HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR TRAINEE SS

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Human Rights is seeking highly motivated and organized individuals to assist the Department with conducting in-depth, neutral investigations into allegations of unlawful discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act. A Human Rights Investigator is responsible for managing and processing a caseload of investigations through completion, with monthly case assignment and production expectations. Day-to-day work involves counseling complainants, ascertaining jurisdiction, interviewing parties to the charge, collecting information, and extensive reading of documentation obtained. Completing the investigation requires writing comprehensive reports, containing an extensive analysis of evidence and witness statements, and interpretation of the law consistent with operating procedures.

Individuals successful in this role will have the ability to read, comprehend, and analyze a large quantity of information while applying law and the Department’s operating procedures, and plan next steps for the investigation as necessary. Individuals working in this role must be organized, be able to work independently and be self-motivated to write multi-page detailed reports.

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 Function

• Participates in a Department sponsored trainee program for a period of six to eighteen months receiving training in discrimination charge intake duties and responsibilities.
• Receives training on the proper collection of information, testimony, and records on employment, housing credit, and public accommodations discrimination cases or sexual harassment in education cases.
• Receives training in the methods of case analysis with the objective to make recommended decisions.
• Communicates in Spanish to individuals who do not speak or read English; receives training to assist higher level human rights investigator in the collecting of information on cases in the form of statistics, records, and other documentation, as well as by interviews of complainants, employers, and witnesses
• 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.
• Requires ability to speak and write in Spanish at a colloquial skill level in carrying out position duties in conjunction with non-English speaking individuals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least (1) year experience collecting and analyzing testimony and/or records and applying rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures to make a written recommendation.  
• Prefers at least one (1) year experience managing multiple projects with varying deadlines. 
• Prefers at least one (1) year experience writing professional documents or extensive reports for presentation at an executive or equivalent level.
• Prefers at least one (1) year experience communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse groups of people, including members of the general public, management, colleagues, and/or legal or government representatives. 

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.