Job Description
Minimum Qualifications
Eight years of experience* in equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, or human rights. At least one year of the experience must have been at a supervisor level;
OR
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: 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.
Substitution: 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.
Duties Description
The Equal Opportunity Specialist 3, M-1 (EOS3) will be the designated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The incumbent of this position will report to the Chief Diversity Officer, NS, in the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Review the ADA statute and regulations and become familiar with the ADA and related disability rights laws, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the New York State Human Rights Law.
• Oversee compliance with mandate of Executive Order No. 187, federal and state provisions for Equal Employment Opportunity, Civil Rights, Human Rights and other legal provisions.
• Coordinate a comprehensive review of all OPRHP policies and procedures governing Agency programs, activities, and services pertaining to ADA.
• Assist the Chief Diversity Officer with the coordination and implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion-related program initiatives, and directly coordinating and implementing accessibility-related program initiatives.
• Oversee and/or directly engage in the review of current policies, procedures, and practices to ensure agency compliance with Federal and State equal employment laws and guidelines.
• Supervise lower-level Equal Opportunity Specialists, clerical and seasonal staff, as necessary.
• Coordinate compliance with mandate of Executive Order 31 and oversees the implementation of related strategic plan.
• Develop and facilitates related DEIA trainings
• Assist the Capital Bureau’s Code Compliance Director, as requested, in reviewing Five-Year plans for all new OPRHP facilities and buildings to ensure they incorporate accessibility considerations and requirements.
• In consultation with the agency Code Compliance Director, assist Regional Directors and Facility Managers in planning accessibility improvements for OPRHP’s programs, activities, and services, when considering the removal of structural barriers to provide alternate methods of access.
• Assist Code Compliance Director in determining alternative methods of access to historic properties when new construction or alterations on such properties cannot remove structural barriers because removal would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the property.
• Communicate regularly with Executive staff and key staff members, including Regional Directors, Deputy Commissioners, and Bureau Directors, regarding changes to disability laws, regulations, and policies, including any statewide policies and procedures.
• Develop and update, as needed, a procedure for investigating and resolving accessibility-related grievances and complaints.
• Review, investigate, and resolve any ADA-related grievances and complaints pursuant to the published Grievance Procedure, forwarding all discrimination complaints to the Office of Employee Relations’ Anti-Discrimination Investigation Division.
• Develop and update, as needed, the ADA-required notice providing information about the Agency’s ADA-related responsibilities.
• Review and resolve any request for auxiliary aids and services from members of the public with disabilities.
• Review OPRHP’s public-facing website for accessibility and to ensure that it is current with information regarding any of the Agency’s governance, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee OPRHP’s Reasonable Accommodation policy and procedures, ensuring consistent application of the Americans with Disabilities Act Title I, the New York State Human Rights Law, and of “Equal Employment Opportunity in New York State-Rights and Responsibilities, A Handbook for Employees of New York State Agencies”.
• Oversee and/or directly engage in development of relevant programming and training of agency employees on DEIA topics related to employment, provision of services, and public programs.
• Represent the agency at events regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or accessibility.
• Meet with advocacy groups to exchange information on the Agency’s equal opportunity and accessibility policies, procedures, and practices.
Additional Comments
OPERATING NEEDS:
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Statewide travel will be required in this position up to 25% of the time.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Closing Date/Time: 10/22/24