimination
• Please note: This experience must be clearly documented on your application and the supplemental questions must be answered.

OR

OPTION 2 - EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years. Experience should include drafting formal legal/business correspondence; conducting workplace investigations including interviews, the review of relevant documentation, and authoring of reports; and analyzing information to determine if a policy violation has occurred.

ABOUT US:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO INCREASING THE DIVERSITY OF OUR STAFF AND PROVIDING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THEREFORE, WE ENCOURAGE RESPONSES FROM PEOPLE OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

Under the direction of the unit supervisor and unit mentors, this position investigates complaints of discrimination under Federal Title VI and VII, The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Age Discrimination Employment Act (ADEA) and applicable federal and state laws. Investigations include research, personal interviews, analysis, making findings, determining reasonable basis for complaint, developing targeted recommendations to address change if basis found and placing such in a functional investigative report or memo. Assists appointing authority and supervisor to implement remedies as appropriate.

• Reviews initial reports, complaints, in a timely manner and ensures prompt response to the complaining party.
• Evaluates need for supplementary support, resources and interim measures.
• Engages in informal resolution practices to address complaints, concerns or allegations when appropriate.
• Conducts prompt and thorough investigations, including development of an investigative plan, identifying and interviewing witnesses, gathering and securing information and data, keeping accurate and thorough records and notes of the investigatory process.
• Asks appropriate questions during interviews using trauma informed methodology to gather information about alleged incidents of misconduct, discrimination, retaliation or harassment.
• Drafts notice of investigations, and essential correspondence related to processing of complaints.
• Prepares comprehensive timely written reports or memos of information obtained during an investigation.
• Prepares for and participates in meetings or hearings related to results of investigations.
• Assists in maintaining a database related to reports of misconduct, discrimination, retaliation and harassment and develops reports, assesses trends, and identifies areas of concern.
• Travel is required with some overnight visits within the state

Civil Rights, Sexual Harassment and Workplace Violence Investigations :

Under the direction of the unit supervisor and unit mentors, this position investigates complaints of discrimination under Federal Title VI and VII, The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Age Discrimination Employment Act (ADEA) and applicable federal and state laws. Investigations include research, personal interviews, analysis, making findings, determining reasonable basis for complaint, developing targeted recommendations to address change if basis found and placing such in a functional investigative report or memo. Assists appointing authority and supervisor to implement remedies as appropriate.

• Reviews initial reports, complaints, in a timely manner and ensures prompt response to the complaining party.
• Evaluates need for supplementary support, resources and interim measures.
• Engages in informal resolution practices to address complaints, concerns or allegations when appropriate.
• Conducts prompt and thorough investigations, including development of an investigative plan, identifying and interviewing witnesses, gathering and securing information and data, keeping accurate and thorough records and notes of the investigatory process.
• Asks appropriate questions during interviews using trauma informed methodology to gather information about alleged incidents of misconduct, discrimination, retaliation or harassment.
• Drafts notice of investigations, and essential correspondence related to processing of complaints.
• Prepares comprehensive timely written reports or memos of information obtained during an investigation.
• Prepares for and participates in meetings or hearings related to results of investigations.
• Assists in maintaining a database related to reports of misconduct, discrimination, retaliation and harassment and develops reports, assesses trends, and identifies areas of concern.
• Travel is required with some overnight visits within the state.

Civil Rights and Work Violence Specialist :

Provides interpretation and technical assistance in the area of Civil Rights laws and regulations, state personnel rules regarding non-discrimination, CDHS Civil Rights policies/procedures, conflict resolution options, etc. to CDHS managers, supervisors, and employees.

• Maintains a strong consultative relationship with CDHS managers, supervisors, and employees.
• Tracks and analyzes civil rights investigative related data including but not limited to: complaints, CCRD/EEOC charges and resolutions, and identifies trends, strengths, and areas for improvement within the CDHS.
• In collaboration with leadership, communicates civil rights data and analysis to appointing authorities, supervisors, and employees, as appropriate.
• In collaboration with leadership, provides the proper policy guidance to CDHS managers, supervisors, and employees.

• Advises CDHS managers, supervisors, and employees on issues pertaining to CDHS’s non-discrimination programs, identifies issues, provides answers/solutions directly, and when appropriate encourages alternative dispute resolution.Identify the appropriate resources available both inside and outside of CDHS for addressing employee needs.

• External Agency Responses:
  Under the direction of the unit supervisor, and with the support and/or guidance of the Attorney General’s Office, this position responds to Charges of Discrimination filed with external state and federal agencies, such as the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). External investigations may require this position to author a response to a request for information (RFI), author a position statement, gather relevant information and documentation, conduct interviews, schedule interviews for relevant parties with the external agency, author an appeal response, communicate with the assigned attorney, participate in mediations and litigation, and review related internal investigations

Training and Other Duties as Assigned:

• Develops and provides training (formal and informal) to appointing authorities, managers, supervisors, and employees regarding civil rights topics, as necessary. Training should integrate legal theories, court cases, political and social norms, into the appropriate presentation. All training will be jointly approved by the Supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned