Human Rights Specialist

City of Detroit • DWSD -735 Randolph Detroit MI 48226, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Human Rights Specialist serves as a subject-matter expert in human rights, equal employment opportunity, workplace investigations, employee relations, and workplace culture. The position independently conducts complex and sensitive investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, workplace misconduct, and other employee concerns; identifies systemic workplace issues and organizational risk; develops and implements culture-improvement initiatives; advises leaders regarding workplace practices; and recommends proactive interventions designed to improve employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and compliance.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of employment discrimination and civil rights laws
• Advanced knowledge of workplace investigation methodologies
• Advanced knowledge of employee relations
• Advanced knowledge of workplace culture and organizational dynamics
• Advanced knowledge of conflict resolution
• Advanced knowledge of interviewing and credibility assessment
• Advanced knowledge of evidence evaluation
• Advanced knowledge of organizational risk management
• Advanced knowledge of Emotional Intelligence
• Demonstrated ability to conduct investigation and research.
• Demonstrated ability to use personal computers, common office software and office equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally with tact and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to write concise, yet detailed reports and communicate in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and expedite processes and activities involving multiple organizational levels and contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and effectively communicate regulations and policies.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to workplace dynamics in a timely and proactive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct complex workplace investigations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze conflicting testimony and evidence.
• Demonstrated ability to make objective and defensible factual findings.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize systemic workplace issues beyond an individual complaint.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose workplace culture problems and recommend practical interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with employees while maintaining professional neutrality.
• Demonstrated ability to advise executives and senior managers regarding sensitive workplace matters.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate difficult conversations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage emotionally charged workplace situations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver professional training.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret workforce data and identify meaningful trends.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare executive-level reports and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion with highly confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to balance employee concerns with legitimate operational and organizational requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise substantial independent judgment with limited supervision.
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in human resources, employee relations, public administration, business management, business administration or a related field.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or more of the following areas: workplace investigations, employee relations, EEO or civil rights compliance, organizational development, conflict resolution; or organizational compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced training or continuing education in human resources management or civil rights and practices preferred.
• Work is performed in the plant or office environment.
• Work may be performed near excessive noise and moving objects/vehicles.
• Valid Michigan Driver’s License
• Employees in this class are required to undergo alcohol and drug screening and are subject to a criminal background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Perform timely, thorough, detailed investigations of allegations of violations of City ordinances, state law, federal law and department policies regarding discrimination, harassment and workplace violence.
• Confer with, advise and provide recommendations to leadership relating to the correction of policy violations and compliance with applicable workplace laws and policies.
• Work on special projects, as assigned by the Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development.
• Develop and implement a workplace culture improvement strategy.
• Perform workplace climate assessments and use the data to analyze trends and provide recommendations on improvements.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to promote Equal employment opportunity and civil rights compliance.
• Assist with policy development and organizational standards.
• Conflict resolution and early intervention.

What This Job Offers

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