Human Rights Officer

Job Description:

Human Rights Officer

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public or Business Administration, Public Policy, Education, Human Rights, or other related field, plus seven (7) years of experience in areas of government, community, or educational programs related to equity and human rights, including four (4) years of experience which were in a managerial capacity.

• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-managerial experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Notes to Applicants

To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for this position, please click here.
To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.
• Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
• Employment history dates must include month and year.
• This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by February 25, 2025. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
• This position is subject to the Texas Open Records Act.

If you are selected as a top candidate:
Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
Pay Range

Commensurate
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
*Hours may vary depending upon business needs
Job Close Date Type of Posting External Department Management Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 Preferred Qualifications
The next Human Rights Officer will be a collaborative leader and have demonstrated experience with human rights compliance, enforcement, and investigation processes within an organization or institution. The successful candidate will have experience working in complex environments, a track record of innovative leadership, and a deep understanding of human rights.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

Community Collaborator - Experience in presenting complex information strategies to public stakeholders, management, City Manager’s Office, Boards and Commissions, and City Council.

Communicates Effectively - Ability to work with diverse communities and populations to build constructive and effective relationships and convey and receive information.

Exceptional Leadership - A cohesive leader with the ability to build quality interpersonal relationships throughout the City with diverse communities and populations.

Thinks Critically and Strategically - Enables others to better understand and implement the vision and strategy, while being an aligned forward thinker and can formulate and communicate sound business strategy and implement in a clear and concise manner.

Customer Focused - Strives to deliver high-quality results and superior service that exceeds expectations while remaining mindful of the needs and perspectives of both our internal and external stakeholders.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Provides leadership to complex operations and City-wide assistance to departments in identifying and addressing current policies, practices, and programs that impact human rights to ensure equitable community engagement practices; develops outcomes, metrics, and goals to ensure accountability in the equitable delivery of City services. Is responsible for implementing ordinances adopted by Austin City Council in support of human rights to include immigrants, refugees, and veterans. Works with the community by ensuring support for Veterans, persons with disabilities, immigrants, and refugees. Manages and facilitates the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) Title II Complaint or Grievance Process and collaborates with departments, community, and residents to ensure compliance; oversees and manages support for veterans’ concerns. Collects, analyzes, and presents data measuring the City’s progress in incorporating ADA compliance throughout the organization. Oversees division budget. Establishes priorities for service delivery through procedures and strategies to accomplish timely and effective use of available services; reviews monthly management reports to provide budgetary recommendations, inform strategic decisions, and address significant variances to resolve budget issues. Directs staff within the division, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and other personnel actions to ensure productivity and maintain quality standards. Advances human rights efforts by prioritizing and implementing initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders across the City, identifying core priorities for program development and process improvement. Develops outcomes, metrics, and goals that establish accountability towards equitable and inclusive delivery of City services. Oversees other human rights-related ordinances as provided by law in collaboration with the Law Department; supports departmental efforts to ensure compliance with federal language access regulations. Assists in developing municipal responses to human rights related efforts using a human-centered approach. Prepares policy position papers for review. Represents the City as assigned at local, state, and national organizations and professional activities to maintain the City as a leader in human rights. Supports City Boards and Commissions.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Human Rights issues and concerns.
• Knowledge of equity and inclusion concepts and applying equity frameworks to established laws, ordinances, and long-standing practices.
• Knowledge of public policy development and analysis.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of City’s non-discrimination policies and related State and Federal laws.
• Knowledge of ADA and relevant Federal, State and Local laws.
• Skill in oral and written communications and preparing reports and documents in a logical and grammatically correct manner.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in data collection and analysis.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing budgets, reports, and studies.
• Ability to apply concepts, trends, and current issues related to human rights issues.
• Ability to strategically apply analytic and problem-solving skills to develop sound decisions, conclusions, and recommendations while navigating sensitive political environments.
• Ability to manage diversity, understand inclusion, and work with diverse communities to advance equity.
• Ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with City officials, business leaders, financial institutions, developers, residents, and City departments and employees.
• Ability to plan and lead projects that require interfaces with multiple stakeholders and differing levels of management and the application of data equity principles and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and community programs.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Human Rights Officer are: Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public or Business Administration, Public Policy, Education, Human Rights, or other related field, plus seven (7) years of experience in areas of government, community, or educational programs related to equity and human rights, including four (4) years of experience which were in a managerial capacity. Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-managerial experience up to a maximum of two (2) years. Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents