Supervising Attorney Investigator

City of New York•Queens, NY

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts. The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is integral to the Department of Corrections’ efforts to ensure the integrity, professionalism, and accountability of its staff. The EEO Unit is responsible for conducting highly sensitive and confidential investigations into departmental employee complaints of discrimination and/or harassment. Additionally, the EEO unit is responsible for responding to all requests for reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation requests are made in connection with disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, religious beliefs, observances, and practices, or for victims of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking. The selected candidates’ primary function will be to supervise a team of EEO attorney investigators by conducting individualized case reviews and providing guidance on the investigative process, supervising fact-finding, and reviewing and correcting investigative reports. The EEO Attorney Investigator Supervisor will also be responsible for: Analyzing, evaluating and conducting fact-finding investigations concerning complaints of discrimination filed by employees; Performing EEO legal work and research of fact and questions of law; Interviewing charging parties, witnesses and respondents to obtain facts relevant to charges of discriminatory employment practices; Making written requests for clarification from the employee and/or seek documented evidence supporting their claims; Collecting documentation about agency policies and procedures and statistical evidence relevant to the complaint of discrimination. Engaging in activities including, but not limited to, writing investigative plans and reports; Outlining case questions to be asked and determining which documents to request; Contacting members of service and/or EEO liaisons for additional information; Gathering all relevant supporting documents; recommending penalties and resolutions; Providing advice on EEO legal matters. In addition, the EEO Attorney will be tasked with working with the Disability Rights Coordinator (DRC) as needed to determine eligibility and effective accommodations for individuals with disabilities under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADAAA, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable city, state and federal civil rights legislation; engage in and thoroughly document cooperative dialogue with reasonable accommodation applicants, conduct legal research in preparation of determinations; verify disability documentation provided by physicians or other appropriate professionals to determine eligibility and functional limitations requiring accommodation; thoroughly document basis for determination of eligibility for disability accommodations and services; ensure timely review of applications, eligibility, determination, and notification of accommodations; draft letters memorializing cooperative dialogue and determination of requests; maintain files in a highly confidential manner; and compile and analyze data to prepare reports and other outputs. The RA Attorney will also conduct regular and comprehensive assessments of the effectiveness of support resources by collecting and analyzing data; work collaboratively to assist with other department assessment activities; participate in the development of a tracking initiative; provide input on policy and program development for the office; and perform other duties as assigned. Attorneys assigned to EEO must be familiar with the Department and City’s EEO and RA policy. Attorneys may be required to visit facilities for site visits or other purposes at times.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar
One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar
Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086)
Must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment
One year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment (for AL II)
Two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment (for AL III)

Nice To Haves

Excellent communications skills
Strong analytical and writing skills
Ability to be objective and thorough in conducting investigations
Knowledge of Federal, State and City of New York discrimination laws

Responsibilities

Analyzing, evaluating and conducting fact-finding investigations concerning complaints of discrimination filed by employees
Performing EEO legal work and research of fact and questions of law
Interviewing charging parties, witnesses and respondents to obtain facts relevant to charges of discriminatory employment practices
Making written requests for clarification from the employee and/or seek documented evidence supporting their claims
Collecting documentation about agency policies and procedures and statistical evidence relevant to the complaint of discrimination
Writing investigative plans and reports
Outlining case questions to be asked and determining which documents to request
Contacting members of service and/or EEO liaisons for additional information
Gathering all relevant supporting documents
Recommending penalties and resolutions
Providing advice on EEO legal matters
Working with the Disability Rights Coordinator (DRC) as needed to determine eligibility and effective accommodations for individuals with disabilities under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADAAA, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable city, state and federal civil rights legislation
Engaging in and thoroughly documenting cooperative dialogue with reasonable accommodation applicants
Conducting legal research in preparation of determinations
Verifying disability documentation provided by physicians or other appropriate professionals to determine eligibility and functional limitations requiring accommodation
Thoroughly documenting basis for determination of eligibility for disability accommodations and services
Ensuring timely review of applications, eligibility, determination, and notification of accommodations
Drafting letters memorializing cooperative dialogue and determination of requests
Maintaining files in a highly confidential manner
Compiling and analyzing data to prepare reports and other outputs
Conducting regular and comprehensive assessments of the effectiveness of support resources by collecting and analyzing data
Working collaboratively to assist with other department assessment activities
Participating in the development of a tracking initiative
Providing input on policy and program development for the office
Performing other duties as assigned
Visiting facilities for site visits or other purposes