Program Specialist VI

Program Specialist VI

Civil Rights Employment Investigator/Specialist (Program Specialist VI) is selected by and responsible to the Civil Rights Manager and/or Deputy Director, or designee.

Performs in a highly advanced and specialized consultative capacity in planning, developing, and administering employment charges of discrimination and administrative complaints throughout the state in compliance with HHS policy and applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Texas Commission of Human Rights Act, etc. Monitors, reviews and provides technical assistance relating to discrimination and civil rights matters, serving as a liaison between civil rights manager/staff.

Coordinates, consults, oversees, and mentors civils rights staff in employment related issues and initiatives; identifies need for new and/or revised programs, policies, and procedures, and makes recommendation for improvement. Completes management reports and recommends appropriate changes; establishes goals and objectives; takes leadership role in special projects and assignments; serves as a mediator and helps prepare resolution agreements. In concert with the Manager and Deputy Director, develops schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving quality in employment discrimination charges and responses.

Provides leadership and direction to Civil Rights Office staff on employment charges of discrimination, administrative complaints, and inquiries. Works under general supervision, exercising considerable independence. The work includes, providing advice and counsel to employees regarding civil rights issues.

Provides technical support to managers and/or supervisors regarding civil rights issues.

Provides managers and supervisors with information about civil rights laws and legislation and methodologies that assist in promoting a nondiscriminatory environment.

Primarily investigates, coordinates the gathering of information and prepares position statements to answer charges of discrimination filed with external employment compliance agencies, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division (TWCCRD). Works under limited direction with extensive latitude for judgement and initiatives. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

EJF #1: Provides highly advanced research, analysis, and evaluation on complex program and policy issues and initiatives related to civil rights employment cases. Collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares material in response to employment issues. Oversees and reviews work prepared by staff to determine compliance with civil rights policy and legislation. Develops and interprets civil rights policies and procedures. Identifies need for new policies and procedures and recommends improvements to existing policies and procedures relating to the area of employment. Provides leadership and direction to Civil Rights Office staff on employment charge discrimination complaints, administrative complaints and inquiries. (35%)

EJF #2: Completes management reports, monitors required performance reports, and recommends appropriate changes. Determines civil rights employment trends and makes recommendations to resolve operations issues.

Prepares and approves written project updates, executive summaries, administrative reports, policies, procedures, correspondence and other documents for Managers or Directors. Represents CRO at internal and external meetings and/or in leading projects. (20%)

EJF #3: Develops, implements, and manages projects related to program initiatives for civil rights to ensure effective techniques are being implemented in the employment area for civil rights. Provides leadership, consultation, direction, guidance, and quality review to civil rights staff on assignments and/or projects related to program initiatives and activities. Serves as a liaison between civil rights managers/staff.

Collaborates with agency and division staff, HHS system staff, contractors, contract administrators, clients, community groups, and other stakeholders. (15%)

EJF # 4: Develops and conducts civil rights training for CRO and agency staff. Provides programmatic direction for developing, implementing, and monitoring civil rights policies and procedures. Establishes goals, objectives, priorities, and standards for projects and initiatives. Oversees workgroups and meetings related to program oversight, research, analysis, and evaluation functions. (15%)

EJF #5: Conducts or oversees investigations into complex or specialized complaints and charge responses, provides recommendations to resolve issues or violations of policy. Serves as a mediator and prepares resolution agreements. (10%)

EJF #6: Monitors and analyzes federal and state legislation, regulations, court decisions, and initiatives relating to employment civil rights and HHS policies and programs and recommends appropriate response. (5%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of state and federal civil rights laws and regulations related to employment and service delivery.

Knowledge of HHS policies and programs, state and federal laws and regulations relating to HHS programs, and State of Texas legislative processes and initiatives.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Knowledge of program planning and implementation.

Skill in evaluating complex programs, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Skill in performing research.

Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex program and policy issues.

Skill in investigating complaints and investigative tools and methods, including researching, gathering, organizing, and analyzing information to reach a determination and finding.

Skill in the use of personal computers and software.

Skill in interpersonal relationships including the ability to work with people under pressure and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of stakeholders within and outside of the HHS Enterprise.

Skill in problem solving, mediation, and conflict resolution.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts to devise solutions to complex problems, and to prepare concise reports.

Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures, and to devise solutions to administrative problems.

Ability to manage multiple and competing projects and program activities, and to plan, assign, and coordinate the work of others.

Ability to establish goals and objectives, and to develop schedules, priorities, standards, and evaluation activities.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

NA Initial Selection Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Civil rights experience in a program specialist or manager role may substitute on a year for year basis for the education requirement.

One year of experience in investigating civil rights complaints.

Experience with reasonable accommodation requests.

Experience in mediation and conflict resolution.

Experience in conducting training.

Experience working with federal and state laws relating to employment and service. Including equal opportunity agencies and civil rights laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Experience in a writing field (English teacher, journalism, etc.) preferred.

Experience in Human Resources Employee Relations preferred.

Paralegal certification or paralegal experience is preferred.

Additional Information:

MOS Code:

NA

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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