Assistant Commissioner of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Equal Employment Opportunity

City of New York•New York City, NY

About The Position

The Assistant Commissioner directs, operates, and oversees all aspects of HPD’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work and compliance with federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity policies, procedures, and regulations. The role reports directly to the Agency Commissioner and has wide latitude for independent judgment and action. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Equal Employment Opportunity advances HPD’s mission by applying an intersectional equity lens to internal and external policies, programs, and procedures, while also ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination laws. Its work includes identifying barriers to resources and opportunities, building partnerships with communities and organizations, advising the agency on equity initiatives, and educating HPD staff on inclusion strategies, EEO policies, and anti-discrimination laws.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Five years of full-time paid experience in a leadership position.
A record of success in EEO/AA and diversity areas, including demonstrable familiarity with regulatory requirements, laws, and guidelines.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a high-level team.
Investigatory experience.
Demonstrated commitment to building diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Extensive experience with reasonable accommodations.
Demonstrable knowledge of federal, state, and local employment and disability laws.
Understanding of the diversity, equity, and inclusion landscape in New York City.

Nice To Haves

Passion for applying an intersectional equity lens to policies and procedures.
Eagerness to work on a close-knit team.
Ability to engage effectively in tough conversations.
Strong relationship-building skills and ability to bridge silos.
Ability to take on projects independently and participate in policy discussions with guidance as needed.
Substantive knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
Working knowledge of disability rights issues.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to analyze and interpret employment issues effectively.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with all levels of a diverse workforce.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Experience working independently with minimal oversight.
High ability to exercise and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Lead investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; prepare memoranda, determinations, and remedial recommendations for the Agency Commissioner’s review and acknowledgment.
Participate in creating diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and translate them into working programs.
Review personnel policies, procedures, and actions for compliance with federal, state, and local laws; prepare and revise agency statements and postings.
Confer with executive officers on diversity, equity, inclusion, and EEO issues and work with them to resolve internal conflicts.
Advise HPD senior staff and managers on employment-related matters and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues involving public access to HPD resources.
Liaise with the Office of Legal Affairs in defending the agency in external employment complaints.
Review reasonable accommodation requests, make recommendations, and coordinate implementation with agency managers and staff.
Manage and supervise a team of four staff members.
Conduct agencywide live trainings.
Manage and/or prepare reports for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
Represent the agency at citywide EEO meetings.