Principal Equal Employment Opportunity Program Investigator

Position Summary
Performs highly complex analytical investigative work in support of Metro’s Civil Rights Programs, including Title VI, Title VII, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and other federal and state civil rights laws; may oversee, assign, review and participate in the work of department staff responsible for conducting EEO assessments and investigations.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Conducts highly complex investigations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints, analyzes information gathered and drafts reports highlighting findings of fact
• Guides junior Investigators and other team members on EEO matters, investigations, and trainings
• Communicates with various levels of management and external parties
• Provides recommendations for corrective action, including employee discipline and training
• Receives and reviews incoming complaints to determine the appropriate response whether an informal resolution or formal investigation
• Maintains case files and documents in case database system
• Recommends new policies and procedures to meet unforeseen or unmet agency-wide needs
• Consults with County Counsel
• Participates in mediation, negotiation, and conciliation to resolve complaints
• Develops and conducts legally mandated trainings
• Prepares monthly and annual required reports
• Assists with the preparation of Metro’s Affirmative Action Program under Director’s guidance
• Presents information to management and employee groups on the progress of Metro’s Affirmative Action Program
• Advises management and staff of Metro’s policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
• Serves as department representative at roundtables meetings, rap sessions, and other meetings
• Assists in various audits conducted by state and federal entities, including the Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Civil Rights Department (CRD)
• Prepares responses to agency charges including those filed with the EEOC and CRD
• Prepares reports and other various correspondence; researches and writes responses to inquiries from executive officers, department heads and employees
• Prepares reports and other various correspondence; researches and writes responses to inquiries from executive officers, department heads and employees
• Stays updated on federal and state civil laws and on investigative techniques, including interview skills, report writing and analysis, and credibility factors
• Stays updated on federal and state civil laws and on investigative techniques, including interview skills, report writing and analysis, and credibility factors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out
May be required to perform other related job duties

Preferred Qualifications
The following are the preferred qualifications:
• Experience conducting thorough and timely investigations of internal complaints of employment related concerns
• Experience responding to agency charges, such as charges filed with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• Experience advising managers and employees on compliance with State, Federal and internal guidelines and regulations
• Experience consulting with divisions and departments on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance and provide training as needed
• Experience overseeing and review the work of junior staff

Knowledge:
• Civil rights laws and employment laws, especially relating to investigations, training, and compliance
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to civil rights compliance
• Affirmative action compliance requirements
• Collective bargaining agreements or other related labor laws
• Training preparation and presentation techniques
• Research and report preparation methods
• Investigative and interview techniques
• Applicable business software applications

Skills:
• Performing complex workplace investigations in support of equal employment opportunity and civil rights administration, investigations, and compliance
• Compiling and analyzing complex data
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions
• Exercising sound judgment and creatively in making conclusions and recommendations
• Assessing training needs, preparing lesson plans, and conducting training programs
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Various forms of communication, including non-verbal, formal, informal, face-to-face, virtual, etc
• Preparing comprehensive, complex, and highly analytical reports and correspondence
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
• Operating personal computers and general office equipment

Abilities:
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Meet tight time restraints and deadlines while successfully managing a caseload
• Lead work teams as assigned
• Think and act independently
• Represent Metro before the public and compliance government agencies
• Analyze collective bargaining agreements for their relevance to complaint allegations, findings, and resolutions
• Effectively participate in mediation and conciliation to resolve outstanding complaints
• Handle highly confidential information
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Requirements For Employment
A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for the required education on a two-for-one-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Communications, Criminology, Sociology, or a related field; Master’s Degree in a related field preferred

Experience
• Five years of relevant experience conducting investigations for civil rights programs; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

How to Apply

Selection Procedure
Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure
To apply, visit Metro’s website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application. Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.
All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. (TW)
*Open to the public and all Metro employees
This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.