Human Rights Specialist II

Gathers all available evidence necessary to render a recommended determination as to findings of an investigation into an alleged violation of the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance, any Fairfax County Personnel Regulations, and/or ADA Compliance.

Duties include:

• Writes recommended investigative findings incorporating the applicable civil rights legal precedents for the director's signature.
• Interprets and applies civil rights legal precedents during the negotiation conferences so that parties know their rights and responsibilities pursuant to the ordinance and applicable federal law.
• Prepares letters of notification and requests for information so that complaints are promptly served on parties.
• Conducts telephone and in-person interviews, reviews documents, and performs onsite investigations in an effort to determine whether a violation of the Human Rights Ordinance has occurred.
• Analyzes the allegation and merits of complaints and determines the applicable legal remedies.
• Mediates and conciliates voluntary settlement agreements as resolutions to filed complaints.
• Writes settlement agreements for the director's and the commission's approval.
• Conducts telephone and face-to-face intake interviews as needed.
• Evaluates the nature of the alleged claims, refers the individual to the appropriate County, State, Federal or private organizations to assist with the individual's problems.
• Counsels the individual about his/her rights pursuant to the ordinance.
• Explains the Office of Human Rights and Equity Program's complaint procedures.
• Drafts the complaint for the complainant's signature.
• Interprets county regulations and federal laws to provide counsel and assistance to managers, county staff and the public on EEO matters.
• Develops investigative plans.
• Presides over fact-finding conferences.
• Participates in formal conciliation conferences and testifies at Human Rights Commission hearings and in court proceedings.
  
  Note: This job announcement may be used to fill multiple current and future full-time Human Rights Specialist II vacancies.
  

• Conducts initial interviews over the phone or face-to-face with claimants to determine the nature and merit of alleged claims;
• Counsels complainants, respondents and others on their rights pursuant to the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance and explains the investigative process;
• Develops investigation plans;
• Requests information pertinent to claims;
• Conducts field interviews;
• Presides over fact-finding conferences;
• Prepares report of investigation findings, citing violations of applicable laws and ordinances based on an analysis of investigation findings, applicable statutes, legal precedents and relevant case law;
• Conducts negotiations between parties to attempt to achieve a settlement prior to a formal cause/no cause proceeding;
• Participates in formal conciliation conferences and testifies at Human Rights Commission hearings and in court proceedings.

• Considerable knowledge of applicable federal civil rights laws and the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance;
• Ability to perform legal research, interpret laws, regulations, legal precedents and court cases;
• Ability to prepare comprehensive, legally accurate reports;
• Ability to handle complex negotiations with tact, resourcefulness and good judgement;
• Ability to provide guidance and mentoring support to lower level Human Rights Specialists;
• Ability to interact with individuals from various racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Experience conducting complex civil rights investigations, utilizing investigative and analytic skills.
• Experience working with public and private civic groups.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability and experience interpreting federal, state or local regulations.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting documentary evidence and witness testimony.
• Experience and knowledge of applicable case laws as they relate to human rights.
• Experience and knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written in English.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.