JOB TITLE: EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 3

JOB CODE: 05223

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Equal Opportunity job series describes work in the administration and monitoring of equal opportunity programs.

DEFINITION: This is supervisory or advanced professional equal opportunity (EO) and/or contract compliance work.

An employee in this job supervises professional EO and/or contract compliance work; administers and is responsible for a substantial agency EO and/or contract compliance program; or performs advanced professional EO work in the Office of Administration. Work may involve counseling individuals on the provisions of EO laws, policies, and procedures; researching and issuing determinations on complex requests for disability and pregnancy-related accommodations; developing and providing training; and developing and implementing EO and/or contract compliance policies and procedures. Supervision may be exercised over professional, paraprofessional, and clerical staff. Work is performed independently and is reviewed through conferences and reports.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• At the enterprise level, independently plans and conducts complex investigations of discrimination complaints, adapts investigative plans as investigations progress due to the discovery of unforeseen issues, develops case files documenting investigations and findings for submission to the responsible agency official, and attends formal meetings with the responsible agency official and/or agency legal counsel to discuss the investigation, including making judgments on whether claims would be substantiated. Complex cases generally involve multiple protected classes, multiple acts of harm, and jurisdictional issues.

• At the enterprise level, independently evaluates, researches, and approves complex disability and pregnancy-related accommodation requests. Complex requests generally involve severe or multiple medical conditions, complicated issues requiring original and creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions, new areas of coverage, and legal liability associated with the determinations.

• At the agency level, work involves being fully dedicated to and having total agency responsibility for administering an agency’s Equal Opportunity and/or Contract Compliance program.

• Work may involve supervising positions at the Equal Opportunity Specialist 2 level or equivalent.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Supervises staff responsible for investigating discrimination complaints; monitoring compliance for programs and/or projects receiving federal funding; researching and issuing determinations on requests for disability and pregnancy-related accommodations; counseling individuals on the provisions of EO laws, policies, and procedures; and/or developing and providing training.

• Serves as the agency Equal Opportunity Officer, Language Access Coordinator, or Contract Compliance Officer and advises leadership on related issues.

• Administers an agency’s EO program, including Civil Rights Compliance for Licensing, Limited English Proficiency, Complaints, and Civil Rights Compliance Review.

• Develops or directs the development of an agency’s annual EO plan.

• Provides technical assistance and consultation to agency staff on highly complex EO issues.

• Develops investigative plans and conducts complex investigations of internal discrimination complaints, including developing appropriate investigative and case files.

• Reviews and issues determinations on complex disability and pregnancy-related accommodation requests.

• Develops and provides training on EO-related laws, policies, case law, and other discrimination related issues.

• Implements a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to ensure compliance with all state and federal EO and contract compliance rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Prepares detailed reports on EO, contractor, and federal program compliance.

• Ensures the enforcement of corrective action plans as the result of compliance reviews.

• Directs the development of and participates in the conduct of training programs and workshops.

• Develops and manages agency efforts to increase minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprise participation.

• Directs the implementation of program policies, procedures, goals, and objectives to eliminate discriminatory practices in employment or the receipt of benefits and services.

• Develops strategies to promote EO in recruitment and selection processes.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of equal opportunity program administration.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret numerical information.

• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify and resolve problems.

• Ability to analyze and interpret regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year as an Equal Opportunity Specialist 2 (Commonwealth title);

or

• Three years of analytical experience in an equal opportunity program that includes two years of professional experience, and a bachelor’s degree;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.