Civil Rights Investigator

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) Human Resources unit provides centralized HR direction, consultation, and services to applicants, employees, leaders, and the public. The Civil Rights Investigator serves as a tactical and strategic partner to assigned facilities, programs, and HR colleagues, providing professional-level support related to civil rights and workplace policies and laws. The position focuses on preventing and investigating discrimination based on a protected class, harassment based on a protected class or activity, and retaliation based on a protected activity, in accordance with applicable federal and Colorado laws, regulations, and State Personnel Rules. The role conducts informal inquiries to determine whether investigations are warranted and conducts internal investigations. It also provides interpretation, consultation, non-legal guidance, and support; assists with responses to complaints and charges filed with the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); supports training; and helps identify trends, barriers, and potential legal implications. The position is the Department’s staff authority for its Psychological Fitness for Duty (PFFD) program, serving as a subject matter expert and primary HR point of contact for the Attorney General’s Office, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program, and appointing authorities. It manages PFFD matters and the program lifecycle, helps ensure compliance with applicable requirements, and advises on threat assessments, examinations, and reasonable alternatives. The position is located in the North Central District, but duties may be performed throughout Colorado and require regular travel, sometimes overnight. The weekly work arrangement is hybrid, with a minimum of two days in the office and a maximum of three days working remotely; arrangements may change. Regular in-person attendance at facilities, offices, and off-site functions is required. The position is open to current Colorado residents and requires Colorado residency throughout employment.

Requirements

Seven years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the assigned work, including at least three years as a civil rights, workplace, or criminal investigator; alternatively, an equivalent combination of related education and relevant experience totaling seven years, including at least three years as a civil rights, workplace, or criminal investigator.
Ability to evaluate available information and determine when a workplace investigation is required.
Ability to analyze information and determine whether a workplace policy violation occurred.
Ability to lead and conduct a sound investigation.
Ability to conduct investigative interviews.
Ability to author investigation reports and memorandums.
Ability to author agency responses to external state and federal agencies concerning external charges or complaints of discrimination.
Experience and qualifications must be clearly documented in the application, and supplemental questions must be answered.
Must be a Colorado resident when applying and remain a Colorado resident throughout employment.
Must be able to travel throughout Colorado, sometimes overnight.
Must complete the standard background checks applicable to CDHS employees, including a CBI name check, Colorado court database and Medicare fraud database checks, reference checks, applicable professional license verification, and a drug screen when required for a commercial driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Experience drafting formal documentation that withstood rigorous legal scrutiny.
Excellent public speaking skills.
Five or more years of experience conducting civil rights investigations.
Five or more years of experience drafting investigation reports or memorandums.
Five or more years of experience interpreting civil rights policies and statutes.
One or more years of Colorado State Government experience.
Master of Laws (LLM) or Juris Doctor (JD).
Experience working with external civil rights agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Colorado Civil Rights Division.
Experience engaging with and taking direction from attorneys on legal matters.
Experience leading training for small and large groups.
Experience addressing or supporting circumstances involving psychological fitness for duty, including familiarity with PFFD threat assessments, examinations, and alternatives.
Relevant years of State service; part-time service is prorated.

Responsibilities

Conduct informal inquiries into allegations of discrimination based on a protected class, harassment based on a protected class or activity, and retaliation based on a protected activity; determine whether an investigation is warranted.
Review complaints, policies, current and historical information, and documentation, and conduct formal recorded interviews with complainants and other individuals with relevant information.
Provide interpretation, consultation, non-legal guidance, and support to the Department concerning its civil rights, sexual harassment, and workplace violence policies and applicable laws and rules.
Identify relevant Department and non-Department resources and communicate those resources to employees when appropriate.
Serve as the staff authority and subject matter expert for the Department’s Psychological Fitness for Duty program, ensuring alignment with applicable policies, procedures, rules, and state and federal laws.
Act as the primary HR point of contact for the Attorney General’s Office, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program, and appointing authorities on PFFD matters; manage the PFFD program and the lifecycle of PFFD issues.
Evaluate information and partner with appointing authorities, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program to recommend appropriate PFFD actions, including consideration of threat assessments, examinations, alternatives, employee safety, and potential risks.
Assist with responses to complaints and requests for information filed with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, and charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Assist with developing and implementing training on Department policies and applicable laws; create and conduct PFFD training. Training must be approved by the designated Civil Rights Supervisor, Civil Rights Manager, or Deputy Chief HR Officer.
Track and analyze data concerning inquiries, investigations, findings, external complaints, and agency determinations; identify trends, areas for improvement, and potential legal implications.
Communicate trends and potential legal implications to employees, Department leadership, and Organizational Performance and Compliance when appropriate, including through training or other communication.
Help identify employment and promotion barriers affecting employees in various protected classes and assist leadership in developing strategies to address concerns.
Assist with Department matters within the purview of the Attorney General’s Office, including litigation and settlements, and help ensure that selected courses of action align with the Department’s mission, policies, business practices, and applicable law.
Travel throughout Colorado to conduct investigations and perform other job functions, sometimes overnight.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, 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
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Flexible schedules and other work-life programs
Training
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program