Deputy EEO Officer

Job description

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion’s (EDI) mission is to ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are given an equal opportunity to succeed in the workplace. EDI works to provide a work environment that accepts and respects individual differences and is free of unlawful discrimination. EDI is responsible for ensuring that the Department of Transportation (DOT) does not discriminate against any employees or applicants for employment in any manner prohibited by federal, state and local law. EDI also works toward ensuring that DOT maintains an environment free of unlawful harassment as also prohibited by federal, state and local law. In addition to its commitment to providing equal opportunity, EDI is also committed to valuing diversity. EDI works toward ensuring that DOT maintains work environments that are inclusive of both DOT employees and the diverse clients they serve. EDI, in a continuing effort to maintain and operate a culturally competent organization, works alongside DOT’s internal partners, and liaises with New York City’s Office of Citywide Equity and Inclusion, to create and carry out diversity and inclusion initiatives, which includes strategies for recruitment, retention, training, and employee engagement. DOT seeks a highly adaptable and results driven leader to fill the position of Deputy EEO Officer of EDI. This position reports to the Assistant Commissioner of EDI and requires expertise in the field of labor and employment law, the ability to exercise substantial discretion and judgement, and the confidence to make impactful, time-sensitive decisions in a fast-paced, and high-pressure environment. The successful candidate, under the limited supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of EDI, will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency’s mission-critical compliance functions: internal EEO investigations, advising and counseling senior leadership and managers, delivering training, and processing employee requests for workplace accommodation. The Deputy EEO Officer will directly oversee internal investigations conducted by EEO Investigators to ensure that they are completed in a timely manner while adhering to the City EEO Policy and workplace investigation best practices at each critical step including: receiving and triaging employee complaints, formulating investigation plans, tracking witness interviews and evidence collection, building and documenting factual records, and applying the appropriate legal standards to come to legally sound conclusions. The ability to write clearly and concisely and edit attorney work product is an essential requirement of this position. In addition to overseeing each case, the Deputy EEO Officer will review large scale data related to agency workflow to ensure effective fulfilment of agency functions. The Deputy EEO Officer will also oversee the reasonable accommodation process, including engaging in the interactive process and issuing decisions to employee requests. The Deputy EEO Officer will have significant employee facing contact, and provide advice and counsel to executive staff, supervisors, and managers, to ensure that workplace issues are handled effectively and appropriately. The Deputy EEO Officer will also assist the Assistant Commissioner of EDI in fulfilling EDI’s missions related to both EEO and diversity and inclusion and achieving DOT’s goals related to DOT Workplace, Workforce and Community Engagement as outlined in DOT’s annual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and EEO Plan, which includes, but is not limited to: Assisting in the coordination and implementation of new and/or existing EEO and diversity and inclusion related programs and initiatives, including but not limited to DOT’s EEO Liaison Program, DOT’s Employee Resource Groups and DOT diversity related events. Fielding inquiries made to EDI, including conducting inquiry interviews with potential complainants, respondents or witnesses, drafting inquiry close-out memorandums memorializing the inquiry disposition, and converting an inquiry into investigation where appropriate. Assisting in the development and delivery of all classroom and computer-based EEO and Diversity & Inclusion trainings, including conducting introductory EEO training for new employees, conducting training pursuant to recommendations made by the Commissioner, providing training in furtherance of DOT’s EDI-related training goals and programmatic support for specific diversity, inclusion and EEO initiatives, and ensuring training materials are routinely updated to reflect any changes in the law. Utilizing DOT and DCAS databases and spreadsheets to independently maintain, monitor and track EEO cases, reasonable accommodations, and inquiries. Gathering accurate data for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports and audits submitted to and required by internal and external partners, including DCAS and the Equal Employment Practices Commission. Serving on and/or participating in DOT’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and other diversity and inclusion driven work groups, councils, or committees. Serving on interview panels for job vacancies within EDI. Attending meetings in place of the Assistant Commissioner when needed. Conducting other duties as are necessary to comply with EEO regulations, and other internal and external policies. Supporting all the work of EDI, including that related to its Diversity & Inclusion goals. AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087 1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below. 2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or 3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086). Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment. In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements: To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.