EEO Investigator/Counselor

Job DescriptionSummary:
EEO Investigator - will ensure that discrimination complaints within federal agencies are investigated fairly, promptly, thoroughly, and in strict compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations. The EEO Investigator may be assigned to cases within multiple federal agencies. Investigations are typically done remotely/virtually. This is a 1099 independent contractor position.
EEO Counselor - provide Counseling to individual agency employees, applicants for employment, and contractor support staff who believe they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy), age, physical or mental disability, retaliation/reprisal, parental status, and protected genetic information.
Duties/Responsibilities:
EEO Investigator:

• Analyze assigned claim(s) and facts, apply relevant laws and regulations and write Investigative Plans which include witness to be interviewed, questions that will be asked and documents that will be requested to complete a thorough and objective investigation
• Coordinate scheduling of witnesses and obtaining relevant documents
• Obtain sworn testimony and interrogatories of witnesses and other parties relevant to the investigation
• Prepare affidavits and obtain signatures on all affidavits
• Collect documents ensuring all relevant supporting documents are received, reviewed, and included in the final report of investigation
• Identify and request evidence and statistical data from all relevant sources; ensure sufficient information relevant to issues in a complaint is included
• Compile investigative files
• Remain objective throughout the EEO investigation process; express no opinion to individuals involved in the investigative process, to include the complainant(s) as to whether prohibited discrimination has occurred
• Write Reports of Investigation ensuring content and format are in accordance with EEOC-MD 110 and agency specific requirements.
• Maintain effective time management of case activity to adhere to strict, mandated and sometimes short deadlines
• Submit case status reports
• May perform Final Agency Decisions (FAD), Counseling and/or Mediation (if certified)
• Conduct other duties as necessary to comply with contract terms, EEO policy and CES processes and policies

EEO Counselor:

• Schedule initial counseling session and inform their right to reasonable accommodations.
• Advise individuals of their rights and responsibilities in the Federal sector EEO complaint process, in accordance with 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105(b).
• Inform individuals that they can participate in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program or Traditional EEO Counseling. The counselor will fully explain the Agency’s ADR Program. The counselor will provide, in writing, the requirements for initiating a formal EEO complaint, if the dispute is not resolved through counseling or ADR.
• Identify and articulate each claim (alleged injury to aggrieved) without fragmentation, basis(es)of each claim, alleged discriminating individuals, and applicable legal theory(ies) being raised in the pre-compliant.
• Conduct thorough inquiry and gather documentation necessary to make reasoned jurisdictional determination under 29 C.F.R. § 1614.107
• Document successful resolutions, or provide aggrieved individuals written Notice of Right to File a formal complaint (NRTF) within the applicable 30–90 day timeframe as prescribed by 29 C.F.R. §1614.105(d)-(e).
• Provide the Counselor’s Report to the aggrieved individual together with the issuance of the NRTF.
• Obtain the aggrieved individual's written agreement of the claims and basis(es) as framed.
• Meet all regulatory timeframes outlined in 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 of EEOC’s regulations.

Required qualifications/skills:

• Bachelor’s degree, in related field or relevant combination of education and experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience conducting federal EEO Investigations and/or Counseling demonstrating knowledge in applying and interpreting laws, regulations, and rules related to employment relations, civil rights compliance, discrimination, and/or equal opportunity.
• Interpersonal communication skills
• EEO Certification: Must satisfy the mandatory training requirements set forth by EEOC (EEOC MD-110).
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing reports of investigation and summaries with attention to detail and the ability to conduct an objective and complex analysis of facts as applied to specific policy standards, laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise professional and objective judgment on sensitive and confidential matters
• Proficient using office automation equipment and software to include Adobe, Microsoft Word and Excel, and email

Mandatory EEOC Certification Requirements which must be met:

• EEOC requires that new EEO Investigators receive a minimum of 32 hours of EEO Investigator and/or Counselor training prior to assuming counseling duties.
• All Investigators are required to receive at least eight hours of continuing EEO Investigator/Counselor training every year to keep EEO Investigators informed of developments in EEO practice, law, and guidance, as well as to enhance and develop Counseling skills.

Preferred qualifications/skills:

• Legal Degree or Paralegal experience

Office Equipment required:

• Locking cabinet and/or desk for storing documents and electronic media
• Computer/Laptop with broadband internet connection (A secure Wi-Fi connection is acceptable)
• Printer/Scanner combination machine
• Phone (land line or cell phone)

Physical Requirements:

• May require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Other:

• This is an independent contractor position. Independent Contractors can work remotely from any location in the country.
• Travel is not typically required, but may be assigned as necessary and will be reimbursable according to GSA guidelines
• Will be asked to provide a writing sample relevant to EEO Investigations.