Job Description

Division: Administration

Closing Date: Until Filled

Location: 4305 E. 21st Ave., Tampa, FL 33605

Salary Range: $87,501 - $102,625

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, the Business Ethics and Compliance Officer develops, administers, implements, monitors, and evaluates the Agency's programs and initiatives in areas relating to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Title VI, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities (ADA) (access and employment), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and other federal EEO laws as applicable to HART. Oversees the agency's diversity compliance endeavors as they apply to employees and users of HART services. Serves as a liaison between HART and government agencies, minority organizations, minority trade associations and business development groups concerned with minority and disadvantaged business development and organizational diversity. Advises Chief Executive Officer on equity and makes recommendations on creating, implementing, and monitoring HART's programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Serves as the Agency's Ethics Officer; aligns HART policies and practices with the stated ethics and beliefs of the Agency. Also maintains, monitors and oversees the Agency's Web-based Ethics Point Reporting System.
Develops, administers, and implements comprehensive civil rights programs (i.e., DBE, Title VI, Title VII, ADA and EEO) to ensure compliance with federal/state/local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Provides monitoring and oversight with recommendations for implementing any changes to these programs when necessary.
Develops, implements and monitors a strategic, comprehensive diversity plan that identifies core initiatives in line with the agency's mission and value statements. Establishes a system for periodically reviewing and updating the plan.
Develops policies and procedures for the purpose of providing direction to the CEO in meeting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and objectives.
Develops standards and methods to process concerns, complaints and charges of discrimination filed internally or with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), or applicable local agencies, including participation in the process to prepare responses to the applicable agency(ies) and case files for litigation and working with in-house and outside legal counsel on such matters, and similar activities for any other governmental investigations or inquiries such as from the Department of Labor or any complaints for retaliation.
Monitors and makes periodic audits of the application of human resources actions, including but not limited to: hiring criteria, selection process, disciplinary actions, promotions, etc., to ensure consistency, conformity, and non-discrimination for EEO concurrence, and provides recommendations on policies, including any updates to meet legal compliance.
Manages, develops, and maintains federal and state mandated reports reflecting HART's workforce composition through the collection, compilation and analysis of data pertaining to workforce composition and demographics. Collects and analyzes employment data, identifying problem areas, setting goals and timetables, and developing programs to achieve goals.
Conducts and investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation from employees, applicants, and the public. May provide recommendations to Human Resources and management for diversity training or other policy training.
Writes investigative reports and conducts analyses and issues findings.
Assists and attends administrative grievance hearings. Gathers information; reports findings and conclusions; and mediates workplace conflicts, as needed.
Develops, updates, and maintains an EEO plan and tracking system of EEO compliance statistics, complaints and reports for submittal to government bodies, as required. Prepares quarterly updates of the utilization analysis, including relevant workforce and availability data to senior management.
Develops and implements training initiatives and programs on cultural understanding and competency, gender differences, disability, sexual, racial, religious, harassment, and other topics to increase awareness and support a climate of diversity, inclusion and equity, while maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Serves as an advisor to Human Resources, management and staff in the areas of diversity, inclusion, EEO, civil rights, and equity.
Keeps up to date of federal, state, and local government legislation and regulations related to EEO and Civil Rights compliance, as well as diversity goals and initiatives as applicable to HART.
Identifies potential issues, creates opportunities, and takes actions designed to eliminate institutional barriers to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity through analysis, creative problem solving, influence and commitment.
Assist in developing and managing budgets for these programs.
Develops and applies standards to verify accuracy of data entry into compliance systems (e.g., use standard processes, procedures, quality control, workflow, checklists, and time frames).
Designs, implements, and monitors internal audit and reporting systems to measure program effectiveness, determine whether progress has been made, and where further action is needed.
Develops, coordinates, manages, and implements projects and special projects as assigned and directed by the Director of Human Resources.
Maintains active partnership with the Executive Leadership Team and/or key stakeholders on the Success Plan execution as it relates to compliance.
May supervise, train, coordinate and evaluate the work of assigned direct reports, if applicable.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

Manages, implements and establishes policy for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) to ensure disadvantaged businesses are aware of and participate in contracting activities. Provides information to DBE contractor associations, including bid specifications, contractual needs and future plans: attends pre-bid/pre-performance and pre-construction conferences to explain DBE program requirements. Monitors contractor and subcontractor compliance with DBE commitments throughout the performance period of contracts and projects.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or closely related field.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing and administering civil rights, disadvantaged business enterprise, and equal employment opportunity compliance programs; or an equivalent combination of related education, training and experience.
Public sector management, business administration, or public administration experience preferred.
Three (3) years' experience in a supervisory/management capacity.

