Senior Director, Diversity And Equal Opportunity (Deo) Investigations

Position at MTA Headquarters

JOB TITLE: Senior Director, Equal Opportunity (EO) Investigations

SALARY RANGE: $146,000- $155,000

HAY POINTS: 954

DEPT/DIV: Diversity and Civil Rights

SUPERVISOR: Deputy Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, EO

LOCATION: 2 Broadway New York, NY 10004

HOURS OF WORK: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7 1/2 hours/day)

DEADLINE: Until Filled

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation's largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

SUMMARY:

The duties of the Senior Director EO Investigations include leading internal EO investigations, preparation of investigative reports for complaint resolution, database administration of the All-Agency Complaint Management Tracking System and facilitating training to EO Investigators and MTA staff to ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory and policy requirements as they relate to equal opportunity.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer/ EO (DCDIO), the Senior Director Investigations will manage staff responsible for investigation of allegations of discrimination by applicants, customers, community members and employees.

The Senior Director EO Investigations supports the DCDIO in the supervision and management of the Investigative team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundamental duties and tasks of the Senior Director Investigations:

• Direct management and supervision of DDCR's pool investigators. Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Supervision support for investigators assigned to MTA operating agencies.
• Development and delivery of professional learning opportunities for MTA investigators to ensure full and current knowledge of laws and regulation relevant to Title VI and Title VII investigations.
• Cross agency monitoring and tracking of responses to allegations of discrimination ensure consistency and to alert DCDIO of red flag issues.
• Temporary assignment of DDCR pool of investigators to other agencies.
• Supervise the development and ensure full utilization of DDCR's investigative Case Management and Tracking System (CMTS). Troubleshoot as needed implementation challenges.
• Serve as investigative clearinghouse, monitoring and tracking complaints across all operating agencies ensuring timely responses, supporting or otherwise leading the development of tools, training and/or initiatives to ensure timely and accurate disposition of complaints.
• Prepare reports as requested and required related to investigative caseload.
• Tracking and identifying trends in complaints to lead and/or support the development of programming designed to address and mitigate recurring matters.
• Leading investigations involving highly sensitive concerns and/or matters where the complainant prefers to have matters addressed by an investigator is external to the home operating agency.
• Identify process and policy improvements and make progressive suggestions for change.
• Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this position, the Senior Director is regularly required to remain in a stationary position; operate a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; communicate with individuals and exchange accurate information to respond to inquiries. The Senior Director is regularly required to attend meetings, trainings or other similar engagements, on-and off-site. The Senior Director may be required to move about and navigate the MTA service area to accomplish tasks.
• May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e. evenings and weekends).
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to advise, counsel, and encourage senior level managers, executives and stakeholders to make policy changes and decisions that support diversity and ensure equal employment opportunity.
• Ability to assess and negotiate highly complex, confidential, and sensitive matters of discrimination, harassment, and disproportionate impact, while maintaining objectivity and neutrality.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to bridge and enhance cooperative relationships.
• Advanced facilitation, mediation, advocacy and interpersonal skills to cope with conflicting points of view, function under pressure while demonstrating integrity, fair-mindedness and a persuasive, confident persona.
• Demonstrated proficiency with program design and project management, working under tight deadlines to achieve short and long-term goals as required. Strong analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to work independently, effectively, and comfortably in a team oriented, fast paced environment both within the agency and across agencies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction for the area of responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED:

• BA/BS from an accredited college in a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum ten (10) years' experience conducting investigations pertaining to allegations of Title VI or employment discrimination made by employees, applicants or customers and
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a managerial/supervisory capacity.
• Juris Doctorate or related master's degree for three (3) years of non-supervisory experience.

Strong knowledge of Federal, State, city and local laws governing nondiscrimination of employees, applicants, and contractors and mitigation of disproportionate impact/burden to communities.

PREFERRED:

• MBA in Business, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Familiarity with the MTA's policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA's collective bargaining procedures.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.