Civil Rights Investigator Senior - Austin Equity & Inclusion

About This Position

Austin Equity and Inclusion provides leadership, guidance, and insight on equity to improve the quality of life for Austinites. The Department strives to achieve the vision of making Austin the most livable city in the nation for all while building and sustaining a culture of equity across the city. This requires tackling tough issues such as employment and housing discrimination. Creating a culture of equity will ensure we are meeting the needs of all residents.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under limited supervision, this position is responsible for the resolution of all housing, employment, public accommodation, and discrimination complaints under the authority of the City of Austin Office of Civil Rights.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• •Interprets Federal, State, and local laws/ordinances concerning discrimination under the Office of Civil Rights’ authority.
• •Refers or assigns new complaints of discrimination or denial of rights to investigators in accordance with established procedures.
• •Analyzes data gathered during the investigation to determine the merits of the complaint.
• •Prepares recommendations for the approval of the Office of Civil Rights leadership concerning unsettled complaints.
• •Compiles and analyzes complaints and other available data regarding discrimination to identify potential trends or problem areas and provides recommendations to management for preventive and/or corrective action.
• •Provides models, technical information, intervention, and expertise to investigators when cases are novel and complex.
• •Prepares monthly reports and weekly closure for the Office of Civil Rights and EEOC for credit review and contract acceptance.
• •Serves as liaison with all Federal contracting agencies to ensure all federal contracts and technology changes or improvements are met and implemented.
• •Plans, develops, and conducts education and outreach to stakeholders and the community and represents the Office of Civil Rights at City Council meetings, boards, and commissions.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Provides leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• •Knowledge of areas supported.
• •Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
• •Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• •Skill in oral and written communication.
• •Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• •Skill in using computers and related software.
• •Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• •Skill in planning and organizing.
• •Ability to interview under a variety of conditions.
• •Ability to handle hostile conflicts and uncertain situations.
• •Ability to use investigative and research techniques related to human rights issues.
• •Ability to research established case law and applicable precedents.
• •Ability to perform thorough and accurate data collection and analysis.
• •Ability to negotiate settlements.
• •Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• •Ability to train and lead others.
• •Ability to develop and maintain current knowledge of Civil Rights programs.
• •Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• •Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Government, Communications, Sociology, Business or Public Administration, plus two (2) years of experience in the investigation of discrimination complaints.
• •Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.
• •Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university or graduation with a Juris Doctor may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None

Preferred Qualifications:

• •Experience planning, organizing, and conducting investigations, with the ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations.
• •Experience working with members of local, state, and federal agencies; conducting interviews and gathering facts, evaluating findings, and preparing reports.
• •Experience in preparation of data and materials for hearings and court proceedings, and the ability to communicate effectively.
• •Experience providing leadership and guidance of others and their work.
• •Experience maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.





Compensation Range:

The annual hiring range for this position is $68,780.00-$85,980.00



Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:

Austin Equity and Inclusion’s Civil Rights Division is hiring a Civil Rights Investigator Senior. This position is responsible for providing leadership, guidance and expertise to the Investigators in the areas of conducting investigations and interpreting and applying laws and regulations. This position will complete advanced investigative work in the areas of housing, employment and all city laws/ordinances. The ideal candidate has experience building relationships and working with local state and Federal agencies and will ensure Federal contracts and technology changes or improvements are met and implemented. Experience testifying in hearings and court proceedings, as well as a proven history of effectively developing and delivering education to various stakeholders, up to and including City Council, boards and commissions will be essential.

Austin Equity and Inclusion’s Civil Rights Division champions fairness, respect and a shared commitment to justice by:

• •Upholding anti-discrimination laws across critical areas like employment, housing, fair chance hiring, public accommodations, and tenants’ rights to organize.
• •Collaborating through community engagement to build lasting partnerships that drive meaningful change.
• •Educating the public to foster awareness, understanding, and action against discrimination.

Austin Equity and Inclusion works strategically to promote visibility, transparency, accountability, and responsibility, with the primary goal of ensuring fair treatment for all individuals in the areas of Employment, Housing, Fair Chance, Title VI, Title II, Veteran Services and Public Accommodations.

Location : One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78704

Hours : Monday – Friday, 8AM - 5PM

New hires are to work in the office for their first six (6) months of employment. Employees who are promoted, transferred, or move laterally into the position are required to work in the office for their first three (3) months.

To view the City of Austin Recruitment Video, please click here!

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.

• •Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• •A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates.
• •A résumé is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• •A cover letter is al