Desired Qualifications:

Master's Degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in a directly related field.
Prior experience working in local, state or federal government, with an emphasis on transit.
Professional certification in Human Resources or closely related field.
Completion of training courses in EEO, Investigations, Title VI, DBE, ADA and/or DEI.
Knowledge of conflict resolution and mediation.

Licenses/Certifications:

Valid Florida Driver's License or be able to obtain one within in 10 days of hire or moving to the State of Florida.

Machines, Tools and Equipment Used:

Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems, as well as a computer for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of EEO/diversity programs and techniques for fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within a complex organization.
Thorough knowledge of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity laws including, but not limited to, 49 CFR Part 21, 26, 27 38-Title VI Circular 4702.1B, EEO circular 4704.1A and 49 U.S.C 5332(b).
Knowledge of principles of public sector employment processes, recruitment, and examination procedures, and employer-employee relations.
Knowledge of the principles of conducting thorough investigations of complaints involving alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and ADA/employment and access issues.
Ability to demonstrate cultural humility in interactions with diverse groups and to lead by example in encouraging cultural humility across the organization.
Ability to plan, organize, and administer effective diversity, inclusion and EEO programs.
Ability to investigate discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints and facilitate their resolution.
Ability to develop and conduct related training programs and engage participants in the subject matter.
Ability to exhibit a professional, courteous demeanor.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with those encountered in the course of work using principles of excellent customer service.
Ability to work in collaboration with management while implementing projects.
Ability to exhibit research, analytical, and data collection techniques.
Demonstrate knowledge of the rules, regulations, procedures and functions of the Agency.
Ability to work independently and to exercise professional and sound judgment, with minimal supervision.
Ability to determine own approach for completing work, given general guidelines.
Ability to organize work around broad organizational goals and processes, while overseen by a supervisor through regular meetings.
Ability to work in a dynamic environment that requires the incumbent to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and Agency needs.
Ability to work under stress and interruptions.
Ability to interpret, prepare and edit reports, policies and procedures.
Ability to perform professional-level work dealing with data, people, and technology that relates to administrative, technical, scientific, engineering, accounting, legal, or managerial skills.
Ability to read and interpret legal documents.
Ability to make decisions that govern the operational activities and behaviors of HART employees and impact how the unit provides services and support to internal and external customers.
Ability to interact positively with a variety of personalities both internally and externally.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to meet attendance and punctuality requirements.
Ability to be a flexible and effective team player.
Ability to follow established safety and security procedures.
Ability to understand, apply and explain rules, regulations, procedures and functions of the Agency.
Ability to understand and monitor compliance with Federal Laws, and State laws regulating elected officials, including but not limited to Sunshine laws, ethics and conflicts of interests.
Ability to use database and word processing software.
Ability to understand, apply, and explain HART strategic goals.
Ability to utilize and abide by standard office practices, procedures and equipment.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Work is performed in a standard office environment.
Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.
May be exposed to potentially intimidating and/or unreceptive members of the public.
May occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, extreme noise and physical harm.
HART provides the community with much needed public transportation and it is important for the Agency to resume its services as quickly and as safely as possible in the event of any natural, technological, or human-caused emergency or disaster. This position is considered a mission critical member of HART's emergency preparation and response efforts during an emergency or disaster and as such, may be asked to work during these emergencies or disasters.

HIPAA Workforce Members:

As a HIPAA Workforce Member, the incumbent in this position will be requested to sign a Privacy Policy Acknowledgement affirming their obligation to maintain confidentiality of all Plan participants' Personal Health Information (PHI).

Newly hired HIPAA Workforce Members will be trained within four weeks of joining HART.
In the event a newly hired HIPAA Workforce Member fails to complete this training within the applicable timeframe, they may be reassigned to a position that does not require access to PHI, or appropriate corrective action (up to and including termination) may be taken.

Upon separation of employment or access to PHI, whichever is earlier, each HIPAA Workforce Member will be requested to sign an Acknowledgement of Continued Obligation to Maintain Confidentiality of PHI.

Supplemental Information

It is the responsibility of all HART employees to provide a safe and secure environment for HART customers, contractors, visitors and fellow co-workers. HART employees are also responsible for:

Adhering to stated policies and procedures relating to health and safety, security, and quality management.
Recognizing and reporting all accidents and hazardous conditions.
Assisting in the development of workplace safety procedures for their respective departments.
Promoting workplace safety procedures within their department.
Adhering to procedures relating to the proper use and care of equipment and materials for which the role has responsibility.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may perform other duties as assigned.

The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

EEO Compliance : HART is committed to equal employment opportunity for all persons, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or other status protected by Federal or State law.

ADA Compliance : Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application process and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.