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Director, Office of Equity Assurance & Compliance

Administrative Program Manager III

Recruitment #22-005474-0009

Introduction



The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland. 

GRADE

State Salary Grade 21 Annual
Salary Range: $71,142 - $92,785 (with progression to $114,441)

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building
200 West Baltimore Street 
Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is seeking a dedicated and talented individual to direct its Office of Equity Assurance and Compliance (OEA&C).  This position serves as the principal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer for MSDE, and the employee is charged with monitoring compliance with State and federal equal opportunity laws and policies and promoting a work environment free of any unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation.  This position reports to the Deputy State Superintendent for the Office of Finance and Administration, who serves as the Agency Fair Practices Officer.  The Director for the OEA&C serves as a member of the MSDE Fair Practices Team and partners with the Office of Human Resources (OHR) and the Office of the Attorney General to address issues which arise and formulate proactive solutions.  The successful candidate will be responsible for investigating complaints and the resolution of employee appeals from agencies regarding allegations of violations of the State’s Fair Practices law. This individual will provide leadership, guidance and training to agencies in the areas of equal opportunity, diversity, compliance and complaint investigations.  This is a management service position which serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

POSITION DUTIES

  • Serves as the Equity and Compliance Officer.  Interprets and applies federal and state laws regarding equal access in employment, services, activities, benefits, etc. for protected classifications. Ensures employees are aware of MSDE’s EEO program, including employee rights and responsibilities, policies and procedures for filing complaints of discrimination. Participates in employee orientation process for new employees. Coordinates interview skills training with the OHR. Meets with employees, as necessary and appropriate, to listen to concerns regarding the EEO program. Provides EEO training to all managers and supervisors. Provides EEO training, as requested, by the divisions and programs at MSDE.
  • Serves as the MSDE Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. Interprets and applies federal and state laws regarding equal access in employment, services, activities, benefits, etc. for individuals with disabilities. Provides guidance to employees regarding issues related to qualified individuals with disabilities and accommodations. Receives and investigates all complaints regarding unlawful employment practices based on disability. Makes information available to all employees regarding the ADA’s application to the services, programs and activities of MSDE. Develops and revises MSDE’s policy and procedure for reasonable accommodations. Receives and processes reasonable accommodation requests.
  • Conducts objective and professional investigations of charges of employment discrimination based on race, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, disability, retaliation, and all other protected classifications in accordance with State and federal law.  Produces a report of findings for all investigations conducted with resolute recommendations. Reports of investigations are discussed with the Assistant Attorney General and the Fair Practices Officer for appropriate action.
  • Provides technical assistance to MSDE employees implementing resolutions to work environment complaint issues based on protected classifications protected by state and/or federal law.  Responds to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and/or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) requests for information based on employee-filed complaints.
  • Coordinates and prepares the Department’s EEO Annual Report of personnel activity required by state law submitted to the Department of Budget and Management and copied to the MCCR.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:  Bachelor’s Degree in from an accredited college or university.    

EXPERIENCE:  Five years of fully encompassing professional level work experience implementing an equal opportunity in employment or equal access program and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and fair practice standards. Strong knowledge of State personnel regulations and a background in employee relations is desirable. Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Access).  Prior supervisory experience preferred.

NOTES: 
  1. Additional experience in administrative staff or professional work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education. 
  2. Additional graduate level education at an accredited college or university may be substituted at the rate of 30 semester credit hours on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 
  3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and the case law and trends related to these provisions; Strong understanding of  the policies and procedures affecting equal employment opportunity and fair practices in Maryland State government; Demonstrated experience and success in addressing complaints, applying investigative techniques to identify the issues involved, and developing written reports that adequately support recommendations and conclusions;  Ability to impartially investigate complaints of discrimination and to present recommendations clearly and concisely; Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies, laws, rules, regulations and procedures; Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, staff of other agencies and the general public; Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. Ability to represent the agency as a subject matter expert for a significant component of an equal opportunity program; Ability to train, assign, review and approve the work of subordinate staff; and Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, groups and organizations to resolve equal opportunity issues.

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees. Proof of eligibility to work in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and possible travel throughout the State are required. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

Conclusion

For immediate consideration, application materials should be received by July 1, 2022.  

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside of the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation will be required prior to hire. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for this position online go to MSDE Jobs on JobAps to complete an MSDE Application. On-line applications (and resumes) are the preferred method for receiving your application/attachments.  Using this method will allow applicants to access their documents for future recruitments for which they apply and verify that the appropriate documents (resume-credentials) have been attached to the recruitment that requires them. Applicants must include their resume and provide sufficient information on the application to document that they satisfy the minimum qualifications for this recruitment. Please do not put "See Resume" in the job duties section of your application; your application will not be considered.

If you utilize fax or regular mail as the option to submit required attachments, you will need to resubmit these documents each time you apply for a new position that requires the attachments.  Additionally, you must include the following information on each page of the attachment you submit in order to ensure that we append the attachments to the correct recruitment: First and Last Name, Recruitment Number, and the last 4 digits of your SS# and indicate application for  - Director, Office of Equity Assurance and Compliance, #039530, JobAps #22-005474-0009. Mailing Address: Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Human Resources, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland  21201. Fax: 410-333-8950 – This fax number is for Department of Education recruitment actions only.

If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. For inquiries or an MSDE Application, contact 410-767-0019 or TTY/TDD 410-333-3045 or visit our website at http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.



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