Civil Rights Specialist-Denver

Department Information

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

About CDOT
Are you looking for a challenge? Do you have a passion for helping people? Do you want to be part of a diverse team that is committed to making the transportation system in Colorado safe and efficient? Then, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is the place for you! CDOT is devoted to incorporating technology, providing equal employment opportunities, developing leaders, and improving systems in order to provide outstanding customer service. By saving lives and making lives better by providing freedom, connection, and experience through travel, CDOT is committed to becoming the number #1 Department of Transportation in the country. In working towards this goal, we believe every one of our employees plays a critical role. CDOT's core values include safety, people, integrity, customer service, excellence and respect. Please visit https://www.codot.gov/ to learn about CDOT and how we are making Colorado a great place to live, work and play, now and for the future!

State employees make Colorado an amazing place to learn, work, and play. We want every day to feel like an opportunity. We want to be surrounded by innovation, vibrant optimism, and creativity. Most of all we want to feel like we're doing what we're meant to be doing. It's our nature. Working for Colorado means being surrounded by people who share your vision. It's where making a difference meets a pioneering spirit. Reach your peak state and together let's share everything we love about Colorado. To learn about the State's Employee Value Proposition visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/evp

In addition to a fantastic place to work CDOT offers a variety of benefits which include:

• Annual leave (accrued based on years of service, starting at 8 hours a month)
• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Medical and dental plans
• State paid life insurance policy of $50,000
• Choice of 2 retirement plans
• 401K and 457 plans
• State paid Short Term Disability coverage
• Credit Union Membership
• Work life programs
• Free RTD EcoPass
• Tuition reimbursement programs
• Training

To learn more about our benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation

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Description of Job

The purpose of the position is to support the internal civil rights programs for region personnel by ensuring compliance with Federal and State Civil Rights Laws, Rules and Regulations and other applicable internal and external policies and procedures regarding personnel management, workplace investigations and dispute resolution.

Major duties and responsibilitiesinclude, but are not limited to:

• Ensure equal opportunity in CDOT employment practices; advise and guide employees, supervisors and managers on personnel management;
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to ensure personnel rules are followed;
• Receive complaints from CDOT employees including potential discrimination, workplace issues, harassment and disparate treatment;
• Determine if violations exist of State Personnel Rules and Regulations, CDOT Policies and Procedures, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, ADA workplace Violence, Sexual Harassment;
• Conduct investigations including gathering information, interviewing witnesses, developing reports and making determinations;
• Collect and track information for federal reporting;
• Conduct mediation/ facilitate dispute resolution internally and externally; advise employees on rights, processes and applicable procedures;
• Provide guidance to employees on career development and enrichment; strategize, develop, and manage programs that assist employees in career progression, training opportunities, and retention;
• Other job duties as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Primarily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours, Monday-Friday
• Approximately 20% spent in the field, 80% spent in the office
• Travel required during work hours throughout regional work locations.
• Occasional overnight travel 1-3 times a year throughout Colorado
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This experience must be specifically documented on your application. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Law, Human Resources Management, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Business Administration or a directly related field; (a transcript showing degree conferral must be included with your application to verify this requirement);

AND

• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible human resources administration and/or management experience focused on workplace investigations and employee relations to include compliance experience with the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This experience must be specifically documented on your application.
• A current valid driver's license is required for this position as it requires operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform one or more essential functions of the position.

Substitutions:
A combination of technical and professional work experience in human resources that provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required Bachelor's degree but not for the specific experience.

A Graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a closely related field may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree and one year of the required experience.

NOTE: A legible copy of your unofficial college transcript(s) or credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent oral and written communications skills;
• Two or more years experience conducting civil rights investigations;
• Additional years of experience drafting investigations reports;
• Additional compliance of experience with CADA, FMLA, ADA
• J.D. preferred

Stronger candidates will be those that demonstrate depth and breadth of skill and ability, through a combination of professional experience and formal training, to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.

The Exceptional Applicant will be an experienced Employee Relations/Civil Rights Professional and will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
• Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of theories, principles, and best practices of human resources, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and employment law;
• Knowledge of laws and experience with handling workplace issues (workplace violence, Title VII, ADA, FMLA);
• Experience with State Personnel Rules and Procedures;
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and federal laws;
• Experience with employee development programs;
• Strong workplace investigative, interviewing and research skills;
• Experience conducting workplace investigations, particularly with regard to Title VII
• Experience responding to external agency requests (such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, State Personnel Board, Colorado Civil Rights Division) and assisting with defense of litigation;
• Excellent judgment, evaluation, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making skills;
• Superior oral communication skills including experience and skill providing oral presentations, trainings, lectures;
• Excellent writing skills and ability to develop official correspondence and reports;
• Strong leadership, effective interpersonal, customer service and relationship-building skills;
• Strong mediation and conflict resolution skills and experience;
• Advising/mentoring/consulting skills and experience;
• Organizational awareness and ability to partner effectively with staff and sensitivity to their needs and priorities;
• Ability to adapt communication style to various audiences and situations, modeling high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, and respect for individuals;
• Strong planning, time and project management skills and experience;
• Thoroughness and attention to detail;
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite, Gmail, SAP and the ability to quickly learn new software.

