Human Rights Investigator

City of Charlottesville•Charlottesville, VA

About The Position

The Human Rights Investigator conducts investigations of discrimination complaints authorized by the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance and prepares investigative reports for the Director to use in making determinations on allegations of unlawful discrimination. The position works under the limited supervision of the Director of the Human Rights Commission. This is a full-time, non-exempt position. The preferred hiring range is $31.62–$37.30 per hour ($65,769.60–$77,584.00 annually); the starting offer depends on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. The role requires thorough, fair, and impartial investigation of complaints, careful handling of sensitive and confidential information, and effective communication with community members and other parties. The investigator maintains case data, supports Office of Human Rights procedures and intake work, and ensures processes comply with applicable regulations, laws, and standards. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. The position includes a benefits package with health insurance with an employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, professional development opportunities, paid vacation and sick leave, observed City holidays, a floating holiday, and retirement plan options. The City offers a defined benefit pension plan, a defined contribution 401a plan, and a voluntary 457 deferred compensation plan, as well as eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan.

Requirements

Qualifying education and experience may be demonstrated through experience other than formal education.
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, sociology, psychology, law, law enforcement, civil or human rights, or a related field, and one year of professional investigative and/or compliance experience analyzing and evaluating facts and evidence, reaching sound conclusions, writing reports, and presenting investigative findings; or an associate degree in one of these fields and two years of such experience; or a high school diploma or GED and four years of such experience.
Experience must demonstrate resourcefulness, initiative, discretion, tact, and the ability to obtain the cooperation and confidence of others.
Thorough knowledge of investigative techniques and principles, including investigative neutrality, interview preparation, evidence gathering, and report writing.
Thorough knowledge of state and federal guidelines and regulations pertaining to human and civil rights.
Knowledge of Microsoft applications and ability to work with electronic case files and databases.
Ability to read and understand complex written materials, including legal documents.
Ability to write reports and other materials with appropriate format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, professional relationships with peers, management, employees, clients, the public, and other agencies and organizations.
Ability to engage respectfully in difficult conversations and respond effectively and sensitively to varied cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs, including stressful interactions and aggressive interpersonal behavior.
Ability to complete work with limited direction, exercise judgment, manage special projects with little oversight, and seek supervisory assistance when needed.
Ability to research, analyze, measure, and interpret qualitative and quantitative information or data.
Excellent organizational, time-management, and customer-service skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet multiple deadlines.
Ability to work closely with others as part of a team and maintain strict confidentiality, including when handling sensitive, controversial, or confidential information.
Valid Virginia Driver’s License and acceptable record, or ability to provide own transportation to and from meetings and external sites.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.
May be required to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, sociology, psychology, law, law enforcement, civil or human rights, or a related field.
Prior experience in law or legal work, civil rights investigation or compliance, human rights investigation or compliance, or related areas.

Responsibilities

Create investigative plans for discrimination complaints authorized by the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance and the Director.
Develop and prepare investigative interview questions.
Conduct thorough, fair, and impartial investigative interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses; interviews may take place at external sites.
Correspond with complainants, respondents, and witnesses to request information and evidence relevant to investigations.
Prepare draft affidavits based on information gathered during investigative interviews.
Prepare accurate and timely investigative reports for presentation to the Director.
Testify in court proceedings as necessary.
Collect and maintain accurate data about individual contacts and enter or update information in the Office of Human Rights service provision and case management databases.
Interpret Office of Human Rights policies and assist the Director in developing and revising standard operating procedures.
Ensure processes comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, laws, and standards.
As needed, conduct or assist with intake meetings, prepare intake reports, and assist with filing jurisdictional complaints and forms.
As needed, assist individuals with preparing complaints for submission to state and federal agencies.
As needed, assist with incoming contacts to the Office of Human Rights by phone, email, or in person.
As needed, perform research and clerical duties for the Human Rights Commission and Office of Human Rights.
As needed, attend Human Rights Commission, City Council, or other appropriate board and commission meetings.
Use and maintain City equipment, tools, and other resources appropriately, including work time.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
Perform additional duties to support operational requirements as assigned or apparent.

Benefits

Health insurance with employer contribution
Employer-paid life insurance
Gym membership reimbursement
Tuition assistance
Professional development opportunities
Vacation leave accruing at 3.09 hours bi-weekly, increasing with years of service
Sick leave accruing at 4.62 hours bi-weekly, approximately 120 hours per year, with no limit on accumulation
13 paid observed City holidays
One floating holiday to be taken during the fiscal year
Choice of a defined benefit pension plan or defined contribution 401a plan
Voluntary 457 deferred compensation plan
Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan
Portability Agreement for eligible employees