Human Rights Investigator

The Human Rights Investigator performs responsible work conducting investigations of discrimination complaints received by the Office of Human Rights and authorized by the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance. Prepares investigative reports for presentation to the Director for rendering determinations on allegations of unlawful discrimination. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Director of the Human Rights Commission.

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $31.62 - $37.30 an hour ($65,769.60 - $77,584.00 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following leave and retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.
• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)

• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Creates investigative plans for complaints of discrimination authorized by the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance and the Director.
• Develops and prepares investigative interview questions.
• Conducts thorough, fair, and impartial investigative interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses related to allegations of unlawful discrimination as authorized by the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance.
• May be required to conduct investigative interviews with a complainant, respondent, or witness at an external site.
• Corresponds with complainants, respondents, and witnesses to request information and evidence pertinent to investigations of discrimination.
• Prepares draft affidavits based on information gathered during investigative interviews.
• Prepares accurate and timely investigative reports for presentation to the Director.
• Testifies in court proceedings as necessary.
• Collects and maintains accurate data related to individual contacts and enters/updates information into the Office of Human Rights Service Provision and Case Management Databases.
• Interprets Office of Human Rights policies and assists the Director with the development and revision of standard operating procedures for the Office of Human Rights.
• Ensures processes comply with local, state, and/or federal regulations, laws, and standards.
• As needed, conducts or assists with intake meetings, prepares intake reports, and assists with the filing of jurisdictional complaint(s) and forms.
• As needed, assists individuals with preparing complaints for submission to state and federal agencies.
• As needed, assists with receiving incoming contacts to the Office of Human Rights via phone, email, and or in-person.
• As needed, may perform research and clerical duties for the Human Rights Commission and Office of Human Rights.
• As needed, may attend Human Rights Commission, City Council, or other appropriate Boards and Commissions meetings. 
• As needed, works occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, sociology, psychology, law, law enforcement, civil or human rights, or related field, AND 1 year of professional investigative and/or compliance work experience analyzing and evaluating facts and evidence; arriving at sound conclusions; writing reports and presenting investigative findings that shows resourcefulness, initiative, discretion, tact, and capability of obtaining the cooperation and confidence of others.

• Associate degree in public administration, sociology, psychology, law, law enforcement, civil or human rights, or related field AND 2 years of professional investigative and/or compliance work experience analyzing and evaluating facts and evidence; arriving at sound conclusions; writing reports and presenting investigative findings that shows resourcefulness, initiative, discretion, tact, and capability of obtaining the cooperation and confidence of others.

• High School diploma or GED AND 4 years of professional investigative and/or compliance work experience analyzing and evaluating facts and evidence; arriving at sound conclusions; writing reports and presenting investigative findings that shows resourcefulness, initiative, discretion, tact, and capability of obtaining the cooperation and confidence of others.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, sociology, psychology, law, law enforcement, civil or human rights, or related field.
• Prior experience in law or legal work, civil rights investigation/compliance or human rights investigation/compliance, or other related areas.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Valid Virginia Driver’s License and acceptable record, OR ability to provide own transportation to and from meetings and/or other external sites.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics: 
Job Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of investigative techniques and principles including maintaining investigative neutrality, preparing investigative interviews, gathering evidence, and writing reports.
• Thorough knowledge of state and federal guidelines and regulations pertaining to human and civil rights.
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications and the ability to work with electronic case files and databases.

Reading

• Advanced: ability to read and understand complex written materials such as books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.

Writing

• Intermediate: ability to write reports, prepare materials such as business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Basic: ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with peers, management, employees, clients, the public, and other agencies and organizations. Engages in respectful and sometimes difficult conversations with members of the community. Responds with effectiveness and sensitivity in the context of various cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by the community. Examples include contacts that may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Ability to research, analyze, measure, and interpret qualitative and quantitative information or data.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Requires regular and reliable attendance.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality with respect to information received from the public and others.
• Requires skill and tact in dealing with sensitive, controversial, and/or confidential information. 
• Excellent organizational, time management and customer service skills, along with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet multiple deadlines.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May require work on weekends and/or nights.

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• May be required to work outside of office, at offsite meetings or in clients’ homes.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.