Manager, EEO & Affirmative Action Programs

Chicago Transit Authority•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Develops, implements, monitors, and manages the day-to-day requirements of CTA's EEO Unit, including investigations, training, affirmative action monitoring and all related Title VI and Title VII compliance in accordance with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular document, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and other applicable Federal, State and City of Chicago regulatory agencies and other applicable law. Routinely reviews all EEO Unit Administrative Procedure documents which cover harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace, Title VI customer complaints and sexual harassment complaints and recommends revisions and updates as needed in response to regulation modifications and applicable law. Responsible for comprehensive record management of the EEO Unit’s electronic complainant case files; works with CTA’s Law department on the retrieval of case files as needed for responses to oversight agencies, lawsuits, litigation, and relevant review. Develops and delivers training on a variety of EEO-related topics for managers, supervisors, and CTA personnel in various classifications. Collaborates with various department stakeholders to ensure the Authority follows all EEO laws and federal regulations. Frequently collaborates with personnel from various CTA departments to ensure unrelated complaints received by the EEO Unit are redistributed for handling by the appropriate department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Policy or Business Administration, or a related field, plus five (5) years of experience in Diversity, Fair Employment Practice Enforcement, Human Resources, or Labor Relations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Prior experience in managerial level work with EEO, Title VI, Title VII, or related work.
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to EEO and Title VI policies.
Working knowledge of the methods and techniques of complaint investigation, interviewing, processing and resolution, conflict management, conflict resolution practices including mediation, and negotiation.
Working knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.
Working knowledge of statistics and how to apply/interpret statistics and trends.
Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
Strong written and oral communication skills required. Writing sample may be requested.
Good interpersonal skills in dealing with external groups and/or organizations.
Intermediate computer skills applicable to this position, i.e., related database software, technical reporting, and statistical analysis.
Good customer service skills.
Ability to develop and coordinate informational meetings on EEO programs.
Ability to plan and participate in outreach activities.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Ability to work collaboratively with other operational departments i.e., Law.
Ability to fully and impartially investigate complaints of harassment and discrimination.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Degree preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Establishes, develops, and manages the day-to-day operations of the Authority's EEO Unit, including comprehensive management of Title VI and Title VII investigations.
Responsible for affirmative action monitoring.
In partnership with the department Director, responsible for the development and submittal of CTA's EEO program (EEOP) and Title VI Triennial report to the FTA.
Ensures programs and procedures implemented are in compliance with professional standards, federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and laws.
Oversees investigations into internal and external complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on any of the following grounds: sex, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, transgendered status, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law that involve potential violations of CTA’s Title VI and Title VII programs. This also includes overseeing the Unit’s complaint process to ensure appropriate follow-up, timely resolution of conflict for all investigations, complaints, and other workplace inquiries.
Serves as an impartial mediator to resolve employee conflict when necessary and/or required.
Manages the implementation and application of EEO related policies and procedures.
Confers with EEO Director/Officer, on determinations made in response to Title VII complaints.
Provides advice and counsel to the Authority's management and non-management personnel regarding EEO's practices, policies, and procedures, and employment laws.
Performs analysis of CTA’s AA related data, including applicant flow, hiring, terminations, promotions, salaries, and transfers, and collaborates with Human Resources to address any diversity shortfalls in accordance with the FTA Circular document.
Manages record keeping and reporting systems in preparation for the development and submittal of CTA’s EEO program, Title VI Triennial reports, and reports submitted to CTA’s President’s Office.
Creates and develops trainings on various areas of diversity and sexual harassment prevention.
Creates toolkits and manuals to supplement the trainings as needed.
Regularly evaluates training needs and the success of training programs to assess their impacts. Administers EEO training to new employees, senior management, transitioning personnel, and tailored training based on the department's recommendation or to satisfy the requested needs of a particular work location.
Manages diversity and inclusion initiatives, assists with the development of ERGs, and works with personnel in CTA’s Employee Engagement department on heritage and cultural month celebrations. Evaluates and/or develops internal/external outreach initiatives and projects that support inclusion and equitable remedies in the workforce and align with the Authority’s EEO/AA commitments.
Stays abreast of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the EEO Unit’s Title VI and Title VII programs and its Affirmative Action efforts while making the appropriate recommendations to leadership to ensure CTA's continued compliance.
Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of reporting investigative. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.
Performs related duties as assigned.