TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 1483100

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Equal Opportunity Specialists coordinate the implementation of diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity activities at agencies; and evaluate the effectiveness of such programs and develop and institute corrective actions. They also investigate and resolve discrimination complaints; and make determinations on requests for reasonable accommodations consistent with State and federal laws.  

Positions in this series are found in various State agencies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

          EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 1: full performance level; participates in the implementation of diversity and equal opportunity initiatives. Reviews requests for reasonable and religious accommodations.  Performs researchs; and plans and delivers programming and training. 

          EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 2:  advanced performance or supervisory level; coordinates the diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity program for a small or medium agency or oversees a major function in a large agency. 

          EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 3:  supervisory level; coordinates the diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity activities for a medium or large agency; or serves as an overall assistant to an Equal Opportunity Specialist 4 or other program head in a largest agency.

          EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 4:  supervisory level; coordinates the diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity functions in the largest agencies with responsibility for multiple professional employees.

RELATED CLASSES

Minority Business Specialists develop and direct programs that encourage, facilitate, and monitor the participation of minority- and women‑owned businesses in providing goods and services for publicly funded projects, programs, and agencies.

Compliance Specialists inspect job sites and monitor employer records to determine the compliance of contractors, consultants, unions, and other organizations receiving public funds for goods and services with rules, regulations, and statutes regarding the employment of underrepresented classes.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 1 AND 2

·       Coordinate the implementation of diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity initiatives.

·       Articulate agency goals and objectives to agency executives; and advise agency management on diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity matters.

·       Analyze data and produce reports related to agency diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity programs.

·       Train agency employees on equal opportunity issues related to employment, and provision of services.

·       Rreview personnel actions such as hiring, promotion, and termination to ensure fairness and equity.

·       Participate in examination planning and candidate sourcing meetings to make sure that equal opportunity is considered in agency selection process.

·       Make determinations on requests from clients and employees for reasonable and religious accommodations pursuant to federal and State laws.

·       Investigate employee discrimination complaints and issue findings (this task applies to positions whose agencies’ handle their own employee discrimination complaints).

·       Investigate discrimination complaints in the provision of services from agency clients and make recommendations to management.

·       Develop relevant programming to enhance employees’ cultural awareness.

·       Represent the agency at events on diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity.

·       Meet with advocacy groups to exchange information on agency equal opportunity policies, procedures, and practices.

·       May supervise staff.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 3 AND 4

Equal Opportunity Specialists 3 and 4 supervise a team of lower level professionals and perform the most sensitive and difficult diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity activities. They also:

·       Plan work schedules, projects, and reviews; and assign and train staff.

·       Interview and select employees for appointment.

·       Evaluate staff performance; determine training needs; and advise individuals about per­formance standards and how to meet them.

·       Review work activities and reports; and assist staff in resolving problems.

·       Interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies for staff and ensure that staff complies with them.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 1

Six years of experience* in equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, or human rights.

          EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 2

1.     Seven years of the experience* described for Equal Opportunity Specialist 1.  Or

2.     One year of State service in an equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, minority business, employment compliance, human resources, or training position allocated at or above Grade 18.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 3

1.     Eight years of the experience* described for Equal Opportunity Specialist 1. At least one year of the experience must have been at a supervisory level.

OR

2.     One year of State service in an equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, minority business, employment compliance, human resources, or training position allocated at or above Grade 23.

.        

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 4

1.     Nine years of the experience* described for Equal Opportunity Specialist 1. At least two years of the experience must have been at a supervisory level.

OR

2.     One year of State service in an equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, minority business, employment compliance, human resources, or training position allocated at or above Grade 23.

*Qualifying experience includes working with organizations concerned with equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, civil rights, minority business development, or similar programs; or in recruiting, training, and upgrading the educational and job qualifications of protected class members.

Substitutions: Associate’s degree may substitute for two years of the non-supervisory experience; bachelor’s degree for four years; and J.D. or master’s degree for five years.

Date: 1/19

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.