Introduction
The Department of Assessments and Taxation, Office of Administrative Services & Fair Practices Programs located in Baltimore, Maryland, is currently accepting applications for an Administrator III, Equal Employment Opportunity Manager.
Reporting to the Department’s Fair Practices Officer, the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Manager shall assist in investigating complaints alleging discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and bullying; monitoring all personnel actions adopted by the department, reviewing and approving hiring panels, interview questions, and candidate recommendations for the department; reviewing requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and performing other duties as assigned by the Fair Practices Officer or as needed under Title 5 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article
GRADE
18
LOCATION OF POSITION
Department of Assessments and Taxation
Office of Administrative Services and Fair Practice Programs
300 W. Preston Street, 5th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Main Purpose of Job
This position manages the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) /Affirmative Action (AA), Employee Assistance (EAP) and American with Disabilities Act Programs (ADA) for the State Department Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Located within the Office of Administrative Services and Fair Practices Programs, this position has responsibilities for ensuring agency compliance with the Annotated Code of Maryland State Personnel and Pensions Article (SPP) § 2-302 and § 5-207, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, monitoring SDAT Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program, EAP, ADA, Diversity programs, and the Governor’s Executive Order 01.01.2007.16 Code of Fair Employee Practices.
POSITION DUTIES
Establishes program goals, standards, guidelines, and controls to meet EEO, ADA, MBE, and other program objectives. Ensures that all regulations and procedures pertaining to the State’s Code of Fair
Employment Practices are followed by managers, supervisors and employees. Identifies Fair Practices issues and concerns of management/employees that are either in violation of or eliminate possible violations of COMAR Title 17, Subtitle 04, SPP § 5-302 and the Collective Bargaining Memorandum of Understanding (MOU); Makes
recommendations to executive staff, managers and supervisors on issues concerning EEO/AA.
Investigate Internal and External EEO Complaints As required, investigates complaints of alleged violations of the
Governor’s Executive Order 01.01.2007.16 Code of Fair Employment Practices Policy, SPP § 2-302 and 5-207, Code of Maryland Regulations Title 17 and the MOU. Prepare investigative plan detailing pertinent information and course of action; Conduct preliminary investigation and fact finding; Identify the appropriate law violated; Contact complainant and explain the process; Schedule appointments for interviews of complainant and all witnesses; Gather and analyze all supporting documentation; Analyze case to offer mediation; Complete investigation; Determine a conclusion in the case; Recommend course of action for the outcome of the case (recommend disciplinary action or other sanctions in probable cause finding); Prepare Written Findings for the Fair Practices Officer and the Director (Secretary) of Agency; Maintain confidential investigative files.
Investigates Whistle blower complaints and External Complaints filed with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR).
Respond in writing to the Department of Budget and Management Office of the State wide EEO Coordinator within 20 days; Prepare the Agency ‘s position statement for External complaints from the Federal EEO office. Notify Employee inwriting of the outcome of the case and appeal rights where necessary. Serve as expert witness and testify for management on EEO matters at the Office of Administrative Hearings or court system.
Monitor the agency’s Recruitment and Selection process.
Reviews Position selection Plan and approves or disapproves interview and selection activities for skilled and professional service positions. Monitor candidate selection process and approves or disapproves the selection if it is not in compliance with EEO policy, regulations, laws or the Affirmative Action Program. Notify SDAT Office Human Resources and the hiring manager of approvals and disapprovals. Sign off approval on appointment certification forms after the appointing authority’s signature. Reviews and approves all pre-selection documentation packages prior to interview process; Reviews and approves all questions and answer rationale and makes suggestions for changes to ensure compliance with EEO laws and policy; Review interview panel members name, race and gender information to ensure a race and gender balance; Review scoring matrix the interview panel will use; Review current position description to ensure it meets requirements and agency standards;
Review and approves all post selection recruitment documentation which includes: A summary of the compilation of scores assessed for each question by each panel member, the scoring matrix used by each panel member and written documentation detaining the justification for selecting each candidate; Reviews Interview list for proper documentation of Sex, Race, and Clearance codes and it is signed off after it is signed by appointing authority; Review and approve or disapprove all Rule .02 reclassification requests; Ensure proper recruitment procedures were followed and sign off on request.
