Civil Rights Investigator 2

State of Washington • Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

This recruitment will be used to fill 2 positions in the Yakima/Wenatchee location. Schedule: Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 8a.m. to 5p.m. However, incumbents must be willing to work days or hours outside of their approved schedule as required to meet business needs. Hybrid work schedule requires at least 2 days in office. Agency Profile: The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) was created by the Legislature in 1949, the WSHRC is responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD). The mission of the WSHRC is to eliminate and prevent discrimination in Washington State through the fair application of the law, efficient use of resources, and establishment of productive partnerships in the community. As a senior-level investigator, you will support/contribute to the mission of the organization, which is to eliminate and prevent discrimination. You will be providing technical assistance and consultation during the complaint intake and investigation/resolution processes, you will conduct impartial investigations of discrimination complaints, including research and analysis of RCW 49.60 and related anti-discrimination laws, and you will work independently with supervision guidance as necessary.

Requirements

• One year of experience as an Investigator 1
• Three (3) years of experience as an investigator with major work assignments emphasizing civil rights enforcement and/or investigation, Equal Employment Opportunity, Fair Housing, personnel administration, labor relations, alternative dispute resolution or related work.
• Two (2) years of college-level course work in investigation sociology behavioral sciences, or other position-related areas will substitute for one year of experience.
• Possesses basic knowledge of word processing software (e.g., Outlook, Word and PowerPoint) and case processing/tracking databases; accurately enters data and information to generate investigative documents and reports.
• Demonstrates regular and punctual attendance.
• Be flexible to accommodate requirements of the job; Adapts to changing business needs and work responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Multi-lingual is a bonus
• Effectively and accurately interprets and explains RCW 49.60 and related laws in a manner easily understood by parties; presents complex information in messages lay persons can readily understand and grasp; actively listens to other people taking part in the conversation; accurately summarizes what others have said; recognizes problems and adjusts tone, pace, etc. as necessary to assure understanding and successful outcomes; remains tactful and courteous while investigating complaints of discrimination; conducts interviews for the purpose of gathering factual information.
• Formulates and writes detailed, well-reasoned formal determinations. Work product submitted for supervisor review requires minimal revision; does not contain spelling, grammar, and/or formatting errors.
• Experience organizing and documenting work on complex investigations.
• Earns the trust, respect and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions; maintains confidentiality; keeps promises and commitments made to others; adheres to the core values and workplace expectations of the Human Rights Commission.
• Accepts responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Can be relied upon to achieve results with minimal supervision; meets performance expectations for productivity, timeliness, quality and quantity.

Responsibilities

• Functions independently as an impartial fact-finding agent of the Commission while investigating single or multiple issue discrimination cases of varying difficulty and complexity that allege a violation of the Washington State Law Against Discrimination RCW 49.60 and substantially similar federal laws such as the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII (Employment) and Title VIII (Fair Housing).
• Gathers and preserves documentary evidence, and when necessary, issues subpoenas.
• Conducts interviews with parties to the complaint and their witnesses.
• Reviews and analyzes legal briefs submitted by legal counsel, and other defenses and documentation submitted by parties to the complaint.
• Independently writes and submits detailed, well-reasoned formal case determinations.
• Intake includes conferring with the public in person, by telephone and written correspondence regarding alleged violation of the state and federal discrimination laws to determine Commission jurisdiction and criteria for filing a complaint.
• If allegations are jurisdictional and meet criteria for filing, Incumbent advises individual of filing procedures; if the allegations are not jurisdictional, provides referral to other resources to seek assistance.
• Receives, analyzes, and drafts formal complaint affidavits for individuals alleging discrimination.
• Functions as a mediator between principals in discrimination disputes and confers with both Respondents and Complainant in either joint or separate fact-finding conferences to determine actual areas of dispute.
• Initiates innovative proposals to attempt to resolve disputes.
• Negotiates settlement agreements between principals to the discrimination disputes, which may include Complainant, Respondent, attorneys, corporate executives, and union representatives.
• Prepares, executes, and signs legally binding settlement documents.
• Reviews relevant court cases, precedent cases and legal opinions, as needed.
• Analyzes and evaluates and applies fact patterns based on pertinent case law, contract provisions and prior Commission determinations.
• Up to 30% of the above may require dual language translation or interpretation skills (Spanish) to communicate with non-English speaking customers.
• Attends staff and agency-wide training and instructional meetings; reviews case law and keeps current on new case law rulings; attends 3rd party civil rights enforcement training and/or professional development training.
• May assist in the development of training materials and participate in providing training facilitated by Investigator 3s and 4s.
• Staffs information booths or tables at outreach events to provide information about RCW 49.60.
• Up to 30% of the above may require dual language translation or interpretation skills (Spanish) to communicate with non-English speaking customers.
• Provides technical assistance and consultation to legal counsels, employers, managers, human resource professionals, landlords, property managers, real estate brokers and owners, public officials, union officials, advocacy organizations, and others to explain and interpret the state and federal laws against discrimination.
• Up to 30% of the above may require dual language translation or interpretation skills (Spanish) to communicate with non-English speaking customers.

Benefits

• The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) was created by the Legislature in 1949, the WSHRC is responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD).
• The mission of the WSHRC is to eliminate and prevent discrimination in Washington State through the fair application of the law, efficient use of resources, and establishment of productive partnerships in the community.

What This Job Offers

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