HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR III

State of Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 Paid Personal Business Days annually

12 Paid Sick Days annually

12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave

5% Salary Differential for Bilingual

Job summary

The State of Illinois invites applications for the Human Rights Investigator III in the Department of Human Rights, based in Chicago. This salaried role handles advanced investigations within housing, real estate, and related areas, carrying a varied caseload and working with diverse stakeholders.

The position requires a four-year college degree and professional investigative experience; it offers strong benefits and a structured advancement path, with hybrid in-office scheduling where needed.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of college, preferably with coursework in business, public, or personnel administration, or social sciences.
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience as a Human Rights Investigator II or three (3) years of investigative experience related to complaints of discrimination.

Responsibilities

• Investigates charges of discrimination, gathering information and documents from involved parties.
• Analyzes evidentiary findings and drafts detailed reports with recommendations.
• Assists lower level investigators with complex investigations or unusual problems.
• Conducts pre-systemic charge conferences to define issues and scope of charges.
• Negotiates settlements between parties to a charge.

Skills

Bilingual skills

Education

Four-year college degree

Job description

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID:59815Opening Date: 10/26/2026Closing Date: 11/10/2026Agency: Department of Human RightsClass Title:HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR III - 19776Skill Option:NoneBilingual Option:NoneSalary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $6,460 a month: Full Range: $6,460-$9,337 a monthJob Type: SalariedCategory:Full TimeNumber of Vacancies: 5Bargaining Unit Code:RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCMEMerit Comp Code:Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5:30pm
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 3 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661Work County: CookAgency Contact: akia.harper @ illinois.gov

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

Under general direction of a Public Service Administrator in the Investigations Unit of the Fair Housing Division, performs duties of an advanced specialist in investigations, developing or revising techniques or methods of investigation in the housing and/or non-employment jurisdictions (i.e. real estate transactions, sexual harassment in higher education, access to financial credit and the availability of public accommodations); carries a caseload of routine and complex cases.

Benefits Statement

• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• GI BillTraining/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Investigates charges of discrimination, seeking information, documents and statistical data by mail and phone.
• Analyzes evidentiary findings, drafts and submits recommendations to supervisor in the form of detailed reports, consisting of factual documentation, witness statements, and recommendations based on analysis of findings relevant to charges.
• Assists lower level investigators with complex investigations or the resolution of unusual problems.
• Conducts pre-systemic charge conferences with various groups or individuals to define issues relating to possible charges of discrimination.
• Negotiates settlements between the parties to a charge.
• Performs other duties as assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of college, preferably with coursework in business, public, or personnel administration, or social sciences.
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience as a Human Rights Investigator II or three (3) years of investigative experience related to complaints of discrimination (such as work performed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or another state’s human rights/civil rights agency).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least three (3) years’ investigations experience collecting and analyzing testimony and/or records and applying rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures to make a written recommendation.
• Prefers at least three (3) years’ experience managing an investigations caseload with varying deadlines.
• Prefers at least three (3) years’ experience writing lengthy investigative reports.
• Prefers at least three (3) years’ experience communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse groups of people, including members of the general public, management, colleagues, and/or legal or government representatives.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Department of Human Rights

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) is a state agency charged with the enforcement of the Illinois Human Rights Act ("Act"). The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, real estate transactions, financial credit, and public accommodations (including education). IDHR protects and guarantees the rights of all Illinoisans to be free from unlawful discrimination by receiving and investigating claims of unlawful discrimination. Moreover, the Act prohibits retaliation against a person who has opposed that which is reasonably and in good faith believed to be unlawful discrimination; prohibits the aiding, abetting, compelling or coercion of a person to commit a violation of the Act; and prohibits the willful interference with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Department or one of its officers or employees. At the forefront of protecting civil rights, IDHR welcomes all candidates for employment to apply for any position for which they are qualified. Join IDHR in its mission to secure an Illinois free from discrimination.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).