Civil Rights Officer

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:

• Regulatory analysis and application: Interpret and apply laws rules policies technical standards and program requirements to complex situations involving civil rights accessibility equal opportunity or public-service delivery.
• Investigation and issue resolution: Assess jurisdiction gather and evaluate relevant information identify appropriate next steps make sound referrals or findings and handle sensitive matters with neutrality and discretion.
• Service-focused communication: Listen carefully to concerns and explain processes requirements referrals decisions and outcomes clearly to complainants staff partners leadership and members of the public.
• Compliance monitoring and improvement: Develop practical compliance processes; conduct document and follow up on reviews; identify risks; and support corrective actions that improve services and reduce barriers.
• Program and project management: Organize cyclical reporting monitoring training planning and complaint-management responsibilities while maintaining reliable records and meeting deadlines.
• Data-informed decision making: Use complaint monitoring and program data to identify trends measure progress communicate risks and recommend improvements.
• Training and technical assistance: Translate complex requirements into understandable practical guidance and deliver effective training or technical assistance to diverse audiences.
• Collaboration and resourcefulness: Build productive working relationships take ownership of complex work seek appropriate expertise and use sound judgment when guidance is limited or evolving.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Demonstrated experience in civil-rights compliance accessibility regulatory compliance complaint resolution investigations policy development program monitoring workforce programs public administration legal operations or closely related work.
• Experience interpreting and applying laws rules policies contracts technical standards grant requirements or program requirements in a manner that balances compliance obligations with practical customer or public-service needs.
• Experience communicating complex information clearly and respectfully to diverse audiences including customers members of the public employees program partners service providers or leadership.
• Experience managing confidential records sensitive concerns complaints investigations or other matters requiring sound judgment neutrality discretion and appropriate privacy practices.
• Demonstrated ability to organize multiple priorities maintain accurate documentation use office and electronic-records systems and follow projects monitoring activities or corrective actions through completion.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any designation or authorization required to perform the WIOA Equal Opportunity Officer function.

Experience with ADA Title II WIOA Section 188 workforce services apprenticeship programs federally funded programs civil-rights investigations accessibility language access or compliance training is beneficial but not required when a candidate demonstrates transferable skills and the ability to learn the governing framework. A degree in public administration business administration law human resources social services education disability studies compliance or a related field may supplement directly related professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education training and directly related experience will be considered.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY:

A complete state application is not required; however you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume cover letter or other required documents at time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application but the application will not be scored or reviewed.

Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

Tip: When attaching your resume cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as RELEVANT or we will be unable to view your documents.

Required application materials:

• Cover Letter - Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified required skills and competencies with examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
• Resume - include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position including duties dates of employment.

Only online applications will be accepted. By applying online you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents.

If you need an accommodation with the application process please contact the HR office.

BENEFITS:

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Our mountains waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking camping biking fishing boating hunting skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs rodeos and theaters. Read more about our great state here.

See our other incredible benefits here. These are some of our benefits just to name a few:

• Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation sick leave and holidays.
• Military leave: Youll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
• Longevity raises with continuous service as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Health dental vision life insurance coverage flexible spending accounts EAP - clickhere to learn more.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - click here to learn more.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% - 9.07% of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. Click here to learn more.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- clickhere to learn more!
• Career progression training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.

*This position may be covered by aVoluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

E-Verify: This agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9 your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify please visit the E-Verify website found here who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race color national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth age physical or mental disability genetic information marital status creed political beliefs or affiliation veteran status military service retaliation or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at: civil-rights requirements into practical systems that expand access strengthen fairness and improve public service across Montana. As the Department of Labor & Industrys Civil Rights Officer you will help ensure that Montanans can access programs services and workforce opportunities without discrimination or unnecessary barriers. This position offers meaningful public-service work broad collaboration and the opportunity to build lasting expertise in accessibility equal opportunity and compliance.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

Its about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open team-based supportive and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLIhere.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Office of Legal Services provides legal guidance and support that helps the Department of Labor & Industry carry out its responsibilities fairly lawfully and effectively. The Civil Rights Officer serves as the Departments public-facing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator and designated Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Equal Opportunity Officer. This position leads civil-rights compliance activities including accessibility coordination complaint oversight program monitoring training and corrective-action processes. The role works closely with program staff leadership Human Resources investigators service providers and state and federal partners to strengthen consistent accessible and equitable service delivery.

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:

• Meaningful public-service impact Help ensure that Montanans can access DLI programs services and workforce opportunities without discrimination or unnecessary barriers.
• A role you can shape Lead a newly consolidated civil-rights function and build clear consistent systems for accessibility complaints monitoring training and corrective action.
• Complex practical work Apply civil-rights requirements to real situations involving public access workforce programs service delivery and federally funded activities.
• Broad collaboration Work with Legal Human Resources program teams investigators data professionals leadership service providers and federal and state partners.
• Professional growth Develop deep expertise in ADA Title II WIOA Section 188 29 C.F.R. part 38 language access effective communication and public-sector compliance.
• Data-informed results Use complaint monitoring and program data to identify risks measure progress and improve how DLI serves the public.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate accessible services: Addresses public-facing ADA language-access assistive-technology effective-communication accommodation and online-accessibility needs across Department programs and services.
• Lead equal-opportunity compliance: Serves as the Departments designated WIOA Equal Opportunity Officer and oversees required notices policies data collection annual monitoring trackable training and the biennial Nondiscrimination Plan.
• Manage complaint processes: Receives concerns determines jurisdiction investigates matters when required makes appropriate referrals maintains case records and communicates outcomes to involved parties including matters involving the State Apprenticeship Agency.
• Strengthen compliance systems: Reviews policies procedures and service-delivery practices to identify compliance risks improve consistency and support practical sustainable solutions.
• Monitor programs and providers: Conducts and documents monitoring activities involving Department programs workforce services and service providers; tracks corrective actions through completion.
• Analyze trends and risks: Uses complaint monitoring and program data to identify patterns measure progress report risks and support audit readiness and continuous improvement.
• Provide training and guidance: Delivers technical assistance training and practical guidance to Department staff leadership service providers and partners on civil-rights responsibilities and emerging compliance issues.
• Build collaborative partnerships: Works with Legal Services Human Resources program teams investigators data professionals peer equal-opportunity officers and state and federal partners to resolve issues and strengthen public service.