HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR TRAINEE SS

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is a trainee role within the Department of Human Rights, specifically for the Intake Human Rights Investigator I position. The trainee program lasts from six to eighteen months, during which participants will receive comprehensive training and work assignments designed to develop the skills necessary for an Intake Human Rights Investigator. Key activities include interviewing complainants, determining agency jurisdiction, taking charges of alleged discrimination, and preparing daily production reports. The role also involves communicating in Spanish with individuals who do not speak or read English and receiving training on the interviewing and processing of discrimination charges in accordance with the Human Rights Act, rules, regulations, and operating procedures. The position is located in either the Chicago or Springfield office.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college preferably with coursework in business, public, or personnel administration or social sciences.
Requires no previous experience.
Requires ability to speak and write in Spanish at a colloquial skill level in carrying out position duties in conjunction with non-English speaking individuals.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.

Nice To Haves

Prefers a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Social Sciences, Criminal Justice, English or Pre-Law, that required extensive analysis and writing.
Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience creating legal or regulatory documentation (reports, correspondence, presentations) tailored to diverse audiences.
Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience collaborating effectively with a range of stakeholders (complainants, respondents, agency personnel) in sensitive contexts.
Prefers extensive knowledge of researching, collecting, and analyzing complex information and data such as relevant case law.
Prefers working knowledge applying laws, interpreting regulations (especially the Illinois Human Rights Act) rules, and/or policy & procedures to make comprehensive written recommendations.
Prefers working knowledge of legal terminology, investigative skills & strategy acquired through working in a law office or similar legal environment.
Prefers working organizational skills to maintain a significant caseload with varying deadlines while still maintaining other job-related requirements.

Responsibilities

Participates in a Department sponsored trainee program for a period of six to eighteen months for the Intake Human Rights Investigator I position.
Receives training in discrimination charge intake duties and responsibilities.
Interviews walk-in, mail-in, and telephone inquiries of potential complainants by ascertaining agency jurisdiction, pursuant to the Human Rights Act.
Reviews questionnaire forms and letters from potential complainants, and other evidential records furnished before taking a charge.
Receives training in how to collect, evaluate and analyze the required information to process perfected and unperfected charges of discrimination.
Receives training on the proper method for submitting to the Human Rights Program Supervisor: written recommendations for action on complainant allegations in the form of correspondence, charges, and reports for charges to be dismissed out of the Intake Unit.
Communicates in Spanish to individuals who do not speak or read English; Receives training in how to log all intake activity on a daily basis by recording filing statistics and related information, including the number of walk-in inquiries, mail-in inquiries, telephone inquiries, the number of perfected and unperfected charges taken, the number of charges dismissed out of the Intake unit, the number of inquiries referred, the number of charges not filed and the number of inquiries over which the department has no jurisdiction.
Performs other duties as assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Benefits

A Pension Program
Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)