Equal Employment Opportunity Director

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is currently recruiting for an Equal Employment Opportunity Director position.  This is a full time 40 hours per week position will be located at 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT.  The Equal Employment Opportunity Director will undertake a comprehensive review and revitalization of EEO office and its operation. The Director’s primary duties are the planning, implementation and ongoing management of the office’s activities.

This includes the following:

• The formulation of program goals and objectives.
• The identification, collection and publication of corresponding performance indicators.
• The development or assistance in development of related policy, legislation and regulations.
• The interpretation and administration of pertinent laws.
• The development and delivery of relevant training for agency personnel.
• The preparation or assistance in preparation of unit budget and solicitation of grant funds.
• The cultivation of contacts with individuals within the agency as well as other state agencies and external resources.
• To advise agency officials on affirmative action goals, initiatives and issues to mitigate any discriminatory conduct and to recommend and/or implement solutions.
• To develop strategic affirmative action programs.
• To supervise unit staff.
• To communicate and train agency staff.
• To develop and oversee outreach and recruitment programs.
• To implement procedures to ensure internal and external compliance with federal and state laws, statutes, regulations and Executive Orders.
• To assess the effectiveness of policies and procedures, identify and implement opportunities to improve.
• To conduct or lead complex investigations and report findings and recommendations upon conclusion to Commissioner, or Attorney General when appropriate.
• The EEO Director may also serve as the agency's ADA coordinator and perform related duties as required.  

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current employee of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, who has permanent state status, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history records check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.

Click here CT-HR-13 to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum. This must be uploaded with your application under the ‘other tab’ on the application.

Candidates selected for interview must provide the following at the time of interview:  

    - Two (2) most recent performance evaluations

    - Resume

Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.

In the Departments of Children and Families, Correction, Education, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Developmental Services, Emergency Services and Public Protection, Social Services and Transportation this class is accountable for directing and monitoring the agency's Equal Employment Opportunity program.
In the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), this class is accountable for directing and monitoring the Equal Employment Opportunity programs of DAS and the agencies serviced by DAS as well as completing the Federal Affirmative Action Plan for the State of Connecticut.

Directs staff and operations of the Equal Employment Opportunity unit; coordinates, plans and manages unit activities; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policy, legislation and regulations; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of unit budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of unit who might impact on program activities; advises agency officials on affirmative action goals, initiatives and issues to mitigate any discriminatory conduct; recommends and/or implements solutions; develops strategic affirmative action programs; communicates and trains agency staff; develops and oversees outreach and recruitment programs; implements procedures to ensure internal and external compliance with federal and state laws, statutes, regulations and Executive Orders; monitors effectiveness of policies and procedures; conducts or leads complex investigations and reports findings and recommendations upon conclusion to Commissioner or Attorney General when appropriate; may oversee the State of Connecticut Minority & Small Contractor's Set Aside Program and contract compliance; may oversee affirmative action for patient, student, inmate and/or client rights programs; may serve as the agency's ADA coordinator; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of employment practices related to civil rights, equal employment opportunity or affirmative action plans and programs; knowledge of needs and issues of patients, inmates, students or clients; knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques; knowledge of merit system selection process including recruitment, examination, classification and certification; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; investigatory skills; ability to develop and implement affirmative action plans; ability to compile, analyze and evaluate statistical data; supervisory ability.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in affirmative action, equal opportunity assurance or human resources management.

Four (4) years of the General Experience must have involved primary responsibility for affirmative action and equal opportunity assurance in an employment setting with at least two (2) years at the level of Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 2.

1. College training my be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in public administration, human resources management, labor relations, or a closely related field or a law degree may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. For state employees two (2) years of experience as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 2 or one (1) year of experience as an Equal Employment Opportunity Manager may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

Experience the preparation of an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Plan for submission and review;  experience in conducting investigations; candidate should be able to articulate findings using written and verbal communication skills; good interpersonal skills;  experience in facilitating training.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. In accordance with Connecticut General Statute, incumbents in this class must complete five (5) hours of training during the first year of service or designation and a minimum of three (3) hours biannually thereafter. This training shall include (1) state and federal discrimination laws and (2) internal discrimination investigation techniques which will be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.