Civil Rights Case Specialist

About the role

The Commission enforces the New York City Human Rights law by investigating and litigating legal violations and engages in outreach and educational efforts to inform New Yorkers of their rights. The Commission seeks to help New York City become a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from discrimination.

Our work is both reactive investigating and enforcing violations, obtaining restitution for victims, and ensuring violations do not recur and proactive. Our proactive work includes education and outreach to small businesses to help them grow their businesses while complying with the law, as well as engaging in affirmative investigations, which may include testing or otherwise identifying patterns of discrimination.

The Commission is seeking a Civil Rights Case Specialist to investigate complaints of discrimination, and work to resolve matters efficiently, including negotiating settlements when appropriate. The position requires analyzing complaints, developing investigative plans, and conducting fact-finding activities such as interviews and information requests to support case resolution. Responsibilities also include preparing detailed reports, maintaining accurate and organized case records, and managing data within electronic systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints received from community groups or individuals, or initiated by the Commission, alleging discrimination in violation of the NYCHRL. [SM1.1][CK1.2]
• Negotiate on-the-spot settlements where appropriate
• Analyze and evaluate complaints and develop investigatory plans including, but not limited to, conducting fact-finding interviews, interrogatories, requests for information, etc., obtaining further information in order to assist in negotiations for settlement conferences.
• Prepare and submit detailed investigative reports and forms in accordance with agency reporting requirements.
• Perform data entry, generate correspondence, and communication with members of the public making inquiries at CCHR.
• Enter/update/retrieve information in an electronic information storage system to facilitate agency operations.
• Maintain organized, accurate and complete case records within the agency's case management system.
• Performs additional duties as needed to advance the work of the LEB.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and three years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in one or more of the following fields: intergroup relations, equal opportunity, human rights, community relations, labor or industrial relations, law, social service, education, housing, research, investigation, personnel administration or public relations, which included report writing as an integral part of the duties. At least two years of this experience must have been in intergroup relations, equal opportunity, or human rights, which included report writing as an integral part of the duties; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and seven years of full-time satisfactory professional experience as described in "1" above; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and all candidates must have at least two years of full-time professional experience in intergroup relations, equal opportunity, or human rights.