Specialist II, Equal Opportunity

City of Fort Collins•Fort Collins, CO

About The Position

The Specialist II, Equal Opportunity manages the City's compliance programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including Title II, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable federal and state accessibility, civil rights, and language access requirements. The Specialist serves as the City's ADA Coordinator and Title VI Coordinator, working across City departments to identify and address barriers to City programs, services, activities, and information. A key responsibility is handling community complaints and concerns. The Specialist reviews and investigates complaints, gathers and evaluates information, applies established requirements, documents findings and decisions, and works with departments and community members to resolve concerns and follow through on needed actions. The position builds trusted relationships with community members who may experience barriers to accessing City services, information, or decision-making processes. The Specialist also serves as staff liaison to the Disability Advisory Board and works with City departments on projects, policies, processes, and improvements affecting accessibility and equitable access. Success requires sound judgment, strong writing and analytical skills, curiosity, discretion, careful listening, and the ability to work through complex or sensitive issues and turn legal and policy requirements into practical solutions. The Specialist must be able to learn complex subject matter, work independently, recognize when additional expertise is needed, and build strong working relationships across the organization and community. Under the direction of the Lead Equal Opportunity Investigator and in partnership with the Equity and Inclusion Officer, this position works independently under general supervision and according to City and departmental policies and procedures and applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, policies, procedures, and contractual agreements.

Requirements

Six years of related experience or equivalent education.
Six years of experience in ADA, Title VI compliance, or a related field; alternatively, a combination of experience and education in Human Resources, Business Administration, Human Services, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Demonstrated cultural competence when interacting and working with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
Strong learning orientation and ability to adapt to changing issues and trends.
Ability to read and comprehend City and Service Area/Department policies, regulations, rules, and standard operating procedures.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
Ability to use routine software and business applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and community members.
Ability to apply judgment in defined situations, seek guidance when variables arise, analyze options, identify solutions, and support efficient program operations.
Ability to collaborate, navigate internal procedures with customers, share information, and take responsibility for individual outcomes.
Knowledge of best practices for effective training programs related to disability, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
Knowledge of key provisions and requirements of the ADA and other federal, state, and local laws concerning the rights of people with disabilities.
Knowledge of key provisions and requirements of Title VI and other federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
Knowledge of appropriate accommodations, including effective communication, program modifications, and barrier removal, to ensure access to programs, services, and activities.
Ability to review and investigate complaints and concerns, navigate disagreements, support problem-solving, and work toward resolution.
Knowledge of accessibility practices related to effective communication, reasonable modifications, physical access, language access, and digital accessibility.
Familiarity with accessibility standards and universal design principles applicable to public facilities, outdoor spaces, programs, and services.

Nice To Haves

ADA Training Coordinator Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the City's ADA Coordinator, Title VI Coordinator, and primary contact for accessibility, language access, and related civil rights matters affecting community members.
Review, investigate, and resolve community complaints and concerns involving ADA Title II, Section 504, Title VI, and language access.
Gather and evaluate information, apply established requirements, document findings and decisions, communicate with involved parties, and coordinate resolution and follow-up.
Seek guidance on complex, unusual, sensitive, or higher-risk matters.
Maintain accurate records of accessibility requests, civil rights complaints, decisions, resolutions, appeals, and significant follow-up.
Identify compliance gaps, recurring concerns, and barriers, and work with departments to address them.
Develop and coordinate the City's ADA Transition Plan, Title VI Plan, Digital Accessibility Plan, and Language Access Plan in partnership with City departments.
Track commitments and progress, follow up with departments, identify gaps or barriers, bring together people needed to address them, and prepare required updates and reports.
Develop and provide practical training, guidance, and tools to help City staff understand and meet accessibility, Title VI, and language access requirements.
Serve as staff liaison to the Disability Advisory Board, building relationships with Board members, coordinating meetings and materials, helping members navigate City processes, and connecting them with relevant City departments, projects, and programs.
Build trusted and collaborative working relationships with City staff, community members, and organizations representing people with disabilities and other communities affected by the City's civil rights and access requirements.
Participate in Office of Equity & Inclusion programs, events, community outreach, and other office activities.
Maintain relationships with relevant agencies and ADA and Title VI professionals in other organizations to stay current on requirements and strengthen City practices.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee, spouse or domestic partner, and children, eligible on the first of the month following hire.
Paid vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave.
A one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new full-time Classified and Unclassified Management hires.
Retirement plan with company contributions after a six-month probation period and immediate vesting.
Flexible spending accounts for medical expenses and dependent care.
Employee Assistance Program offering counseling, legal, and financial assistance.
Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Wellness program and workout facilities.
Employee and family onsite health clinic.
Learning and development opportunities at all levels, with opportunities for career mobility.
Collaborative work environment.