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Supervises human rights specialists to ensure enforcement of Article II of the Human Rights Ordinance. Reviews written determinations, requests for information, requests for withdrawal, with or without justification, legal memoranda, administrative closures and settlement agreements of the Human Rights Specialist (HRS), checking for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established agency guidelines. Monitors status of all active housing intakes and complaints to ensure that new charges are prepared within the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) statute of limitations and within agency guidelines. Provides input on annual performance evaluations for HRS per county policy. Coordinates and supervises all outreach efforts of the office, including being the liaison with other county departments and the office of public affairs. In addition, supervises and oversees the county's student human rights commission (SHRC), which is comprised of students from Fairfax County Public High Schools (FCPS). Develops, implements, and coordinates with FCPS official, the various activities of the SHRC. Report out and consult with HUD officials on case status, outreach, staff training, and OHREP performance assessment, as well as develop spending plans/budgets, and other reports, as required. Prepares investigative plans, requests for information and schedules fact finding conferences so as to direct an investigation into an alleged violation of the HRO. Presides at the factfinding conference, gathers all relevant evidence pertinent to the merits of the alleged violation of the ordinance. Conducts interviews of complainant and respondent or party representatives. Analyzes statistical data and supportive documents, conducts post-factfinding negotiations utilizing the facts gathered during the factfinding forum to reach an equitable and amicable resolution for the dispute. Interprets and applies civil rights legal precedents during the fact finding and negotiation conferences so that parties know their rights and responsibilities pursuant to the HRO. Conducts pre and post fact finding conference interviews with complainant and respondents witnesses in order to gather all available evidence necessary to render a determination of no reasonable or reasonable grounds.

Illustrative Duties

• May plan, assign tasks and oversee daily activities and work product of Human Rights Specialists;
• May supervise the docketing of new complaints and the formal notification process;
• May provide guidance to lower level specialists in all aspects of investigation and conciliation process;
• Analyzes investigative findings, statistical data and supporting documents;
• Reviews investigation reports, requests for withdrawal with or without settlement, and administrative closure and settlement agreements for accuracy, completeness and compliance with established guidelines; Determines whether issues are of a precedent setting nature;
• Serves as liaison to various state and federal agencies;
• Prepares and conducts training sessions for Human Rights staff, other County employees, and the public on Human Rights issues, laws, etc.
• Participates in formal conciliation conferences and testifies at hearings;
• Oversees the maintenance of statistics on numbers, kinds and status of cases closed or in process and prepares appropriate reports for management review;
• Serves as liaison to various state and federal agencies;
• Prepares and conducts training sessions for Human Rights staff, other County employees, and the public on Human Rights issues, laws, etc.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Civil Rights, legal precedents and applicable case law;
• Knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures;
• Ability to handle complex negotiations with tact, resourcefulness and good judgement;
• Ability to oversee multiple investigations;
• Ability to supervise investigations conducted by subordinates;
• Ability to supervise, train and mentor assigned staff;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to interface with various racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
  

Employment Standards

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to graduation from an accredited law school, plus two years of experience in human rights or a closely related field; or graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in personnel administration, public administration, human resources, management, sociology or a related field, plus five years of experience in civil rights or human rights compliance, investigation, or administration.

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Two years of supervisory experience. Possesses accurate keyboard skills and the ability to conduct on-site investigations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possesses accurate keyboard skills and the ability to conduct on-site investigations. Physical requirements can be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview. As part of the interview process, an exercise may be administered.

It is the policy of Fairfax County Government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314 . EEO/AA/TTY.