HR Specialist, Investigations

BCPS•Towson, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Investigates complaints of alleged employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and related policies and rules, as well as employee incidents of misconduct, child abuse and neglect, bullying, and criminal activity related to compliance with applicable laws and regulations and policies and rules. Prepares and presents reports, findings, and determinations. Coordinates background investigations of applicants for employment. Evaluates and resolves employee requests for workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and other applicable laws and regulations. Analyzes background records of employees, candidates for employment, service providers, volunteers, and others. Assists in administering the Office of Investigations and Records Management (OIRM) and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources investigations.
Possession of a valid class C Maryland driver's license or an equivalent is required.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources investigations.
Knowledge of employment discrimination laws and regulations including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and State Government Article Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland, as well as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Knowledge of EEO-related laws and regulations.
Knowledge of the principles and best practices of management.
Knowledge of criminal justice, law enforcement, and security.
Knowledge of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Family Law Article, Part IV, Maryland Criminal Law Article and related laws and regulations pertaining to background checks and investigations.
Knowledge of the Criminal Justice Information System.
Knowledge and skill with technology and office software application; database, spreadsheet, word processing, and related applications.
Knowledge of and skill in data analysis.
Demonstrated ability in conducting personnel or employee relations investigations.
Critical thinking skills, a strong work ethic, solid organizational and time management skills, a willingness and ability to adapt to sudden changes.
Exceptional writing skills, organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to conduct thorough and professional interviews.
Ability to adhere to established timelines for completion of all investigations, including EEO and employee misconduct.
Demonstrated proficiency with communication skills, both written and oral.
Skill in preparing and presenting reports.
Skill in speaking and presenting before groups.
Skill in conducting background checks of current and potential employees.
Skill in interviewing parties to determine the facts of a case.
Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to maintain confidential information.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to maintain files and records accurately.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctorate (JD) or advanced degree in English, political science, government affairs, public administration, human resources, or a related field preferred.
Five years demonstrated EEO investigation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations of allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation related to compliance with EEO laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, ADA, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and State Government Article Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland and other related laws and regulations and policies and rules.
Facilitates the interactive process to evaluate employee workplace accommodation requests.
Acts as designee of the EEO Officer to issue decisions consistent with applicable policies, procedures, laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the ADA; PWFA; and Title VII.
Conducts internal investigations of allegations of serious employee misconduct including child abuse and neglect and criminal activities.
Collaborates with law enforcement officials and other external agency partners to resolve matters.
Conducts internal investigations of allegations of employee misconduct and workplace bullying related to compliance with Board of Education Policies and Superintendent's Rules.
Prepares questions for and conducts thorough interviews of parties, witnesses and other involved individuals in compliance with policies and procedures and any applicable collective bargaining agreements to determine the facts of the case.
Obtains affidavits as appropriate.
Conducts unbiased reviews of complaint files, correspondence, and other documents to determine facts of the case.
Analyzes video footage and other relevant evidence.
Conducts professional analysis of facts gathered during the course of investigations to determine whether there has been a violation of Board of Education Policies, Superintendent's Rules, and relevant laws and regulations.
Drafts investigative reports, summarizing relevant facts to analyze against policies and rules and applicable laws and regulations.
Prepares statements of position and responds to requests for information related to complaints filed with external agencies, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), and local human relations commissions.
Prepares and presents reports of findings and determinations.
Testifies in criminal trials and administrative hearings.
Represents the Baltimore County Public Schools at fact-finding hearings, unemployment hearings, external government agency mediations, and related events as appropriate.
Coordinates background checks of current, potential, and contractual employees.
Gathers, verifies, and analyzes data, documentation, and reports.
Conducts follow-up on I-9 concerns.
Identifies potentially disqualifying information, falsification, and material omissions on applications for employment.
Interviews applicants who disclose potentially disqualifying information and determines their suitability for employment.
Analyzes and develops procedures and practices related to background checks and investigations.
Provides advice to management regarding matters related to background checks and investigations for employees, substitutes, student interns, and volunteers.
Receives and analyzes alerts of post-employment arrests.
Investigates cases and reviews employees’ continued suitability for employment.
Interviews employees and supervisors.
Drafts reports and memoranda to analyze evidence against applicable policies, rules, laws and regulations.
Coordinates with inter-office and related office staff to support monitoring of employees placed on administrative leave.
Travels throughout Baltimore County and other local jurisdictions to conduct special investigations.
Conducts or assists with random audits of background check records for contractors and other vendors and investigations protocols and procedures.
Assists with creation and revision of standard operating procedures for the Office of Investigations and Records Management and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
Consults with administrators and supervisors and provides guidance on matters pertaining to progressive discipline, employee misconduct, employee assistance program, training resources and other resources to improve workplace behaviors.
Assists in preparation and presentation of training programs and workshops.
Maintains files and electronic databases.
Documents all case activities from the initial complaint to resolution and closing the investigative file.
Performs other duties as assigned.