Human Rights Specialist
Under direction, to perform responsible educational, investigative, conciliatory, public relations and administrative work in enforcing equal opportunity, fair employment and fair housing practices and to assist in promoting human rights programs.
Please Note: This position conducts investigations of formal complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, fair housing, and public accommodations
Acceptable Experience and Training
- Bachelor's degree in International Relations, English, History, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Business or Public Administration or related field; preferably with coursework in human rights, civil rights, American History, equal opportunity/affirmative action law, business law, research methods or statistics; and
- One year of experience in research and statistical analysis, intergroup relations work, or investigations: experience in these areas must pertain to civil rights laws, employment laws, social issues, criminal investigations, or related area; or
- Any equivalent combination in which each additional two years of related experience may be substituted for one year of education, but in no case may experience be substituted for more than two years of education.
- Multi-lingual Fluency is Preferred
NOTE: Transcripts verifying degree conferred and courses completed need to be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1551 E MLK Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50317 by the application deadline date.
Required Special Qualifications
- Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
- Candidates for this position will be required to pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.
Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)
- Conducts investigations of formal complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, fair housing, and public accommodations; interviews complainants, respondents and witnesses; analyzes and reviews evidence received from parties; identifies, obtains, and analyzes comparative evidence; researches principles and controlling precedents, and recommends disposition of complaints.
- Assists in conciliation and public hearing procedures and activities.
- Plans educational programs pertaining to the principles of equal opportunity and fair employment practices and presents such programs to community organizations, employers and others.
- Uses the techniques of education, conciliation and persuasion to achieve mutually satisfactory solutions to human rights and discrimination concerns.
- Prepares formal and informal research reports on extent of discrimination in housing, employment and other areas of community involvement.
- Plans, organizes and presents workshops, panels, seminars and lectures to various civic, educational, business and labor groups to promote civil and human rights understanding.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.