Human Rights Commission Staff Attorney Investigator

State of Vermont•Calais, VT

44d•Remote

About The Position

The Human Rights Commission seeks a dedicated Staff Attorney Investigator to join our expanding team working to uphold, defend, and advance civil rights in Vermont. The successful candidate will join a passionate team of colleagues committed to a Vermont in which all people, regardless of identity, have access to a life free of discrimination. The Staff Attorney Investigator is responsible for investigating allegations of discrimination in housing, state government employment, and places of public accommodations (schools, prisons, restaurants, law enforcement, hospitals, etc.). The staff attorney investigator develops, organizes, and executes an investigation plan which includes conducting legal research, taking sworn testimony, conducting extensive, complex document review, and preparing a detailed report with findings of fact, legal analysis of the relevant state and federal statutes, regulations, and case law before reaching a preliminary recommendation of whether there are or are not reasonable grounds to believe that discrimination occurred. Additionally, the staff attorney investigator recommends necessary training and/or changes to practices and procedures for responding parties, engages in conciliation efforts with represented and unrepresented parties, drafts legally enforceable settlement agreements, and monitors compliance with conciliated agreements. HRC is recruiting for this position at the Staff Attorney II or III level, depending on experience. A candidate considered for the Staff Attorney III level must have 3 or more years of experience with civil litigation and will be expected to perform investigative as well as litigation-related duties, such as conducting discovery and depositions, assisting with trial preparation, and engaging in motion practice before the Vermont Civil Division. All staff are required to conduct other Commission duties as needed. Work is performed with significant independence and autonomy under the direction of the HRC’s Executive Director.

Requirements

Law Degree and/or completion of requirements for admission to Vermont Bar.
Minimum 2-3 years work experience as a licensed attorney.
Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public/community service.
Knowledge and understanding of investigative principles, procedures, and techniques.
Knowledge of and experience with interviewing and interrogating witnesses.
Ability to analyze and evaluate facts and applicable law in novel and complex cases with minimal legal precedence and guidance.
Demonstrated ability to analyze, evaluate, and summarize voluminous documentary evidence.
Knowledge of applicable state and federal anti-discrimination statutes and relevant case law.
Ability to read and interpret regulations and policies of considerable complexity with minimal supervision and support.
Ability to prepare detailed reports that include factual and legal analysis that may be 20-40 pages in length.
Demonstrable track record of displaying sound judgment and working thoroughly and objectively on matters of extreme confidentiality.
Experience bringing a trauma-informed approach to lawyering and communication.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Experience working with a variety of population groups, including people with limited English proficiency, people with diverse racial and ethnic identities, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collegial and effective working relationships.
Ability to work independently.
Demonstrated dispute and conflict resolution skills.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the principles and practices of negotiation and mediation.
3 or more years of experience with civil litigation (for Staff Attorney III level).
Experience with discovery and trial practice in Vermont court or administrative law setting (preferred).

Responsibilities

Investigating allegations of discrimination in housing, state government employment, and places of public accommodations.
Developing, organizing, and executing an investigation plan.
Conducting legal research.
Taking sworn testimony.
Conducting extensive, complex document review.
Preparing detailed reports with findings of fact and legal analysis.
Recommending necessary training and/or changes to practices and procedures for responding parties.
Engaging in conciliation efforts with represented and unrepresented parties.
Drafting legally enforceable settlement agreements.
Monitoring compliance with conciliated agreements.
Conducting discovery and depositions (for Staff Attorney III level).
Assisting with trial preparation (for Staff Attorney III level).
Engaging in motion practice before the Vermont Civil Division (for Staff Attorney III level).
Conducting other Commission duties as needed.