Investigations and Compliance Officer

New York, NY, United States

Company Description

Job Description

DCAS's mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers. From managing New York City's most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings, to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies what we do ensures that all agencies can deliver on their mission. Our reach touches every facet of city government and is instrumental to the successful day-to-day operations of the City of New York.

Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the critical resources and support needed to succeed, including:

- Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.

- Managing 55 public buildings.

- Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.

- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.

- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.

- Leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

When you work at DCAS, you're not just working for one agency, but in service of them all. It's an opportunity to provide impactful support, quality customer service, and help protect the future of New York City for generations to come. Visit our website at nyc.gov/dcas to learn more about the work we do.

DCAS' Citywide Equity and Inclusion (CEI) provides critical guidance and support to all city agencies ensure the proper implementation and adherence to federal, state and city mandated workplace non-discrimination policy and procedures, including responsibilities under the New York City Charter and promulgated by the citywide EEO Policy: The City of New York Equal Employment Opportunity Policy (2021). The mission of DCAS's Citywide Equity and Inclusion (CEI) is to foster the City of New York's emergence as an innovative and global leader in equitable, diverse and inclusive employment practices. CEI is responsible for the development of the City's EEO Policy and other equal employment opportunity (EEO)- best practice guidance impacting the workforce across over 80 agencies (mayoral or non-mayoral).

The Investigation and Compliance Unit, to which this position belongs, updates and provides guidance to agency EEO Officers on investigative and reasonable accommodation processes, develops and presents legally mandated non-discrimination training curricula, conducts very time-sensitive high level discrimination complaint investigations when the EEO Officer or agency head is a party.

CEI develops and collaborates on strategies that fulfill the City's EEO mandates, under local laws and executive orders, and equity and inclusion initiatives that drive the development, engagement, advancement, and retention of a diverse and inclusive workforce. CEI also guides city agencies as they establish their own D&I strategies through the charter-mandated annual Diversity & EEO plans that set forth objectives and best practices to implement EEO policies, promote equitable workforce practices, and create engaging and respectful workplace environments.

Under the direction of the Director, Investigations and Compliance Unit, the Investigations and Compliance Officer will:

- Manage relationships with agency EEO personnel, including provide guidance on the proper interpretation and application of EEO Policy, investigative practices, and requests for reasonable accommodations.

- Assess complaints, inquiries, and process-related questions presented to CEI from employees throughout the city and take subsequent appropriate actions.

- Manage multiple complex EEO investigations through to completion in accordance with CEI's mandate without the need for significant oversight.

- Prepare well-written and well-reasoned investigative reports that are clear and supported by the facts, including make associated recommendations in accordance with EEO Policy.

- Manage high-level CEI projects and specialized initiatives.

- Supervise subordinate attorneys, college aides, interns, and CEI support staff, as necessary.

- Demonstrate good judgment in identifying and overcoming hurdles at all stages of investigation, and confer, as appropriate, with appropriate authorities such as the City's Law Department.

- Manage case practice reviews, including routine reviews of agency EEO complaint and reasonable accommodation files, training records, training content, instructor-led workshops, and the use of complaint tracking systems.

- Ensure agency compliance with the submission of annual and quarterly EEO/Diversity & Inclusion plans and reports on complaint data.

- Analyze citywide trends, including inquiry and complaint data, and offer appropriate guidance to agencies in addressing necessary shifts in workplace culture and other systemic concerns.

- Formulate and monitor enforcement strategies with respect to new legislation, regulations, and policy.

- Develop policy and guidance memoranda to drive increased compliance with EEO, diversity, and inclusion, anti-harassment /anti-discrimination policies.

- Establish a standardized review and approval protocol for agency delivered EEO training and policy statements.

- Plan and conduct training on investigative protocols/procedures, complaint filing and tracking, and other EEO-related topics.

- Work collaboratively with the General Counsel's Office and the Human Capital Division on compliance related to workforce data, training content, and other projects, as needed.

- Conduct legal research on EEO and employment-related issues and relevant legislation.

- Travel to meet with city officials, employees, and members of the public as part of investigative interviews or processes, training, and compliance-related meetings or events.

- Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.

2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or

3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:

To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.