Job Description

The City of Worcester seeks qualified applicants for a Director of Human Rights & Accessibility for the Executive Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Under the direction of the Chief Equity Officer, the position will ensure equal opportunity and will promote justice, diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and accessibility by protecting the civil rights of all in Worcester. The Director will oversee an office of three (3) staff and will support board and commissions which will include the Human Rights Commission and the Accessibility Advisory Commission. The Director will administer the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program and ensure the City’s compliance with all federal, state, and local mandates granting equal access to all City services, programs, and employment opportunities. The Director will serve as the Chief Human Rights Officer and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Coordinator in accordance with local ordinances as well as State and Federal laws and regulations.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:

• Manage all strategic and operational programs and activities in accordance with the City’s Human Rights Ordinance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, the City’s Affirmative Action policy, and related equity programs.
• Manage the coordination of the City’s civil rights functions and responsibilities, ADA functions and compliance responsibilities, supervision division staff, serving as staff liaison to designated boards and commissions and collaborating with Department and Division Heads and other City officials.
• Receive, investigate, and resolve inquiries and/or complaints regarding discrimination or the City’s obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act; will include reporting on all case activity, mediating disputes, conducting hearings, supervising investigations, conducting a review of case findings, and approving staff recommendations.
• Develop and facilitate trainings for various City agencies on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related topics.
• Prepare and monitor the Division’s annual operating budget; seek additional funding from grants and private donations in support of Department operations and services.
• Establish office goals and objectives, policies, and procedures ensuring that all support the City and the Human Rights Commission and Accessibility Advisory Commission initiatives.
• Attend and serve as staff liaison, or delegate staff to attend meetings, for two (2) board and commissions, who meet after normal business hours.
• Administer the affairs of the Human Rights Commission and Accessibility Advisory Commission and serve as the keeper of the record.
• Attend and serve as staff liaison or delegate staff to attend meetings or serve as staff liaison, for up to four (4) additional board and commissions, as may be assigned by the Chief Equity Officer based on considerations of need and available time and resources.
• Process and refer complaints to Investigations Division to investigate complaints of discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability and in housing on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, source of funds, or disability.
• Provide oversight of activities and creates a collaborative and team-oriented environment.
• Supervise professional staff in the performance of duties, including but not limited to hiring, coaching, training, professional development, performance management, and discipline or corrective actions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the legal and administrative requirements for investigating, preparing, and processing cases of alleged discrimination.
• Knowledge of anti-discrimination laws, including G.L. c. 151B, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of oversight, administration, management, and supervision.
• Ability to analyze and interpret anti-discrimination laws and regulations and supervise their application.
• Ability to investigate discrimination complaints, analyze information to determine the merits of the complaint, make recommendations and implement solutions based on investigatory findings.
• Ability to develop and implement City policies and procedures.
• Ability to supervise staff whose duties include the enforcement of human/civil rights statutes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with senior management, employees, board and commission members, and the public.
• Superior analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, including a demonstrated ability to proactively identify and implement data-driven solutions that are creative, innovative, and flexible.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Highly skilled at listening to the perspectives of competing interests and making clear, well-informed decisions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field OR;
  • An equivalent combination of education, training and ten (10) years’ experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered in lieu of the above requirements.
• Five (5) years of experience in civil rights, human rights, accessibility, fair housing compliance, investigations, and/or administration.
• Experience with oversight, administration, management, and supervision of staff.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and major precedent related to M.G.L. c. 151B, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Proficient with the use of computers; with experience using Microsoft Office Suite and other office productivity software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctorate or Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in civil rights, human rights, accessibility, fair housing compliance, investigations, or administration.
• Three (3) years of experience as an ADA Coordinator.
• Three (3) years of experience working with state and local laws including, but not limited to, FMLA, PLA, M.G.L c. 149 sec. 148c, the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and the Affirmative Action plan.
• Experience communicating and working with populations diverse in language, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity and/or cultural backgrounds.

SALARY RANGE: $78,566 – $119,917 annually, full-time, exempt, with an excellent benefits package.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 80,000 - 100,000.

88 total views, 0 today

Apply for this Job