Benefits Statement

State of Illinois employees enjoy a robust benefit package, including:

• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance

• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years

• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)

• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (sick days carry over from year to year)

• 10 Weeks Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave

• 3 Paid Personal Days annually

• Pension Plan

• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)

• Flexible work schedules may be available, dependent upon position

• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) is seeking highly motivated and organized individuals to assist the IDHR with conducting in-depth, neutral investigations into allegations of discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act. A Human Rights Investigator’s day-to-day work involves interviewing complainants, ascertaining jurisdiction, interviewing parties to the charge of discrimination including witnesses, issuing requests for information, and extensive reading and analysis of documentation obtained. Human Rights Investigators complete investigations by writing a comprehensive report that contains an extensive analysis of evidence presented through witness statements and document submissions and applies the law to the facts consistent with IDHR operating procedures.

Individuals successful in the role are consistent and expedient in managing and processing their investigative caseload to completion according to IDHR productivity standards. Individuals working in this role must be organized, be able to work independently and be self-motivated to write multi-page detailed reports. Investigators have a demonstrated ability to read and analyze a large quantity of information while applying law and the Department’s operating procedures, and plan next steps for the investigation as necessary.

Essential Functions

• Participates in a Department sponsored trainee program, Fair Housing Division, for a period of six to eighteen months receiving training in discrimination charge intake duties and responsibilities.
• Receives training on the proper collection of information, testimony, and records on housing discrimination cases by letter, phone, internet or in person through interviews, fact-finding conferences, verbal and written information requests and other documentation provided by parties to the charge of discrimination.
• Receives training in the methods of case analysis with the objective to make recommended decisions; receives training to prepare reports on cases for administrative review.
• Assists higher level human rights investigator to collect information on cases in the form of statistics, records, and other documentation, as well as, by interviews of complainants, employers, and witnesses; assist staff to conduct informal fact-finding conferences including both parties to a case.
• Receives training on systemic discrimination cases involving a pattern, practice, or policy where the alleged discrimination has a broad impact on an industry, profession, company, or geographic area, as it relates to fair housing issues and concerns.
• Performs other duties as assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college preferably with coursework in business, public, or personnel administration or social sciences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers working knowledge of human rights issues and the Illinois Human Rights Act.
• Prefers two years’ experience collecting and analyzing complex information and data to write a detailed legal analytical report.
• Prefers two years’ experience applying laws, rules and/or procedures to write a detailed legal analytical report.
• Two years of professional experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Word, or the equivalent.

Conditions of Employment

Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Illinois Department of Human Rights

The Illinois Department of Human Rights ("IDHR") is a state agency charged with the enforcement of the Illinois Human Rights Act ("Act"). The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, real estate transactions, financial credit, and public accommodations (including education). IDHR protects and guarantees the rights of all Illinoisans to be free from unlawful discrimination by receiving and investigating, conducting neutral investigations of claims of unlawful discrimination. Moreover, the Act prohibits retaliation against a person who has opposed that which is reasonably and in good faith believed to be unlawful discrimination; prohibits the aiding, abetting, compelling or coercion of a person to commit a violation of the Act; and prohibits the willful interference with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Department or one of its officers or employees. At the forefront of protecting civil rights, IDHR welcomes all candidates for employment to apply for any position for which they are qualified. Join IDHR in its mission to secure an Illinois free from discrimination.