HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST V - (CIVIL RIGHTS)

Join the State of Hawai'i and support civil rights compliance across the Department of Human Services. This onsite Human Resources role focuses on advising teams, strengthening equal opportunity practices, and serving as a technical expert for federal and state civil rights requirements governing EEO, equal access to services, and affirmative action (AA).

Why this role is a good fit

• Purpose-driven civil rights work as a department subject matter expert and liaison to federal, state, and public entities.
• Technical advisory impact across the department, including guidance on sensitive and complex issues.
• Public service support through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for qualifying individuals after 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer.
• Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities, in line with federal and state disability laws.

Key responsibilities

• Provide department-wide technical assistance and advisory services to ensure compliance with all federal and state civil rights requirements related to EEO, equal access to services, and AA.
• Act as the department’s subject matter expert on civil rights, advising personnel and clientele on EEO, AA, and equal opportunity for services requirements.
• Manage the AA program to support legal compliance.
• Serve as the department liaison to federal, state, and public entities on civil rights matters.
• Provide technical advice on sensitive and complex issues.
• Conduct objective and thorough discrimination investigations.
• Prepare clear and concise investigative reports.
• Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

Minimum qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state civil rights laws, regulations, and compliance requirements, including equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination laws.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of affirmative action and civil rights program administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of investigative principles and techniques as applied to discrimination complaints.
• Ability to interpret and apply civil rights laws and regulations.
• Ability to analyze evidence and make sound determinations.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding investigations, including interviewing complainants, respondents, and witnesses; gathering, reviewing, and analyzing evidence; applying civil rights laws and guidelines to determine findings; and preparing investigative reports or recommendations.
• Ability to provide technical advice on sensitive and complex issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States (citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States).
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university.
• Three and one-half years of professional work experience in one or any combination of human resources management functions, such as recruitment, placement, examination, position classification, pay or wage administration, employee management relations and services, employee development, human resources program development and services, labor relations, and human resources research.
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to deal satisfactorily with fellow workers and/or operating personnel, recognize problems in human resources program operations, suggest practical solutions, and accept responsibility in human resources administration.
• Non-qualifying experience: clerical or technical experience limited to application of human resources rules, regulations, and procedures in support of HR functions is not qualifying.
• Possession of the required number of years of experience will not, by itself, be accepted as proof of qualification; overall experience must conclusively demonstrate ability to perform the duties.
• Selective Certification: Civil Rights Experience requires that of the required years of human resources management work experience, at least one (1) year is investigatory experience involving the investigation of complaints and application of federal and/or state civil rights laws and regulations, including conducting fact-finding investigations and preparing investigative reports or recommendations.
• Supervisory aptitude rather than actual supervisory experience may be accepted with strong affirmative evidence of necessary supervisory abilities and/or potential.
• Relevant substitutions as described in the Minimum Qualification Requirements will apply.

Role details

• Location: O'ahu, HI (onsite)
• Salary: USD 6,221 to 7,568 per month
• Recruitment number: 26-0329
• Open until: the posting will remain open until 25 applications are received
• Application timing: please apply immediately as the recruitment may close at any time

Accessibility and application notifications

• The State of Hawai'i provides reasonable accommodation in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process. For assistance, call 808-587-1111.
• HRD may use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of applications.
• Applicants should ensure their email address and contact information are current and accessible, and monitor their inboxes promptly.
• If Job Application Emails is disabled in Account Settings, applicants may no longer receive notification about submitted applications.

Testing and interview information

• Examination may be conducted on an unassembled basis, with scores based on an evaluation and rating of education and experience.
• Employment application must provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position held.
• In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency, and referred applicants must be available to participate in person and at their own expense if required.