STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Equal Employment Opportunity Manager

Recruitment #210219-0140MP-001

Introduction

Our mission at the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve. 

Are you a passionate Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Professional?  Are you seeking a position that offers opportunities to educate and implement procedures to ensure internal and external compliance with federal and state laws, statutes, regulations and Executive Orders? If so, please consider a career with us! 

The DMHAS, Office of the Commissioner (OOC), seeks a qualified individual for a full-time Equal Employment Opportunity Manager in the Equal Employment Opportunity Unit (EEO Unit) located at 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT and 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT. This position is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The position number is 125798. Statewide travel is required. 

The EEO Unit is committed to adhering to the Connecticut statutes to assist the agency in its compliance with federal, state and other applicable civil rights laws, regulations, and guidelines. Offering a civil rights compliance perspective, the EEO staff collaborates with DMHAS administration in drafting, reviewing and implementing internal policies, procedures, and practices. 

In this role you will have the opportunity to direct staff and operations of the EEO Unit, including:  

  • Conducting independent, objective and timely investigations of employee or client initiated discrimination complaints;
  • Proactively identifying internal practices, policies, and procedures that pose a barrier to DMHAS job applicants, employees, and members of the public serviced by the agency who are members of a protected class; 
  • Providing mandated discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment prevention training to DMHAS’s entire workforce (including DMHAS’s administrators, managers and supervisors); 
  • Reporting the DMHAS good faith efforts to comply with the State of Connecticut Affirmative Action Regulations via the writing and submission of the DMHAS Annual Affirmative Action Plan;  
  • Conducting training and develop applicant flow and goals analysis justification for DMHAS Annual Affirmative Action Plan; and  
  • Contract Compliance. 

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees! 

Selection Plan

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications - as listed on the job opening - will be considered for this role, as determined by qualifications stated on the submitted application. 

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies. 

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume in the “Resume Tab” of your application as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system. Individuals considered for interview will be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, attendance, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc.  You do not have to attach these documents to your application. 

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Doreen Clemson at Doreen.Clemson@ct.gov or (860) 785-9855.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for directing and performing activities for an Equal Employment Opportunity program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs staff and operations of the Equal Employment Opportunity unit; coordinates, plans and manages unit activities; formulates program goals and objectives; develops strategic affirmative action programs; develops or assists in development of related policy, legislation and regulations; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of department who might impact on program activities; investigates all complaints of discrimination made against agency and reports findings to appropriate authority; coordinates findings with Attorney General when appropriate; corrects and remedies any discriminatory conduct that occurs; counsels staff on equal employment opportunity matters; prepares materials and conducts training to heighten knowledge of equal employment opportunity laws and affirmative action goals; oversees preparation of affirmative action plans; conducts analysis of data to develop and implement outreach programs; implements procedures to ensure internal and external compliance with federal and state laws, statutes, regulations and Executive Orders; conducts briefing sessions with staff; prepares required reports; may monitor effectiveness of policies and procedures; may assist with or 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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 and/or clients; knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques; knowledge of merit system selection process including recruitment, examination and classification; considerable interpersonal skills; knowledge of needs and issues of patients, inmates, students and/or clients; knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to develop, analyze and implement affirmative action plans; investigatory ability; ability to compile, analyze and evaluate statistical data; supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in affirmative action, equal opportunity assurance or human resources management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have involved primary responsibility for affirmative action and equal opportunity assurance in an employment setting with at least one (1) year at the level of Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may 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 one (1) year of experience as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 2 may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates who possess experience in:  

  • Leading, managing or supervising staff;  
  • Developing Affirmative Action (AA)/Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) or Diversity and Inclusion Plans in a lead role; 
  • Analyzing and interpreting technical data to solve problems and improve processes as they relate to equal employment opportunities and affirmative action; 
  • Conducting workplace investigations and making recommendations in accordance with statutory requirements;  
  • Serving as the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator; 
  • Creating and delivering EEO/AA/Diversity Awareness, Disability Awareness, Bystander Intervention, or Sexual Harassment Prevention training programs; and 
  • Microsoft Office, Excel spreadsheet development including managing data, using formulas, exporting of data and ability to pivot data and develop charts/graphs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

Conclusion

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.