Equal Opportunity Investigator

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); New York (NY); On-site; USD 88,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government agency is seeking an Equal Opportunity Investigator in New York. This role involves conducting complex investigations related to alleged discrimination, preparing impartial reports, and supporting compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Ideal candidates will possess strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills, with a minimum of five years in a similar role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience conducting discrimination investigations required.
• BA/BS in a related field required; advanced degrees may substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough investigations including interviews and document reviews.
• Prepare written reports representing investigatory findings.

Skills

Interpersonal Communication

Critical Thinking

Investigative Skills

Education

BA/BS from an accredited college

Master's degree

Juris Doctorate

Job description

JOB TITLE : Equal Opportunity Investigator

SALARY RANGE : $88,181.36 - $110,226.70

HAY POINTS : 451

DEPT/DIV: Department of Diversity & Civil Rights (DDCR)

SUPERVISOR : Senior Director, Title VI & Workforce Initiatives

LOCATION : 2 Broadway

This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

SUMMARY :

Under general direction of the Deputy EO Officer or the Director of Investigations the Equal Opportunity Investigator will conduct moderately to complex, sensitive and multi-faceted investigations for both internal employees and external applicant, customer and communities pertaining to alleged discriminatory treatment. The Equal Opportunity Investigator will also assist with trend analysis and partnering with stakeholders to develop appropriate action planning to address areas of concern made visible through the complaint data.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

Fundamental duties of the Equal Opportunity Investigator include but are not limited to:

• Conduct thorough and timely Equal Opportunity investigations to include (but not limited to) race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health choices, pregnancy, marital/familiar/partnership/caregiver status, family structure, predisposing genetic characteristic, genetic information or mental/physical disability, low-income and minority status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and/or sex offenses, or any legally protected basis. Investigations will range from routine to complex and include interviewing employees, applicants, customers, and community members as a neutral fact finder, reviewing documents, and analyzing data in a timely manner.
• Prepare written reports and summary of findings, with supporting documentation, that are fair, impartially representing the facts, and investigatory analysis to determine whether the facts suggest the complaining party was subjected to behavior (or incident) that constitutes a violation of MTA policy.
• Provide Information for and attend discipline review meetings to provide investigation findings, as needed.
• Liaise with appropriate business units and HR to convey all HR related concerns resulting from investigations.
• Support internal and external Equal Opportunity related investigations, complaints, inquiries, and charges across the enterprise.
• Assist in the response to external inquiries and charges in partnership with appropriate business areas and Legal.
• Conduct research and analysis in partnership with Agency Equal Opportunity leads to provide insight into environmental trends as it relates to internal and external EEO complaints.
• Other duties as assigned by senior management.

Specific programmatic responsibilities of the EO Investigator:

• Perform intake of informal and formal complaints and identify the relevant scope of complaints and make recommendations of interim measures, when needed.
• Compose investigative plans, which include deciding which witnesses to interview, outlining which questions to ask, and planning which documents to request and how to acquire documents.
• Interview witnesses to obtain complete and thorough responses to questions.
• Write investigative reports and make recommendations to the Chief Equal Opportunity Officer based on investigatory findings.
• Secure relevant documentation to prove or disprove allegations in complaint.
• Conduct thorough analysis of evidence gathered in accordance with applicable equal opportunity laws, regulations and established internal policies and procedures.
• Follow up on all new complaints in a timely manner.
• Work under the direction of senior Equal Opportunity staff and on complex (or cross Agency) investigations to ensure prompt and thorough resolution of complaints.
• Maintain accurate and thorough records and notes of investigatory process.
• Manage and track multiple intake and investigations at any given time with competing priorities, while handling other projects simultaneously.
• Facilitate informal resolution of complaints, when appropriate. Document efforts and conclusion of informal resolution.
• Collaborate with Legal Department on investigations involving the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Attorney General’s Offices, and New York State Human Rights Commission as well as complaints raised by other applicable outside agencies, organizations, and constituencies.
• Communicate investigative factual determinations and analysis to complainants, subjects, departments, and others with a business reason to know.
• Input complaint data into Master Complaint tracking database
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, city and local laws and regulations governing nondiscrimination of employees, applicants, and customers and mitigation of disproportionate impact/burden to communities.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including: the ability to both be impartial and project impartiality, and the ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of community members.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze information, evaluate results, and facilitate resolution of difficult challenges.
• Ability to manage issues of complex and extreme sensitivity with a high level of professionalism.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and plan one’s work to meet critical deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare complex written reports and provide reliable testimony explaining the investigation’s process, findings, conclusions, and rationales.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

REQUIRED:

• BA/BS from an accredited college or university is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• A Master's degree may substitute for two years of experience. A Juris Doctorate may substitute for three years of experience.
• A minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience conducting thorough investigations pertaining to allegations of discrimination is required. An additional 5 years of experience exclusively investigating civil rights related complaints may be substituted in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree.

PREFERRED:

• A Juris Doctorate degree is preferred.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities .

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.