Civil Rights Specialist Senior – Suffolk, VA

Austin Community College; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Community College is seeking a Civil Rights Specialist Senior in Suffolk, VA. This role supports the Civil Rights program by ensuring compliance with guidelines, conducting investigations, and leading training on civil rights legislation.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, the ability to work independently, and knowledge of federal civil rights laws. Experience with DBE, OJT, and labor programs is preferred. This position plays a key role in promoting equality and resolving discrimination issues.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and self-direct.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Skills in counseling, mediating, and negotiating.
• Knowledge of federal civil rights legislation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and ensure compliance with civil rights programs.
• Lead investigations of discrimination complaints.
• Provide training related to EEO/Civil Rights.
• Assess impacts related to Title VI and Environmental Justice.

Skills

Self-directed work

Effective communication

Subject matter training

Investigating complaints

Analyzing data

Mediating workplace conflicts

Customer service

Knowledge of federal civil rights laws

Education

Training in Business, Law, or related field

Tools

Computer software applications

Job description

Civil Rights Specialist Senior - Suffolk, VA

Support the Civil Rights program by coordinating assigned programs to ensure projects and activities are conducted in compliance with applicable guidelines. This position is responsible for administering the district’s Title VI program and affirmative action program plan. This position has full responsibility and accountability for all investigations and subsequent findings personally conducted. This position provides leadership and guidance with external programs’ compliance enforcement. In the absence of the Civil Rights Manager, takes on full responsibilities.

How you will contribute:

• Affirmative Action Program: Oversees or conducts quarterly analyses of personnel actions and their effects on the affirmative action program; works with district managers to affect change in promoting goal achievements. Creates and implements training for program areas including but not limited to Title VII and Sexual Harassment.
• Complaint Investigation: Leads investigative team or investigates discrimination complaints within established timeframes. Tracks and reports investigation progress. Ensures appropriate recommendations for solution are made based on applicable law, regulation and policy. Ensures timely response to external enforcement agencies. Assists in responding to Office of the Attorney General for civil action filed against the agency. Counsels employees and supervisors related to EEO issues. Demonstrates sensitivity and objectivity.
• Contractor Employment Review: Oversees assessment of contractors’ employment and business practices under the EEO, DBE, OJT and Labor compliance programs. Ensures reports are prepared accurately and submitted by due dates. Investigates violations and determines corrective actions within Department guidelines.
• Reasonable Accommodation: Reviews reasonable accommodation requests under the Title VII, PWFA, and ADA. Processes requests for accommodations within established timeframes for final approval by Civil Rights Manager. Ensures all requests for accommodation are based on applicable law, regulation and policy. Provides guidance on the reasonable accommodation process to supervisors and employees.
• Title VI Program: Administers Title VI program by assessing possible impacts under Environmental Justice and Limited English Proficiency; provides feedback to appropriate Section. Attends public meetings and hearings. Prepares and submits annual assessment by due date. Assesses accessibility issues under the ADA and Section 504.
• Training: Conducts periodic EEO/Civil Rights training to include prevention of sexual harassment training for the district offices as requested. Assists supervisors, personnel and employees with Equal Employment Opportunity issues through informal mediation.

What will make you successful:

• Ability to be self-directed and work independently in concert with all levels of management, employees, construction industry representatives and local and state officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to create and conduct subject matter training sessions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, employees and our external customers.
• Ability to investigate complaints of discrimination.
• Ability to make logical conclusions and recommendations based on analyzed data gathered from several sources.
• Ability to mediate and facilitate resolution of high stakes workplace conflicts.
• Ability to monitor team's work product for accuracy and completion and prepare progress reports.
• Ability to provide guidance to external government agencies on civil rights requirements.
• Ability to provide guidance to team members on conducting investigations of discrimination.
• Ability to read and interpret contract language and federal regulations and provide subject matter guidance.
• Knowledge of Federal Civil Rights laws and regulations including Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Restoration Act, 49 CFR Part 21, 23 CFR Part 200 and 23 CFR Part 230.
• Knowledge of federal programs related to DBE, Labor, Compliance, and OJT.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).
• Knowledge of transportation design and construction processes and nomenclature.
• Skill in providing and promoting good customer service to internal and external customers.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to be self-directed and work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to work independently.
• Ability to consult and identify compliance issues.
• Ability to establish, maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, employees and external customers.
• Ability to traverse road construction areas.
• Knowledge of federal programs related to DBE, Labor and OJT.
• Skill in counseling, mediating and negotiating.
• Skill in investigating complaints of discrimination and leading others in the investigative process.
• Skill in managing programs and individuals.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.
• Skill in working within the civil rights arena.

Additional Considerations:

• A combination of training, experience, or education in Business, Law, Public Administration, Human Resources Management or related field desired.
• Experience with DBE, OJT, and Labor programs.
• Experience with Title VI public involvement process.
• Experience with assessing Environmental Justice implications. Experience working with an Aff
• Experience working within highway construction environment.
• Progressive experience in investigating complaints of discrimination and compiling report of findings. Experience with the application of federal civil rights regulations.