Director - Office of Human Rights

Open: March 8, 2024

Close:  Open until filled

Director - Office of Human Rights

Executive Service Grade 4: $141,640 to $212,147

BACKGROUND:

The District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) was established to eradicate discrimination, increase equal opportunity and protect human rights for persons who live in or visit the District of Columbia. The agency enforces local and federal human rights laws, including the DC Human Rights Act, by providing a legal process to those who believe they have been discriminated against. OHR proactively enforces human rights in the District through Director’s Inquiries, which allow it to identify and investigate practices and policies that may be discriminatory. In addition, the agency  oversees implementation of the Language Access Programs and Citywide Youth Bully Prevention Program.  To learn more about OHR, please visit here.

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet, and works under the broad general direction and guidance of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice. The ultimate guidance and direction to the incumbent is provided by statutory law. The District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977 at D.C. Code Section 2-1401 (2008); District of Columbia Family and Medical Leave Act of 1990 at D.C. Code Section 32-501 (2008 Ed.); Parental Leave Act at D.C. Code Section 32-1201 (2008); District of Columbia Language Access Act of 2004 at D.C. Code Section 2-1931 (2008) and Affirmative Action in District Government Employment at D.C. Code Section 1-521 (2008) are local laws that were enacted to eradicate discrimination within the District of Columbia. Mayor's Orders and Memoranda, Title 4 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (2003) and the Work sharing Agreement between the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights and the U.S. Equal Employment Oppormnity Commission Washington Field Office provide procedural policy and regulations. Together these laws and policies provide the authority by which the incumbent is to enforce the nondiscriminatory provisions and carry out the mission of the position.
 

In addition to the local laws, the incumbent receives guidance and direction from certain federal laws. The Office of Human Rights, as a fair employment practice agency (FEPA) and a fair housing assistance program agency (FHAP) has the authority to enforce the laws on nondiscrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Equal Employment Opportunity Act); Title VIll of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act); Americans with Disabilities Act; and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as Director ofthe Office of Human Rights.
• Exercises overall executive leadership direction and control of the Office.
• Coordinates the activities of the various organizational entities and is responsible for the organizational structure.
• Systematically identifies and eliminates discriminatory practices in private employment, housing and public accommodations in the District of Columbia.
• Enforces the EEO regulations and Affirmative Action Plan of the D.C Government in accordance with appropriate Commission Orders.
• Issues such orders, regulations or guidelines, including a District-wide action plan, as are appropriate to ensure the effectiveness of the program. Reviews and evaluates District Government and departmental equal employment opportunity program operations on a quarterly and annual basis.
• Reports to the Mayor-Commission as appropriate on the progress on equal employment matters in the District Government.
• Directs the monitoring of all D.C. Government contracts to ensure that contractors' employment practices are in accord with the equal employment law and that minority contractors are afforded an opportunity to receive such contracts.
• Plans, organizes, directs and controls through an Associate Director, the Office of Administrator, which provides multiple support services to the Department.
• Issues appropriate orders, regulations or guidelines as deemed necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the EEO program. Reviews and evaluates D.C. Government and departmental equal employment opportunity program operations on a quarterly and annual basis. Reports to the Mayor as appropriate on the progress of equal opportunity matters in the District of Columbia.
• Plans. organizes, directs, and controls through supervisors, attorneys and judges, which drives the daily operation of the Office.

REQUIRED BACKGROUND AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Must an attorney in in good standing, DC barred or eligible to be waived.     Please note, this experience is mandatory; applicants who are not currently barred attorneys will be eliminated.
• Must have director professional experience and knowledge and understanding of the human rights law.
• Strong knowledge of the mission, goals, objectives and operating principles and requirements of the Office of Human Rights as it relates to the development and implementation of systematic and coordinated efforts to remove the barriers of discrimination, exclusionary practices, and lack of economic opportunity for District citizens and communities.
• Mastery of knowledge and understanding of existing legislation governing OHR functions and interpret and apply such to ensure compliance city-wide; and to assess the impact of new or modified legislation on agency programs and resources.
• Mastery of knowledge of and skill in the application of analytical and evaluative theories, concepts, procedures, methods, standards, and practices as needed; to assess program operations, effectiveness and improvement needs.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills sufficient to prepare and present information and proposals to management officials, developers, property managers, tenants, community groups and other interested parties and the general public involving complex, confroversial, or sensitive issues conversion issues and processes, in plain spoken terms.

DOMICILE REQUIREMENT:

There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted and Executive Service either: (1) be domiciled in the District of Columbia at the time of appointment; or (2) establish District domicile within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.  The law also requires that Excepted and Executive Service employees maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment.  Failure to maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

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