Senior Equal Opportunity Investigator

Senior Equal Opportunity Investigator

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation's largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Under the direction of the Deputy Equal Opportunity Officer, the Senior Equal Opportunity (EO) Investigator partners with Agency management to develop, coordinate, implement, enforce, and monitor policies and procedures to ensure proactive measures to prevent (or eliminate) discrimination as required by Federal, State, and local statutes. This position serves as a senior-level investigator and Equal Opportunity subject matter expert (EEO and Title VI) for the Agency's HR, Planning, Government and Community Relations, and Operations business partners, leaders, and employees. The Senior Equal Opportunity Investigator conducts highly complex, sensitive, and multi-faceted investigations of allegations of discrimination made by employees, applicants, customers, and community members, and counsels employees, supervisors, and managers regarding alleged acts of discrimination while managing and monitoring the activities of other MTA EO investigators.

Fundamental duties of the Senior Equal Opportunity Investigator include, but are not limited to:

• Receives, investigates, and makes recommendations to EEO management on formal and informal complaints from applicants, employees, customers, community members, and organizations about Title VI, Title VII, ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, Environmental Justice, and Limited English Proficiency directives.
• Provide oversight and guidance to complaint and conflict resolution work by EO Investigators that includes assisting with complex issues, facilitating difficult conversations, designing and implementing interventions, providing strategies for formal conflict resolution, as well as conducting formal investigations and issuing written findings and determinations.
• Manage the record-keeping function for investigations, including electronic and written materials, and ensure the accuracy of the data.
• Ensures that all inquiry and investigation activities are completed in conformity with Equal Opportunity Guidance, Equal Opportunity best practices, effective investigative procedures, and established MTA policies and processes.
• Teams with supervisors, managers, executives, and other groups in the resolution of complaints of discrimination and discriminatory harassment and related EO concerns. Serves as the coordinator and primary contact for the Agency's formal EO investigations and the life cycle of investigatory inquiries.
• Manage the process for presenting investigatory results to Agency leaders on a need-to-know basis by ensuring that investigative reports are thorough, answer all investigative questions, and reach appropriate conclusions based on the results of the investigation.
• Other duties assigned by senior management.

Specific programmatic responsibilities of the Senior Equal Opportunity Investigator:

• Primarily responsible for providing counsel, advice, and assistance to employees, applicants, customers, and community members/organizations concerning allegations of discrimination, harassment, and disparate impact.
• Remain current and knowledgeable of nondiscrimination laws, rules and regulations to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the various type of evidence required to prove that a violation has occurred; detect discrepancies in information and/or distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information/evidence to support or discredit the allegations of discriminatory practices; make evaluative judgement based on the application of statutory or regulatory provisions and administrative procedures when deciding as to whether there is reasonable cause to support a finding that a violation of MTA's policy on nondiscrimination has occurred, and make objective recommendations regarding resolutions and appropriate remedies.
• Document efforts and conclusions of informal resolutions.
• Responsible for the project management of Agency complaints to ensure timely response, resolution, and closure.
• Conduct confidential and sensitive investigations of equal opportunity complaints in a thorough and timely manner.
• Conduct thorough analysis of evidence gathered in accordance with applicable equal opportunity laws, regulations, and established internal policies and procedures.
• Follow up promptly on all new complaints.
• Secure relevant documentation to prove or disprove allegations in the complaint.
• Maintain accuracy and thorough records and notes on the investigatory process, including, but not limited to, case files containing investigative summaries of procedures followed, interview reports, evidence and policy documentation, witness lists, remedial actions taken, and policy changes.
• Conduct pre-determination settlement discussions and negotiations, as necessary.
• Coordinate with appropriate departments (i.e., Legal, HR, Labor Relations, Operations, Inspector General, etc.) as needed to complete the investigative process and assure proper follow-up.
• Review complaint data to identify issues and potential environmental toxicity. Partner with other offices, as needed, to design and facilitate targeted educational training on broader topics of equity, inclusion, and diversity identified through complaint trending data.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, city, and local laws and regulations governing nondiscrimination of employees, applicants, and customers, and mitigation of disproportionate impact/burden to communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations (including Title VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended in 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and related non-discrimination statutes, state and local laws, Executive Orders and guidelines) about equal opportunity, access and inclusion to employment, services, benefits and activities of the MTA.
• Strong investigative skills.
• Ability to assess and negotiate highly complex, confidential, and sensitive matters of discrimination, harassment, and disproportionate impact, while maintaining objectivity and neutrality.
• Ability to recognize patterns or practices that are inherently discriminatory or those that serve as a pretext for discrimination.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high volume and time-sensitive workload and to meet demanding deadlines.
• Initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness, and judgment are required to collect, assemble, and develop facts and other pertinent data.
• Ability to think logically and objectively, to analyze and evaluate facts, evidence, and related information, and arrive at sound conclusions.
• Skill in written and oral reports and presentation of investigative findings clearly and concisely.
• Strong organizational, planning, and interviewing skills and ability to work independently.
• Tact, discretion, and capacity for obtaining the cooperation and confidence of others.
• Advanced facilitation, mediation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Required Education and Experience:

• BA/BS from an accredited college or university is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience from an accredited college may be considered in lieu of a degree. A Juris Doctorate degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years' experience conducting investigations pertaining to civil rights, discrimination, and/or workforce harassment complaints; and a comprehensive understanding of Equal Opportunity-related laws, statutes, guidelines, and regulations is required.

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.