Employment Investigations Supervisor

Springfield, MA, United States

Job Description

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) is the independent state agency that enforces the Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodations by investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating complaints of discrimination. The MCAD also offers remedial and preventative training, and publishes resources online such as model policies, posters, and guides.

The MCAD is seeking a motivated and experienced individual to supervise the Employment Investigations Unit. Incumbent in this position will perform investigative duties, manage a case load and complete a minimum requirement of investigations each month. Incumbent in this position will also exercise direct supervision over a unit within the Investigations Division consisting of subordinate investigators. As such, he/she/they will supervise, plan, review, and evaluate work product and performance of subordinates. Incumbent will on-board and evaluate the performance of newly hired investigators during their probationary period. Further, and in addition to maintaining and completing their own caseload, the Incumbent is expected to provide on the job training for employees in their unit; review and analyze investigative dispositions prepared by subordinates for accuracy, completeness, and content; resolve unit issues and/or problems; monitor for compliance purposes, various activities, services or functions for an assigned agency program area. Incumbent may be responsible for working collaboratively with federal partners and provide reports as requested. Incumbent must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently both verbally and in writing. Incumbent is expected to complete performance evaluations (EPRSs) of subordinates in a timely fashion. Incumbent shall have the ability to utilize Microsoft, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and information data management systems.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

Effectively manages a case load and produces written dispositions and completes cases in accordance with established monthly goals;

Routinely reviews assigned cases and ensures that necessary documents and evidence have been timely requested and conducts follow-up to ensure compliance by parties;

Completes assigned investigations within 12-18 months of their being filed or assigned, as far as practicable;

Updates case information codes, events, and notes in Case Management System ("CMS"), reviews and responds to correspondence in a timely manner;

Refers motions and legal issues to the Attorney Advisors' attention in a timely manner;

Drafts dispositions that are factually sound, well-reasoned, analyze complex fact patterns and appropriately apply relevant laws and regulations;

Actively supervises, reviews, evaluates and analyzes the work performance and related work product of investigators; reviews, forwards, and/or returns investigators' work within 48 hours of receipt, as far as practicable;

Meets regularly with investigators to discuss the quality of their work and, as necessary, suggests methods to increase productivity to attain and maintain monthly production goals;

Demonstrates an understanding of the skill level of each investigator, identifies deficiencies in the investigators' ability to effectively draft timely, concise, coherent and accurate dispositions; proactively identifies areas of needed improvement to assist investigators in developing their skill level;

Keeps current on the Unit's case completions by receiving and reviewing weekly updated Excel spreadsheets from each investigator and taking effective and timely steps to prevent and/or reduce and eliminate the backlog of old cases (those over 18 months old);

Appropriately and timely recognizes the individual achievements of unit members;

Motivates unit members, through demonstrative leadership, effectively and efficiently guides Unit's cases through the investigative process and achieves case completions within 12-18 months of their being filed or assigned, as far as practicable;

Ensures that Unit staff, as well as him/herself/themself, complete remanded cases in a timely manner.

Communicates to management all personnel issues, performance concerns, disciplinary matters and other problems that cannot be resolved within the Unit in timely manner;

Immediately notifies DCOI and COI of any possible violations of management directives, policies, procedures, or regulations by subordinates so that corrective measures can be taken;

Documents on a monthly basis an investigator's low productivity and/or inability to effectively draft timely, concise, coherent and accurate dispositions, provides written constructive direction and a plan to the investigator to achieve desired goals, and keeps DCOI and COI informed of same;

Disseminates information from COI, DCOI, and the Commission and provides on-the-job training for investigators, temporary employees, interns and volunteers;

Identifies and communicates to the DCOI and COI the achievements of Unit members; systemic problems or the need for changes in policies and procedures together with appropriate constructive recommendations to resolve these matters;

Produces and submits in the proper format accurate reports as required by the COI, DCOI or the Commission in a timely manner;

Communicates and works collaboratively with Unit members, other Unit supervisors to ensure appropriate and adequate back-up services;

Oversees the transition of the caseload of an absent or departing investigator in the Unit by ensuring that cases are reassigned, if necessary, and completed, spreadsheets are up to date, motions have been resolved with the assistance of the Attorney Advisor, voicemail has been turned off, and parties have been notified of the change of investigator;

Provides immediate training, weekly scheduled meetings, and monthly progress evaluations for newly hired compliance officers;

Supervises interns as required;

Participates in internal and external training, outreach programs, ADR, and Investigations committees as required or assigned;

Responds to and/or ensures that a response is provided in a timely and appropriate manner to inquiries from the public regarding agency policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations;

Ensures that Unit staff, as well as him/her/themself, maintain a professional, courteous and helpful attitude when working with or meeting the public;

Ensures that unit staff, as well as him/her/themself, respond to all telephone calls, e-mail messages or inquiries of any kind within 48 hours, as far as practicable;

Ensures that difficult situations involving the public or parties to a complaint are resolved timely and at the lowest possible level before being elevated to the attention of management with a recommendation for resolution;

Performs efficient and effective intakes on as required by the intake rotation schedule and responds to information calls;

Ensures sufficient coverage (intake duty and investigative conferences) in the event a Unit member is out due to illness or vacation.

Ensures that all investigative conferences by Unit personnel are held in a professional and competent manner;

Demonstrates commitment to the public, and compliance with MCAD regulations, policies and procedures;

Demonstrates commitment to and proactively engages in meeting the goals and objectives of the Investigations Division and the Commission;

Fosters open and professional communication with and between office staff, other supervisors, colleagues and management;

Works cooperatively and collaboratively with all MCAD colleagues to pursue and achieve the goals and objectives of the Investigations Division and the Commission;

Responds to management and supervision from management;

Conducts him/her/themself in a professional and appropriate manner;

Follows correct supervisory and management protocol;

Displays dependability, initiative, and ability to function independently;

Effectively communicates with Unit members by holding regularly scheduled Unit meetings with unit members and assigned Attorney Advisor;

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in investigatory, law enforcement or regulatory administration work, or (B) and equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for a maximum of the two years of the required experience.Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.