STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Equal Employment Opportunity Manager

Hybrid

Recruitment #230523-0140MP-001

Introduction

Do you have experience monitoring and evaluating compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure fair employment practices? We might just have the opportunity you've been looking for! We seek a talented and qualified individual for the position of Equal Opportunity Manager in our Central Office!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS), partners with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.

What we can offer you:

  • To work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A balanced work-life.
This position leads the agency's EEO/AA unit, which conducts investigations and trainings and develops reports, including the agency Affirmative Action report for submission to CHRO.

Position highlights:
  • Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Regular Days Off: Saturday & Sunday However must be flexible to meet department needs.
  • Work Hours Per Week: 40
  • Work Shift: First
  • Location: Hartford, CT. Statewide travel may be expected.

Selection Plan

  • This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • 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 1 at (860) 418-6148 or Tommy.Wilson@ct.gov. 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.  
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.   
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.  
  • Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.  
  • Please visit our Applicant Tips on How to Apply page. 
  • Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.weston@ct.gov 
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Administrative Services through Human Resources Centralization, this class is accountable for directing and conducting 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 within and outside of department who might impact program activities;
  • Investigates all complaints of discrimination made against agency and reports findings to appropriate authority;
  • Coordinates findings with Office of the 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;
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • May monitor effectiveness of policies and procedures;
  • May assist with or oversee the State of Connecticut Minority and 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 agency's ADA coordinator;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • 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;
    • interviewing and counseling techniques;
    • merit system selection process including recruitment, examination and classification;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • develop, analyze and implement affirmative action plans;
    • investigate;
    • compile, analyze and evaluate statistical data.

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 of experience at the level of an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Experience leading, managing or supervising staff.
  • Experience developing an Affirmative Action (AA)/Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) or Diversity and Inclusion Plans in a lead role.
  • Experience analyzing and interpreting technical data to solve problems and improve processes as they relate to equal employment opportunities and affirmative action.
  • Experience conducting workplace investigations and making recommendations in accordance with statutory requirements.
  • Experience serving as an Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.
  • Experience creating and delivering EEO/AA/Diversity Awareness, Disability Awareness, Bystander Intervention, or Sexual Harassment Prevention training programs.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, especially Excel spreadsheet development to include managing data, using formulas, exporting of data and ability to pivot data and develop charts/graphs.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, including, Word, Outlook and Teams.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 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.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.