IN-CRC-Civil Rights Specialist

Civil Rights Specialist

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission enforces the Indiana civil rights laws and provides education and services to the public in an effort to ensure equal opportunity for all Hoosiers and visitors to the state. The Indiana Civil Rights Commission will be an important societal influence working to eliminate illegal discrimination in Indiana.

As a Civil Rights Specialist, you will review each case assigned, applying standardized regulations and procedures. Any deviation from these guidelines is referred to the supervisor for a decision. You will receive instructions that are general in nature and anticipated, unusual problems will be discussed. You may, in the absence of the supervisor, make timely judgments as needed. Your work will be reviewed for technical accuracy and adherence to instructions.

The essential responsibilities of the job are:

• Draft consent agreements, prepare a written summary of the investigation, and make recommendations as to whether there is probable cause.
• May occasionally testify at evidentiary and appeal hearings.
• Conduct and analyze interviews of complainants, respondents, and witnesses.
• Prepare concise written record of violations (or non-violations) in a case analysis that includes relevant facts, interviews, observations, and conclusions gathered.
• Conduct mandatory conciliation attempt after finding the probable cause and try to resolve via mediation.
• Conduct conciliation conferences and draft consent agreements.
• Monitor compliance of all consent agreements via onsite assessment and/or reviewing compliance reports.
• Negotiate settlements of all civil rights disputes with the public interest in mind.
• Maintain monthly statistics on all mediation, conciliation, and compliance activities.
• Maintain and update appropriate case file records.
• Establish effective working relationships with coworkers, clients and/or the public by serving as a resource to educate and train others regarding Civil Rights Laws and the work of ICRC.
• Participate in ICRC affiliated public outreach/education events per year.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirement to be considered for employment:

• Four years (4) full time professional experience in affirmative action; business administration; civil rights; labor relations; law; public administration; public relations; social services; workforce development; or related experience.
• Substitution: Accredited college training in any one of or a combination of the following subject areas may substitute for the required experience on a year for year basis; Law, Sociology, Psychology, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Human Resources and Business Administration.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply the Indiana Civil Rights Law, Commission rules and regulations, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD and EEOC rules and regulations), and court decisions falling within the area of Civil Rights.
• Specialized knowledge of the principles, practices, and the past and current trends of Civil Rights Field on a state and national level.
• Ability to secure and analyze data and testimony relevant to all areas covered by the Indiana Civil Rights law including employment, housing, credit, public accommodation, and education.
• Ability to conduct difficult and involved investigations and make recommendations to the director regarding disposition.
• Ability to facilitate negotiations in good faith with difficult individuals in order to reach an agreement in the best interest of the involved parties and public good.
• Ability to understand legal concepts and to relate prior decisions to specific cases.
• Ability to counsel persons who make an inquiry at the Commission office regarding civil rights complaints and to assist them in filing a complaint.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs. The primary responsibility of this role is to conduct thorough analysis of civil rights complaints, extracting and evaluating key information to make informed recommendations regarding probable cause. The role requires a discerning approach, being able to recognize which cases are suitable for mediation, and managing a substantial caseload efficiently within a fast-paced work environment.

Success in this position depends on a strong understanding of civil rights laws at both state and federal levels, as well as relevant court decisions in the field of civil rights.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct an in-depth analysis of civil rights complaints to identify critical information, spot legal issues, and use the information to make determinations as to cause.
• Evaluate cases to determine suitability for mediation.
• Apply knowledge of state and federal civil rights laws and court rulings to inform case assessments.
• Operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.

Desired Skills:

• Background in law and/or legal course of study
• Strong analytical and writing ability to assess complex information and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and neutrality throughout case evaluations and interactions with parties and the public.
• Exceptional organizational skills to manage a heavy caseload and prioritize tasks effectively.

Position-Specific Details: The ideal candidate will operate within a defined framework but must be a self-starter who takes initiative, remains focused, and adapts quickly to meet the evolving operational needs of the organization. Agility and the ability to stay on task independently are critical to success in this role.