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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-08-1994-X-B 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. Y-$ ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 8, 1994 SUBJECT: Report - Civil Rights Specialist Position ------------------------------------------------------------ DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No Human Relations Commission ------------------------------------------------------------ ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucy Lewis, ext 2251 TELEPHONE NUMBER: Hillsborough - 732-8181 Chapel Hill - 968-4501 Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 ------------------------------------------------------------- PURPOSE: To provide information about the proposed duties of the Civil Rights Specialist Position in enforcing the civil rights ordinance. BACKGROUND: On June 6, 1994, the Board of Commissioners passed the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance. There will have to be paid staff and an administrative structure to support the Civil Rights Ordinance. Both the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) will not contract with a local agency unless they are satisfied that it has the capacity to provide substantially equivalent services to those provided by federal or state agencies. During the period prior to interim certification from HUD and EEOC, these agencies will expect the county to set up an administrative structure and staff capable of receiving, investigating, and seeking to negotiate or conciliate complaints. The primary purpose of a Civil Rights Specialist position is to perform professional work in the intake, investigation and conciliation of discrimination complaints in housing, public accommodations, and bias-related incidents (Phase I -due to take effect on Jan. 1, 1995) and employment (Phase II-due to take effect on Jan. 1, 1996) . The employee will also present factual information regarding the civil rights ordinance in presentations, workshops, and conferences; provide technical assistance to individuals and businesses related to fair employment, housing, and public accommodations practices; and assist in the preparation of informational materials. Major duties include intake, investigation, and conciliation 2 of discrimination complaints. Responsibilities include: 1. Conducts initial complaint counselling and assessment. Applies relevant laws and procedures to determine whether the charge meets jurisdictional and prima facie requirements. Makes referral to other agency if warranted. Drafts discrimination charge. Explains equal opportunity and civil rights ordinance procedures to the complainant. 2 . Conducts investigations of discrimination charges. Interprets and applies civil rights ordinance, HUD and EEOC regulations and guidelines. 3. Develops investigative plans. Plans and schedules investigative activities. Identifies and obtains relevant documents and testimony. 4. Conducts on-site investigations when necessary. Interviews witnesses and complainants; prepares related reports and correspondence. 5 . Negotiates and conciliates discrimination cases. Develops and negotiates remedies in compliance with the civil rights ordinance, HUD and EEOC laws and standards. Monitors compliance with settlement/conciliation agreements. 6 . Assists as needed in preparation for administrative hearings. 7. Presents information about the civil rights ordinance for presentations, workshops, and conferences. 8. Develops informational materials, brochures, posters . This position, coupled with a full-time Commission for Women/Human Relations Director and a 30-hour week Administrative Assistant II to support both the Commission for Women and the Human Relations Commission, provides a staffing level that is significantly smaller than other N.C. Human Relations Commission with enforcement powers. At the same time, Orange County' s ordinance has the broadest scope of any local N.C. civil rights ordinance, with enforcement authority encompassing employment, housing, public accommo- dations, and bias-related incidents. The proposed adminis- trative structure will also encompass Commission for Women functions. Finally, it is anticipated that if this admin- istrative structure is approved, the HRC will no longer receive staff support from the Deputy Clerk to the Commis- sioners, who has provided an estimated 12-20 hours a month of staff support. With the approval of the proposed duties and responsibilities recruitment for the civil rights specialist position will begin. The employment posting will be sent to all recruit- ment sources specified in the Orange County Affirmative Action plan, in addition to newspapers. The selection panel will include members from the Human Relations Commission, the Commission for Women and county staff. RECOMMENDATION(S) : The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proposed duties and responsibilities as described.