Senior Manager, EEO Programs

POSITION SUMMARY

Oversees the design, development and administration of CTA diversity / affirmative action Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs to ensure they are in compliance with government regulations, meet CTA goals and objectives, and promote positive CTA image and reputation.  Develops, recommends, and executes EEO strategies, policies, processes and procedures to support the organizational objectives. Educates and provides consultation to upper management and executives on diversity and inclusion practices to ensure initiatives and resources are effectively leveraged to drive business results. Oversees investigations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation complaints.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategizes, organizes, creates, develops, manages and controls organizational EEO programs to support company goals and culture.

• Reviews statutory (federal and state) EEO programs, including Federal Transit Administration (FTA) mandated programs.
• Modifies existing programs,  develop and implement best practices, affirmative action plans, policies and procedures to ensure diversity values are integrated into the day-to-day activities across all operation units.
• Participates in overall EEO strategy development. Translates strategies into specific actions with clear accountability and communicates priorities to management.
• Collaborates with Human Resources to ensure the hiring, promotion, and discipline processes follow guidelines and incorporate the CTA’s diversity values.

Educates departments and coaches / counsels senior management on EEO standards.

• Provides diversity and inclusion consulting services to upper management and operation units designed to increase retention, improve employee engagement and create a progressive and inclusive culture.
• Promotes, plans, and initiates diversity-oriented events, minority and protected class inclusion programs and cross-cultural workshops and seminars to educate organization staff on EEO and other programs.

Mitigates complex diversity-based disputes and accusations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation against the organization or other employees.

• Reviews EEO related incidents, oversees analysis, and reviews witness interviews and investigation findings to recommend appropriate findings and course of action.
•  Leads investigations and determines whether violations of CTA’s EEO policy have occurred.
• Writes and provides reports of investigations to CTA’s executive leadership.
• Manages and organize cases (i.e., complaints, issues, requests, etc.) referred to EEO; properly documenting and keeping records for future review and follow-up; maintaining information such as responses and referrals.

Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff.  Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.

Establishes, develops, and manages relationships and contracts with external organizations / agencies:

• Notifies and informs legal counsel to ensure timely investigation and resolutions of allegations of discrimination, violations of CTA policies and statutory EEO protection, including Title VI, and Title VII.
• Retains knowledge on federal, state and local transportation regulatory agencies to ensure CTA compliance with EEO programs.

Oversees record keeping and reporting systems functionalities, including preparation of the annual EEO program, Annual Title VI and periodicTriennial FTA reports.  Provides quarterly reports to CTA’s President on CTA’s workforce along with investigations and violations of CTA’s EEO and Title VI policies.

Performs other duties as might be assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

• EEO Investigator
• Coordinator, Title VI and Affirmative Action
• Senior Coordinator, EEO/Affirmative Action Programs

CHALLENGES

• Adapting behavior, opinions, tactics, and strategies to different situations, individuals, or changing priorities.
• Maintaining professionalism when dealing with employees that have problems and issues.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Law, or a related field, and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in managerial level work with EEO Programs, Title VI, Title VII or related work, or a comparable combination of education and experience.
• HR Certification or EEO Investigator Certification preferred.
• Human Resources Graduate degree or J.D. strongly preferred.
• Supervisory experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity and fingering for working with computer key boards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local statues and provisions pursuant to Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Ability to read, interpret, analyze, and apply law and policy
• Working knowledge of arbitration/conflict resolution aspects and procedures.
• Working knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• General knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
• Strong social perceptiveness skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills.
• Good time management and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to sequence concepts logically, deliver/clarify complex information, and explain in a manner that makes technical information understandable to non-technical individuals.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Occasional exposure to various weather conditions with traveling to other work locations.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.