JOB TITLE: HUMAN RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE 2

JOB CODE: 49820

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Human Relations Representative job series describes investigatory and public contact work in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

DEFINITION: This is advanced technical work in enforcing the provisions of the Human Relations Act and in the conciliation of related problems within a community.

An employee in this job is responsible for investigating allegations of discrimination against individuals or minority groups in employment, housing, public accommodations, and educational opportunities; implementing programs designed to promote ethnic integration in all parts of the community; and educating the general public against prejudice. Employees conduct extensive investigations into all facets of complaints, determine probable causes, negotiate terms of conciliation in conjunction with commission attorneys, present the terms of conciliation to the respondent for agreement, and compile a complete case history report including recommendations for conciliation and case closing. Employees may meet with school and college administrators, private industry heads, community leaders, other human relations commissions and councils, and ethnic group leaders to conduct studies and surveys, and discuss and promote various human relations programs to identify solutions to ease racial tension. Work may include implementing, presenting, or participating in educational or community service programs designed to promote understanding and acceptance between the races; and conducting studies and surveys aimed at compiling data pertaining to patterns of integration in areas such as housing or employment. Supervision is received from a higher-level Human Relations Representative who provides instruction on the proper approach to a problem and reviews work, through reports and conferences, for conformance to agency policies and procedures, and for an evaluation of results attained.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is distinguished from the Human Relations Representative 1 job by the assignment of cases involving four or more alleged acts of harm or protected classes.

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.)

• Investigates difficult and complex complaints of alleged discrimination against individuals or minority groups in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations.

• Attempts to reconcile differences between complainants and respondents by negotiating and arranging appropriate adjustments; refers cases to the Human Relations Commission when conciliatory measures are not successful.

• Participates in studies and surveys of human relations practices in industry, housing, public accommodations, and educational institutions.

• Gathers statistical information on socio-economic patterns of communities.

• Compiles data pertaining to patterns of integration in areas such as housing or employment.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of investigatory principles, practices, and techniques.

• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and community resources used to assist in meeting problems related to minority integration.

• Knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques.

• Knowledge of civil rights laws.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of human resource administration.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

• Knowledge of social casework principles and methods.

• Knowledge of social and economic conditions that influence human behavior.

• Knowledge of social dynamics and problems related to discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and related activities.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of social research, analysis, and statistical reporting.

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

• Ability to recruit and organize groups to provide community services in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These are not used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of the functions, objectives, policies, and procedures of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

• Ability to analyze complex issues and program questions and make recommendations for their solution.

• Ability to exercise a high degree of tact and diplomacy.

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

• One year as a Human Relations Representative 1 (commonwealth title);

or

• Two years of professional administrative investigative, criminal investigative, regulatory investigative, or civil or human rights experience involving gathering evidence, interviewing, and reporting investigative findings; and a bachelor’s degree that includes 12 credits in human resources, labor management relations, civil rights, social work, social justice, public policy, public administration, or a related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of training and experience, that includes 12 college credits in human resources, labor management relations, civil rights, social work, social justice, public policy, public administration, or a related field.