Civil Rights Investigator 1 - Akron

State of Ohio • Akron, OH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Ohio is seeking a Civil Rights Investigator 1 for its Akron Regional Office. This role is responsible for investigating charges of discrimination under Chapter 4112 of the Ohio Revised Code. The investigator will conduct intake interviews, prepare charge affidavits, evaluate jurisdiction, and gather evidence. They will investigate single-issue charges and moderately difficult cases, excluding housing discrimination and sexual harassment allegations. The position involves counseling complainants, interviewing respondents and witnesses, collecting information and testimony, and maintaining production levels to meet agency and federal funding obligations. The investigator will also prepare legal documents, analyze case materials, operate a personal computer for data entry and report generation, perform clerical tasks, and assist in preparing conciliation and settlement agreements. Additional duties include responding to public inquiries, compiling information, updating files, scheduling conferences, preparing reports for reconsideration requests, assisting in training new investigators, and participating in establishing investigative procedures. The role also requires attending training, seminars, and meetings.

Requirements

• Completion of associate program coursework or undergraduate core coursework in human resources, business administration, public administration, liberal arts or related field of study.
• 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in investigation methods & techniques.
• 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in interviewing.
• 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in human relations, public relations or equivalent experience in dealing with general public.
• 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in operation of personal computer/video display terminal.
• Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Conducts intake with charging parties relative to Chapter 4112 of Ohio Revised Code by letter, telephone or in person regarding general information for submitting charges of alleged discrimination.
• Prepares charge affidavits and intake interview forms, evaluates forms to ascertain jurisdiction under Chapter 4112 of Ohio Revised Code (e.g., employment, public accommodation, credit) and defines basis of discrimination (i.e., race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, age or ancestry).
• Investigates single issue charges of discrimination (excluding cases involving allegations of housing discrimination and sexual harassment), gathers evidence relative to investigation, and conducts onsite and/or fact-finding conferences with complainants, witnesses, and respondents.
• Investigates cases of moderately difficult nature excluding cases involving allegations of housing discrimination and sexual harassment (i.e., multiple bases of discrimination involving more than two, but fewer than many related issues dealing with employers, business, unions, public accommodations, credit agencies and higher education institutions).
• Counsels complainants, interviews respondents and witnesses, collects information, testimony, records, and other documentation related to discrimination complaints.
• Conducts onsite interviews, fact-finding conferences with complainants, witnesses, respondents, attorneys.
• Maintains satisfactory level of production for position in order to meet contractual obligations established by agency and federal funding sources.
• Contacts witnesses and respondents and handles depositions relative to charges.
• Obtains documents from charging parties and respondents that serve as evidence.
• Prepares subpoenas.
• Verifies and cross-checks all documentation submitted as authentic.
• Prepares legal documents in order to investigate unlawful acts.
• Analyzes all material and data relative to case and submits preliminary information on case form or prepares reports of findings for submission to supervisor.
• Operates personal computer/video display terminal to enter and/or retrieve information and/or to produce/generate reports and/or other materials as needed.
• Performs clerical tasks relative to investigation and follow-up (e.g., responds to inquiries; copies records; updates case files).
• Assists in preparing conciliation agreements, consent orders, and settlement agreements.
• Performs other duties as assigned (e.g., responds to public inquiries received by telephone and/or writing; compiles and evaluates information; updates files; schedules conferences and/or informational hearings; prepares reports about prior recommendations when charging party requests reconsideration; assists in training new civil rights investigators; participates in establishing investigative procedures for unit).
• Attends training, seminars, and required meetings.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree