Racial & Social Justice Investigator
Company: City of Somerville
Location: Somerville
Posted on: May 28, 2023
Job Description:
Statement of DutiesUnder the direct supervision of the Director
of Racial and Social Justice, the Racial & Social Justice (RSJ)
Investigator will be a part of the RSJ team working to advance the
goals of the department. This position will provide a single point
of entry for individuals with concerns or complaints related to
hate, bias, and social injustice incidences to be heard and
responded to. The Investigator is responsible for investigating
complaints of discrimination within the jurisdiction of the RSJ
Department's work. The investigator will work closely with the
community and key stakeholders to ensure that investigations are
completed in a timely and equitable manner. The investigator shall
ensure high standards for the quality of RSJ deliverables, projects
and initiatives related to the division; draft strategic plans,
advocate on RSJ issues; oversee management of relative programs and
provide support to for projects and training for the Human Rights
Commission.. Employee is required to perform all similar or related
duties.Essential Functions:The essential functions or duties listed
below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of
work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of
duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is
similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
- Receives, investigates, and manages a caseload of civilian
complaints related to allegations of hate, bias incidences and or
any other identified social injustice.
- Coordinates and completes highly complex, difficult, and
sensitive investigations.
- Conducts investigations in a thorough and timely fashion,
including appropriate discretion in management of confidential
information.
- Advances methods and techniques of administrative
investigations include developing an investigative plan and writing
an investigative report.
- Analyzes and interprets rules, regulations, and policies.
- Researches and secures confidential and sensitive documentary
evidence for cases.
- Identifies, gathers, reviews, and analyzes information from a
variety of sources.
- Conducts fact finding and mediation conferences. Provides
technical assistance and information including but not limited to
employers, business owners and members of the public, as well as to
city agencies and community organizations.
- Follows up on intakes and investigates claims through effective
communication impacted Somerville constituents and
stakeholders.
- Legal writing including, but not limited to, drafting
complaints, letters, memos, and administrative appeals; and
non-legal writing including community advisories, issue briefings,
and other reports and proposals.
- Supports the development of surveys, focus groups, and other
research initiatives as well as the drafting and publication of
reports.
- Communicates with outside parties such as attorneys, law
enforcement, administrative agencies, school districts, school
administrators, etc.
- Develops training for school districts, colleges, law
enforcement, lawmakers, and other institutions that respond to
incidents of hate.
- Develops and implements training for the Somerville Human
Rights Commission.
- Performs in-depth legal and policy research on issues of hate
incidents, race & social injustices, and their intersections.
- Researches and meets with strategic partners including
nonprofits, government entities, foundations, and academics to
reach intersectional and collaborative solutions to prevent
hate.
- Works to develop and distribute information on hate, and other
injustices to educate and empower diverse community members on
their rights through community presentations and material
distributions.
- Participates in outreach activities through community events
and coalition meetings.
- Assists in collecting information and performing data analysis
that can inform training, advocacy, law makers, and partners on the
types of hate and their impact on the communities we
represent.
- Supervises professional and support staff assigned to the
department with a strong emphasis on leadership, team building, and
staff motivation.
- Supervises and works closely with the HRC Committee for hate
and bias incidents.
- Supervises and works closely with RSJ Case Manager.
- Furthers education and outreach to impacted communities on how
to report, address, and heal from incidents of hate, bias,
discrimination, and other social injustices.
- Assists in developing training for the city and other
institutions that respond to incidents of hate, bias,
discrimination, and other social injustices.
- Invests additional capacity and resources in developing
strategic partnerships with nonprofits, government entities,
foundations, and academics to reach intersectional and
collaborative solutions to preventing hate, bias, discrimination,
and other social injustices.
- Formulates recommendations to the RSJ Director on hate/bias
complaint incident tracking and prevention.
- Collaborates with the RSJ Director to establish monitoring and
evaluation plans to track and assess progress of relative RSJ
initiatives.
- Commits to continuous learning/improvement in DEI knowledge,
cultural proficiency, and self-awareness.Recommended Minimum
QualificationsEducation and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in public policy, civil rights, EEO,
investigations, law, or a similar field, and five (5) years of
experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training
and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and
abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Applications demonstrating lived experience with proper
knowledge of federal and state civil rights law, discrimination
investigations, mediation, and conflict resolution skills in lieu
of education are strongly encouraged.
- Master's degree in a related field or JD preferred.Special
Requirements
Strong demonstrated commitment to equity, community empowerment and
capacity building.Knowledge, Abilities and SkillKnowledge:
- Program management, operations, finance, leadership, grassroots
organizing and a knowledge of building and sustaining trust.
- Knowledge of laws related to equal opportunity, discrimination,
human and civil rights; working knowledge of other applicable laws,
regulations, and guidance as they pertain to investigation and
analysis of hate, bias, discrimination, and harassment
complaints.
- Knowledge of federal civil rights laws or similar, including
case law and agency interpretation; familiarity with witness
interview and investigation techniques; experience conducting
complex legal analysis, reaching legally sound determinations, and
producing high-quality written work products.Ability:
- Ability to meet and deal appropriately and effectively with
City employees, City officials and members of the general public.
ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing;
- Ability to handle problems and emergencies effectively; ability
to maintain confidential information; ability to exercise tact and
diplomacy in organizational settings. Remain focused in the face of
pressure, delivers against timelines.
- Ability to operate a computer; ability to maintain, manage, and
organize records; Be detailed oriented with a commitment to
accuracy. Distinguish initial requests from true underlying
needs.
- Demonstrated ability to manage caseload of multiple complex
investigations simultaneously; strong organization skills,
including the ability to manage time and tasks effectively,
prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to understand and interpret laws and policies, to work
within a large organization to accomplish given ends through
negotiation and dialogue.
- Demonstrated ability to write concise, detailed, analytical
reports.
- Be comfortable in a fast-paced environment and capable of
juggling multiple initiatives simultaneously, often against tight
deadlines.
- Have strong collaboration skills, but also the ability to work
autonomously.
- Apply effective judgment and discretion to maintain a high
level of confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
- Ability to develop templates and tools to provide guidance and
support to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to Conduct fact-based investigations including
scheduling, witness interviews, evidence reviews, and drafting of
investigative reports.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious
working relationships with diverse stakeholders regarding strategy,
policy, operations, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities;
problem solve and think strategically, analytically, and
creatively; learn new concepts quickly; collaborate, build
consensus, and lead; be self-motivated and organized.Skill:
- Excellent organizational skills; excellent data processing
skill in the use of personal computers and office software
including word processing, data base internet, and spreadsheet
applications. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability
to work cooperatively in a diverse community and to maintain
effective relationships with parties who may have conflicting
opinions. Conducts intakes of informal and formal complaints and
makes recommendations of necessary interim measures in
collaboration with the RSJ Director.
- A high level of professionalism, diplomacy, patience, and
confidentiality.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
De-escalation, mediation, and supervisory skills. The ability to
listen, adapt and consider qualitative as well as quantitative
data. Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. Strong
organizational, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Ability
to effectively present information to diverse groups. Interpersonal
skills necessary to interact successfully with a wide range of
individuals.Work EnvironmentThe work environment involves everyday
discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside
elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but
conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required
to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening
meetings, weekend events or complete work assignments.Physical and
Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those
that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
position's essential functions.Physical Skills
Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort
principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with
intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May also
be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment and
computer paper (up to 30 lbs.)Motor Skills
Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may
occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as
moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or
most other office equipment including word processing, filing and
sorting of papers.Cognitive Visual Skills
Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general
understanding and analytical purposes.Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $86,151.43 annualized, plus benefits
Union: Non-Union
Date Posted: May 15, 2023
City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to
apply.
The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity
employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other
protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with
disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative
formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures
will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of
charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary
aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL),
written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable
modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the
programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should
please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or
apomeroy@somervillema.gov.
Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:
- MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
clearance
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
- Completition of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for
municipal employees
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
To better protect the health and safety of staff and the public,
all City of Somerville employees must be fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 as of November 1, 2021. Exemptions and/or reasonable
accommodations are not guaranteed and will be reviewed by the City
of Somerville Human Resources Department on a case-by-case basis.
Learn more at .
Overview of Benefits Somerville Offers:
- 4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union
positions vary by contract
- Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
- 80% of premium costs paid by City
- Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
- Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
- Long term disability through Sun Life
- Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston
Mutual
- Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through
Benefit Strategies
- Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three
vendors
- Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
- Annual cancer screening & wellness release
- Tuition reimbursement
- MBTA pass program
- FREE Blue Bikes membership
- Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Program (PSLF)
Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above
information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit
programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding
contract.Powered by JazzHR
Keywords: City of Somerville, Somerville , Racial & Social Justice Investigator, Other , Somerville, Massachusetts
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