Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1

JobAps; Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Leadership development

Work/life balance

Job summary

DMHAS seeks an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1 to develop, implement, and monitor affirmative action and EEO programs. The role supports compliance with state and federal EEO laws and promotes equitable hiring practices within Connecticut’s health agency.

The position offers a hybrid work environment in Hartford, CT, with opportunities for leadership development and professional growth. A comprehensive benefits package and a collaborative workplace are highlighted in the offer.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of professional experience in affirmative action, equal opportunity assurance or human resources management.
• Two (2) years of the General Experience must have involved primary responsibility for affirmative action or equal opportunity assurance in an employment setting.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements affirmative action plans in an Equal Employment Opportunity program.
• Compiles and analyzes statistical affirmative action data.
• Develops and/or revises equal employment opportunity procedures.
• Defines and conducts outreach initiatives including recruitment efforts through community and minority organizations and career fairs.
• Conducts career counseling.
• Conducts discrimination complaint investigations.
• Counsels staff on equal employment opportunity matters.

Skills

Laws knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Investigative techniques

Counseling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Law degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Introduction

Are you committed to advancing fairness, equity, and inclusion in public service? Bring your expertise to DMHAS and help strengthen equal employment opportunity efforts across one of Connecticut’s largest health agencies. The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1 to support the development, implementation, and monitoring of the agency’s affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs. In this role, you will help ensure compliance with state and federal laws, contribute to equitable hiring practices, and foster an inclusive, fair workplace for all DMHAS employees and applicants.

Highlights

• DIVISION: Office of the Commissioner (OOC)
• LOCATION: Hartford, CT
• SCHEDULE: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (First Shift)
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: Hybrid
• POSITION NUMBER: 101505

What We Can Offer You

• Comprehensive benefits - visit the State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more
• Opportunities for leadership development, professional growth, and continued learning
• A supportive environment that values collaboration, compassion, and work/life balance

In This Role, You Will

• Support a workplace culture grounded in fairness, equity, and inclusion
• Promote equal access to opportunity for all employees and applicants
• Advocate for compliance with state and federal EEO and affirmative action laws
• Strengthen agency-wide initiatives that advance equitable employment practices
• Collaborate with staff, leadership, and community partners to achieve EEO goals

About Us

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

Please Note

A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace. This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In a state agency this class is accountable for developing and implementing affirmative action plans and conducting other activities in an Equal Employment Opportunity program.

Examples of Duties

• Develops and implements affirmative action plans in an Equal Employment Opportunity program;
• Compiles and analyzes statistical affirmative action data;
• Develops and/or revises equal employment opportunity procedures;
• Defines and conducts outreach initiatives including recruitment efforts through community and minority organizations and career fairs;
• Conducts career counseling;
• Conducts discrimination complaint investigations;
• Counsels staff on equal employment opportunity matters;
• Reviews supplier contracts to ensure incorporation of affirmative action considerations;
• Prepares reports;
• Assists Equal Employment Opportunity staff with special projects;
• Assists in training activities;
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May participate in employment interviews;
• May assist in development of equal employment opportunity policy;
• May assist in monitoring agency compliance with State of Connecticut Minority and Small Contractor's Set Aside Program;
• May participate in administering affirmative action for patient, student, inmate and/or client rights programs;
• May serve as agency's ADA coordinator;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill And Ability

• Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
• affirmative action programs;
• interviewing and counseling techniques;
• merit system selection process including recruitment, examination and classification;
• needs and issues of patients, inmates, students and/or clients;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• develop and implement affirmative action plans;
• compile, analyze and evaluate human resources records and statistical information;
• investigate;
• assess and define training requirements;
• utilize human resources information systems.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Six (6) years of professional experience in affirmative action, equal opportunity assurance or human resources management.

Minimum Qualifications - Special Experience

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have involved primary responsibility for affirmative action or equal opportunity assurance in an employment setting.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in public administration, human resources management, labor relations or a closely related field or a law degree may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• For state employees two (2) years of experience as an Equal Employment Opportunity Assistant may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience composing reports based on Federal and State laws and statistical data.
• Experience developing strategic recruitment efforts to reach targeted groups.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel, including formatting, document merge, and creating tables.
• Experience conducting investigations to resolve conflicts.
• Experience providing employer-employee relations counseling.
• Experience advocating for protected classes to ensure equal employment opportunity.

Special Requirements

• In accordance with Connecticut General Statute, incumbents in this class must complete five (5) hours of training during the first year of service or designation and a minimum of three (3) hours biannually thereafter. This training shall include (1) state and federal discrimination laws and (2) internal discrimination investigation techniques which will be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.