This is advanced professional work in assuring equal employment opportunity through a county-wide program of affirmative action.

Employees in this class are responsible for performing a variety of difficult and complex assignments in various phases of an affirmative action program to assure equal employment opportunity for minorities, women and the physically handicapped. Emphasis of the work is on the investigation and resolution of alleged affirmative action complaints, assisting departmental personnel in formulating affirmative action plans, reviewing department plans, and assuring that private contractors working on county projects and operating with federal funds are in compliance with affirmative action employment practices and federal labor standards. Work requires the establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with a variety of public and private officials and organizations. Incumbents may be assigned to serve as specialists for groups of departments and exercise considerable judgment in the application of local and federal laws, rules and regulations to a variety of affirmative action functions, and in dealing tactfully and persuasively with officials of government agencies, departments and private enterprises. General supervision is received from a professional or administrative superior who reviews recommendations and reports and evaluates completed work for quality of results in the application of affirmative action guidelines.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Receives a variety of alleged complaints from individual employees relating to violations of equal employment opportunity guidelines; interviews employees to determine the nature and validity of the complaint and whether the complaint is covered under affirmative action rules and regulations; explains established affirmative action laws and county grievance procedures; attempts to resolve affirmative action problems with departmental affirmative action officials.

Prepares correspondence to department directors and affirmative action personnel concerning complaints which are not resolved informally; investigates complaints by discussing pertinent information with departmental employees and supervisors, consulting established affirmative action regulations and examining related departmental records.

Prepares reports of complex and difficult investigations of affirmative action complaints, containing background information, statements of the complaint, analysis, conclusions and recommendations for appropriate action; explains results of investigations to employee concerned; attends arbitration committee meetings to present affirmative action investigation results of cases to which assigned, as required.

Meets with departmental officials to explain county affirmative action guidelines and assist in developing affirmative action plans; reviews and evaluates completed affirmative action plans for content, programmatic updates, statistical summaries, goals and timetables for progress in meeting affirmative action guidelines; makes recommendations concerning the quality of departmental plans.

Insures that private contractors working on county projects and operating with federal funds are in compliance with affirmative action employment practices and federal labor standards; attends pre-award reviews to determine if contractors have acceptable affirmative action plans and to provide information on the availability of minority business enterprises as potential subcontractors; explains affirmative action requirements to prime and subcontractors in pre-construction conferences; develops equal opportunity specifications for bid documents, contract agreements and other related documents.

Negotiates with contractors to reconcile and mediate complaints and obtain agreements with contractors to take steps within agreed upon time periods to meet equal employment opportunity guidelines; makes recommendations concerning contractors' non-compliance to appropriate superiors.

Reviews, performs calculations and analyzes statistical information pertaining to employees as it relates to affirmative action activities to determine deficiencies and trends and provide assistance to departments, and the general public, and for use in special projects.

Attends meetings and conferences to provide training to officials of departments, municipalities and other government organizations concerning affirmative action programs, plans and legislative developments; attends workshops and seminars on affirmative action and equal employment opportunity.

Refers handicapped persons to various governmental and private agencies to determine the need for assistance and eligibility for the various community services available to the handicapped; attends speaking engagements and provides information on the benefits of employing handicapped individuals and stimulates the interest and enthusiasm of community leaders, government officials and private organizations in handicap concerns.

Serves as a member of various committees functioning in a liaison capacity with government agencies, chambers of commerce and private business organizations; serves as a speaker for various business, civic and fraternal groups.

Keeps informed on developments in federal and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action; explains elements of pertinent regulations to employees, departmental officials and the general public.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of established local and federal laws, rules, regulations and ordinances pertaining to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

Thorough knowledge of the goals and objectives of the County's affirmative action program.

Considerable knowledge of appropriate techniques in maintaining effective contacts with various employers and public and private organizations.

Considerable knowledge of research techniques and the sources and availability of current information.

Knowledge of office equipment, practices and procedures.

Knowledge of public relations principles and public speaking techniques.

Knowledge of modern developments, current literature and other sources of information in the field of affirmative action and equal employment opportunity.

Ability to monitor affirmative action plans for compliance with established local and Federal rules, regulations and ordinances.

Ability to analyze affirmative action complaints and problems and make sound recommendations for their resolution.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, departmental officials, representatives of private businesses, union officials and the general public.

Ability to exercise discretion and judgment in interpreting and applying affirmative action rules and regulations to a variety of affirmative action activities.

Ability to express ideas and information clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.

Ability to train employees in the area of assignment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree. Two years of administrative or professional experience in affirmative action, personnel administration, equal employment, training development or related field are required.

NEW 10/99