Employment Screening
If an applicant reaches the finalist stage of the hiring process, the Colorado Department of Transportation may procure a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report on the applicant in connection with his/her application for employment purposes, as defined under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. These reports may be obtained at any time after receipt of the applicant's authorization. As part of the employment screening an applicant will be requested to disclose any deferred judgments and convictions as well an explanation of the circumstances around any arrest or conviction. In the event that a screening returns information that the applicant believes is not accurate, he or she will have an opportunity to dispute the information with "Info Cubic".

Info Cubic, a consumer reporting agency, will obtain the report for CDOT. Further information regarding Info Cubic, LLC, including its privacy policy, may be found online at www.InfoCubic.com. Info Cubic is located at 9250 E. Costilla Ave., Suite 525, Greenwood Village, CO 80112, and can be reached at 877.360.4636.

The report may contain information bearing on the applicant's character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living. The information that may be included in the report includes: social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records checks, educational records, and driving records checks. CDOT will only request credit reports insofar as they relate to the position for which the applicant is applying. The information contained in the report will be obtained from private and/or public record sources. The applicant will have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable time after receipt of a notice, to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report.

Supplemental Information

Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be via email. Include your current working email address on your application and check your email frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

Applicant Checklist: Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Immediately after you submit your application you should receive an email that confirms that you successfully submitted an application for this position. If you do not, try submitting again until you receive the confirmation email. Be sure to also check your junk folder for email communications from the State of Colorado's website.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:
1) A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the link in this announcement)
2) A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (must submit online as part of your application)
3) A copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation
4) Detailed, Chronological Resume
5) A Cover Letter

Requirements for the resume: Please upload your resume as an attachment in the "attachment" section within your online application or you may email to xiomara.rosales@state.co.us. Please label all pages with your full name. The resume limit is 2 pages with at least 11-point font and 1/2 inch margins. Your resume should contain the following information:

• Education and Training
• Work Experience should be listed in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent experience, and must include:
  • Beginning and ending dates of assignments, including promotion dates
  • Official position title/working title, including specialty area or unit, you held within the organization/company
  • The name of the organization or company
  • A brief description of your job duties

Requirements for the cover letter: Please upload your cover letter as an attachment in the "attachment" section within your online application or you may email to xiomara.rosales@state.co.us. Please label all pages with your full name. The cover letter limit is 2 pages with at least 11-point font and 1/2 inch margins. The education, experience, abilities, and accomplishments listed in this announcement have been identified as critical to successful performance in this position. Your cover letter should address your interest in and qualifications for this job with CDOT. Please be specific and detailed in describing experience, abilities, and accomplishments as they relate to this position's requirements and major duties as described in the announcement.

Only complete applications will be given consideration. Every effort must be made to submit transcripts by the announcement close date. Where unusual circumstances prevent timely acquisition of transcripts, they must be submitted within five business days of the announcement close date.

Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but may be used to supplement information to the application. Resumes and Cover Letters may also be used in the assessment process. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement will result in your application being rejected.

Former employees of the Colorado Department of Transportation System or any other State of Colorado Department or Agency, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information on his/her application.

Transfer, Non-Disciplinary Demotion or Reinstatement:
If you believe that you are eligible to be considered as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion or reinstatement to this vacancy, you must submit a completed application following the directions in this job announcement and you will be included in the selection process along with other qualified applicants. If you are the finalist for this position after the selection process, Human Resources will confirm your eligibility to be appointed as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion or reinstatement applicant.

The Assessment Process: Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through comparative analysis of merit and fitness. Part or all of the assessment for this position will include a review of your application material. Applications will be reviewed by a Human Resource Specialist and/or Subject Matter Experts to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the position. They may also use the application material to assess and rank applicants who meet the minimum requirements, to cut to a top group for additional assessment, or establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.

Be sure your application material specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the Major Duties, Education and Experience Requirements, and Exceptional Applicant sections as listed above. Upload additional pages if necessary to fully explain your experience and accomplishments. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the deadline for application may result in your application not being accepted for this position and may affect your inclusion as a qualified candidate in any of step of the selection process and placement on the eligible list.

Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.

Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.

The Consolidated Appeal/Dispute Form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb/forms-2 . Any appeals must be in writing and received no later than 10 calendar days from the date the examination was administered. Send appeals to the appropriate address as indicated on the Consolidated Appeal/Dispute Form. The above ten-day deadline and appeal procedures apply, as well, to all charges of discrimination.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations: To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources at (303)757-9216 or the contact listed on this announcement as soon as possible to be timely for the assessment process. Any person with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to participate in the hiring process. The person making the request may be asked to provide additional information regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed which will be kept confidential. Advance preparation may be required so requests for accommodation need to be timely for each part of the assessment.

YOU MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COLORADO TO APPLY. CDOT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO ASSEMBLING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE.

AS (SAP# HAA-50004845-01/21/PCR # 38931)