HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR TRAINEE

Position Overview

Under immediate supervision of the Human Rights Intake Supervisor for the Department of Human Rights, participates in an agency sponsored training program from six to eighteen months; receives work assignments designed to acquire knowledge and skills as an Intake Human Rights Investigator in the Chicago or Springfield office, interviewing complainants, ascertaining jurisdiction, taking charges of alleged discrimination, and preparing daily production reports; receives training in the interviewing and processing of a department charge of discrimination pursuant to the Human Rights Act, rules and regulations, and operating procedures.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Participates in a Department sponsored trainee program for a period of six to eighteen months for the Intake Human Rights Investigator I position.
• Receives training in discrimination charge intake duties and responsibilities.
• Interviews walk-in, mail-in, and telephone inquiries of potential complainants by ascertaining agency jurisdiction, pursuant to the Human Rights Act.
• Reviews questionnaire forms and letters from potential complainants, and other evidential records furnished before taking a charge.
• Receives training in how to collect, evaluate and analyze the required information to process perfected and unperfected charges of discrimination.
• Receives training on the proper method for submitting to the Human Rights Program Supervisor: written recommendations for action on complainant allegations in the form of correspondence, charges, and reports for charges to be dismissed out of the Intake Unit.
• Receives training in how to log all intake activity on a daily basis by recording filing statistics and related information, including the number of walk-in inquiries, mail-in inquiries, telephone inquiries, the number of perfected and unperfected charges taken, the number of charges dismissed out of the Intake unit, the number of inquiries referred, the number of charges not filed and the number of inquiries over which the department has no jurisdiction.
• Performs other duties as assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college preferably with coursework in business, public, or personnel administration or social sciences.
• Requires no previous experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Social Sciences, Criminal Justice, English or Pre-Law, that required extensive analysis and writing.
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience creating legal or regulatory documentation (reports, correspondence, presentations) tailored to diverse audiences.  
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience collaborating effectively with a range of stakeholders (complainants, respondents, agency personnel) in sensitive contexts.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of researching, collecting, and analyzing complex information and data such as relevant case law.
• Prefers working knowledge applying laws, interpreting regulations (especially the Illinois Human Rights Act) rules, and/or policy & procedures to make comprehensive written recommendations.
• Prefers working knowledge of legal terminology, investigative skills & strategy acquired through working in a law office or similar legal environment.
• Prefers working organizational skills to maintain a significant caseload with varying deadlines while still maintaining other job-related requirements.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Illinois Department of Human Rights

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) is a state agency charged with the enforcement of the Illinois Human Rights Act ("Act"). The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, real estate transactions, financial credit, and public accommodations (including education). IDHR protects and guarantees the rights of all Illinoisans to be free from unlawful discrimination by receiving and investigating claims of unlawful discrimination. Moreover, the Act prohibits retaliation against a person who has opposed that which is reasonably and in good faith believed to be unlawful discrimination; prohibits the aiding, abetting, compelling or coercion of a person to commit a violation of the Act; and prohibits the willful interference with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Department or one of its officers or employees. At the forefront of protecting civil rights, IDHR welcomes all candidates for employment to apply for any position for which they are qualified. Join IDHR in its mission to secure an Illinois free from discrimination.