Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1

The State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - Central Office - has one (1) current full-time job opportunity for an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1 position in the EEO Division based in Hartford, CT. 

This is a full-time forty (40) hour per week position.  The work schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.  However, must be flexible in order to meet the needs of the agency.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

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

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

If selected for further consideration, at time of interview, State employees may be required to provide last two (2) service ratings.

Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Incumbents in this class will be required to travel statewide.

This posting MAY require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks for an Equal Employment Opportunity program.

The incumbent in this position would assist the EEO Director with the development and implementation of the DDS Affirmative Action Plans and the day-to-day activities including conducting mediations and/or discrimination investigations in accordance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws and prepares reports on findings; monitors anti-discrimination laws for changes and update policies/procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, statutes, regulations; would be responsible for the preparation of materials and conducting training for existing and new employees on EEO laws; counsels staff on EEO matters; would work with the agency's Legal Division and the AG's Office on external EEO matters; conducts career counseling; review and approval of anti-discrimination policies for qualified private providers that receive DDS funding; and will perform related duties as required.

Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of affirmative action programs; knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques; knowledge of merit system selection process including recruitment, examination and classification; knowledge of needs and issues of patients, inmates, students and/or clients; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to develop and implement affirmative action plans; ability to compile, analyze and evaluate human resource records and statistical information; investigatory ability; ability to assess and define training requirements; ability to utilize human resources information systems.

Six (6) years of professional experience in affirmative action, equal opportunity assurance or human resources management.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have involved primary responsibility for affirmative action or equal opportunity assurance in an employment setting.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling 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 Assistant may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

The preferred candidate will possess:

• experience conducting investigations;
• knowledge and/or experience developing Affirmative Action Plans;
• experience compiling and analyzing statistical data;
• superior experience utilizing CORE/PeopleSoft and Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets;
• experience conducting training for employees on a medium to large size scale;
• considerable oral and written communication skills;
• knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations.

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.  If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Renee LaBarge, DDS EEO Director at 860-418-6022 or renee.labarge@ct.gov.