TRAINING
Regularly develops and administers training programs/modules for employees, supervisors and managers in all 24 locations of SDAT in the areas of EEO/ Affirmative Action – Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Title 20 of the State government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 5, Subtitle 2 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Annotated Code of MD., Code of Maryland Regulations – Title 17, Executive Order 01.01.2007.16 Maryland Code of Fair employment Practices, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended- ADA Compliance - Reasonable Accommodation, Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Diversity, Civility in the workplace, Domestic Violence in the Workplace, and Violence the Workplace.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program.
Review requests for reasonable accommodations; Review confidential medical documentation for disability/functional limitations; Review positions description for the essential functions of the position; Determine what steps to take to investigate the request including talking with employees supervisor or manager and visiting the employees work area; Comply with ADA guidelines to approve or disapprove the request; Notify employee in writing of approval or disapproval of requests and give appeal rights where necessary; Maintain confidential ADA files in EEO office in accordance with the Health Insurance Accountability and Portability Act of 1996. Coordinate request with Chesapeake Workers Insurance (formerly Injured Workers Insurance Fund).
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Coordinate all EAP referrals due to substance abuse, mental health, job performance, attendance, behavior and domestic violence with the Department of Budget and Management’s Employee Relations Division; Review Confidential EAP supervisory referral form for complete and accurate information; Review supporting documentation and forward to EAP; Notify employee of the EAP process, initial assessment appointment date and provider contact information; Follow-up on the outcome of the requests including type of counseling and/or treatment information with the supervisor and the EAP; Maintain confidential EAP files. Unless substance abuse is involved, the Department and the referring supervisor are not privy to counseling/treatment specifics. However, the supervisor may be asked to complete a Post-referral Employee Evaluation by the EAP coordinator.
EEO Reporting
As required by statue, prepare and submit annual EEO statistical information to the Office of the Statewide Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator for the State’s Equal Employment Opportunity Performance Report submitted to the Governor. The following data is prepared: Assignment of Responsibility; EEO Program Goals and Accomplishments; ADA Reasonable Accommodation Requests; Summary of External Discrimination Complaints; Summary of Internal Discriminatory Complaints; and Workforce Utilization Analysis. Other EEO Reports include Contractual Workforce Utilization; Summary of Interviews Conducted; and Training Activity Summary. Reviews the Department’s workforce diversity and Affirmative Action Plan on a case by-case basis.
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE)
This position also monitors the Department’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program. Monitors the procurement and structural procedures for the procurement of the Department’s commodities and services to ensure that minorities are participating in the procurement process as prime or sub-contractors.
Meets the Administrator within the Finance Administration to secure information. Oversees all departmental activities in explaining and interpreting departmental fair practices polices, rules and procedures, State regulations for minority participation and reporting on contracts (Code of Maryland Regulations State Procurement Title 21).
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
Coordinates the United Charity Campaign on behalf of the Department. Conduct mediation sessions between employees to resolve issues.
Distribute and post EEO statements and posters throughout the agency to encourage recruitment and to increase employee awareness.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience conducting EEO complaint investigations.
• Experience reviewing ADA accommodation requests and complaints.
• Experience preparing investigative reports and summaries.
• Knowledge of State and Federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws, regulations, and policies.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Strong familiarity with the principles and practices around diversity, equity, and inclusion in
the workplace.
• Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and/or laws and apply that framework in making recommendations to leaders and managers.
• Successful completion of EEO Officer training provided by the Department of Budget and Management, and/or one of the following EEOC Training Institute courses: EEO for Managers, EEO Training for New Counselors, EEO Training for New Investigators.
LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION
Must be willing to work in Baltimore city.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
BENEFITS
As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS:
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
• Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
• Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Assessments and Taxation, Office of Human Resources Division, 300 W. Preston St., Room 511, Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received by 5pm in our office on the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Department of Assessments and Taxation at 410-767-5898, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258. If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.