Equal Opportunity Investigator 1*

General Description

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Investigations

• Research complex equal opportunities issues in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. This includes the use of investigative techniques to draft questions tailored to specific factual situations presented, gather information, documents, witness statements, and conduct on-site visits as necessary.
• Analyze findings, information gathered, relevant laws, and cases to determine “Probable Cause”, “No Probable Cause”, or “Probable Cause/No Probable Cause” with regard to discrimination. Draft document explaining analysis and determination as to the existence of probable discrimination.
• Represent Agency interests and have a working knowledge regarding Madison General Ordinance (MGO) 39.03 (one of the most comprehensive equal opportunities ordinances in the country), federal, and state laws. Quickly analyze situations as presented by the public to determine if the MGO 39.03 is implicated (i.e., interview individuals, determine jurisdiction, determine if facts present a prima facie case, draft complaints). Explain entire complaint process from intake stage through Mediation, Investigation, Conciliation, and Hearing stage in lay person terms.
• Assist in providing supervision and leadership to volunteer interns and support staff on issues related to the Equal Opportunities laws (federal, state, and MGO 39.03). Provide information, support, and analysis to housing providers, employers, businesses, and serve as a resource to other staff on these issues. Maintain awareness of resources available in greater Madison area.
• Develop and implement necessary policies, procedures, systems, and recordkeeping related to the Division’s work and new areas as requested by the Common Council, the Equal Opportunities Commission, Civil Rights Director, and Division Manager.

• Plan, schedule, and conduct training sessions, public meetings, and presentations to policy-making bodies, community groups, businesses, and other special interest groups of all sizes as necessary to accomplish Department mission.
• Create and present specially-tailored trainings to a wide variety of audiences on a variety of topics including discrimination, and other topics including areas where one has substantial responsibility (i.e., Investigative Techniques, Disability, Race and Age Discrimination, etc.).
• Author brochures, presentations, and articles for publication on website and for dissemination to diverse groups.
• Provide guidance and review work of other professional staff prior to public presentations.

• Represent the City on inter-agency teams, such as Neighborhood Resource Teams.
• Monitor local, state, and national community and media issues and brief Agency staff as needed. Provide related experience as appropriate. Interact with different community populations and stay actively involved with local community groups.
• Monitor legislative proposals and court cases at the federal, state, and local level which would affect the application and impact of MGO 39.03. Perform analysis on relevant proposals and cases and provide recommendations to Department Head, Division Manager, Equal Opportunities Commission, and other Agencies/Departments as appropriate.

• Serve as the agency specialist and provide specialized expertise, consultation, and guidance in areas of substantial responsibility (i.e., Fair Housing, Disability Discrimination, Conviction Record Discrimination, etc.). Prepare reports, analysis, and recommendations as requested and provide technical assistance to businesses, housing providers, public accommodations, the Equal Opportunities Commission, Common Council, Department Head, and Division Manager.
• Other Duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher.

• Associate's degree in paralegal, legal studies, or other related field.

• Two (2) years of experience with computer software applicable to the duties of the position in an office setting, preferably a legal office.

Special Requirements

• Ability to meet the transportation requirements of this position.
• The employee will be expected to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.

• Work is generally performed in an office environment using equipment such as a computer, telephone, and copier.
• The employee may have to travel to locations throughout the City to provide presentations, and will be expected to lift and carry relevant materials, including a laptop and handouts.

• Payroll title for this position is EO Investigator 1