Civil Rights Specialist

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50315 - Polk County, IA

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

Join Our Team – Make a Difference in Civil Rights Enforcement Are you a law school graduate or a professional with strong legal writing experience looking for a meaningful career in public service? Do you have a passion for justice and a commitment to enforcing civil rights? If so, the Iowa Office of Civil Rights (IOCR) wants to hear from you! We are seeking a Civil Rights Specialist (Employment Law Focus) to join our dedicated team. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, enjoys in-depth legal analysis, and is ready to make a real impact on civil rights enforcement in Iowa. At IOCR, we are more than just an office—we are a team of hardworking professionals committed to fairness, equality, and justice. Our work directly impacts the lives of Iowans by enforcing civil rights protections. We foster an open and collaborative culture where your contributions are valued, and your skills are put to meaningful use. Our office handles a high volume of discrimination complaints, carefully analyzing facts and legal standards to uphold the Iowa Civil Rights Act. This means collecting documents, conducting interviews, and drafting detailed legal reports. If you have strong analytical and writing skills, this is your opportunity to play a critical role in civil rights enforcement.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to two years of full-time work as an investigator requiring knowledge in civil rights laws or criminal investigation, including drafting investigative reports which involve application of relevant statutes.
• A total of six years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• Must be free to travel occasionally and work varied hours.
• Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.

Nice To Haves

• Strong legal writing experience
• Passion for justice and a commitment to enforcing civil rights
• Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Enjoys in-depth legal analysis

Responsibilities

• Review and investigate complaints of discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, credit, and education.
• Conduct interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses.
• Analyze records, gather comparative evidence, and apply legal standards to determine if discrimination occurred.
• Prepare clear, well-reasoned written reports outlining investigative findings and legal analysis.
• Work closely with a team of legal professionals dedicated to civil rights in Iowa.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with opportunities for increases.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and nine paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) pension plan and optional 401A retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Employee discounts on wellness programs, recreation, travel, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level