Investigator (Human Rights Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)

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Review Vacancy

Date Posted 08/25/26

Applications Due09/10/26

Vacancy ID222465

• Basics
• Schedule
• Location
• Job Specifics
• How to Apply

NY HELPYes

AgencyHuman Rights, Division of

TitleInvestigator (Human Rights Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)

Occupational CategoryNo Preference

Salary Grade19

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $70579 to $89645 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 0%

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

County Albany

Street Address 1 Park Place, Fl 2

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12205

Duties Description As a Human Rights Specialist 1 reporting to the Associate Deputy Commissioner for Intake, incumbent will oversee the activities in the Intake Unit, ensuring the Division serves only clear, complete, jurisdictional discrimination complaints timely.

The Intake Unit receives and triages information from the public about alleged discrimination as defined in the Human Rights Lawin areas that include, but are not limited to, employment, housing, public accommodation, and more, based on protected categories that include, but are not limited to, age, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, and more.

The incumbent will directly supervise three Legal Assistants, who are responsible for supervising 13 staff in the Intake Unit and help remove roadblocks to the timely completion of Intake activities. The Incumbent will ensure Intake Unit staff:

• Contact the complainant timely to clarify the reported information,
• Identify the proper legal name of respondents,
• Request and follow up on the timely receipt of evidence (e.g., documents,

photos, recordings) to support the alleged discrimination,

• Draft clear, concise complaints for the public's review and signature within 30

days,

• Ensure that incomplete, unclear, and/or non-jurisdictional matters do not

advance to investigation,

• Answer calls and respond to emails from parties to a discrimination case

timely, professionally, and accurately,

• Contemporaneously document all Intake activities accurately in the Division's case management system, and
• Serve signed complaints on respondents timely, and more.

The incumbent may also engage in any of the above activities.

The incumbent will also be responsible for addressing issues that require escalation, including, but not limited to, more complex cases of alleged discrimination and cases where the caller may become verbally abusive to other Intake Unit staff.

The incumbent will evaluate all recommendations from Legal Assistants to dismiss allegations that are duplicative, non-jurisdictional, or have not been properly clarified by the complainant, and confer with the Associate Deputy Commissioner for Intake for a final decision for dismissal.

The incumbent will also provide on-the-job coaching and training to Legal Assistants.

Minimum Qualifications *This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

Six years of experience in field investigation or law enforcement investigation and the preparation of detailed narrative reports; OR planning, developing, implementing, or enforcing a human rights, civil rights or housing and community development program, OR conducting discrimination or labor relations investigations, OR litigation, OR any combination of the above experience to equal seven years.

Substitution: an associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized

experience; bachelors degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience; masters degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience; J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for seven years of specialized experience.

The selected candidate will be tested for proficiency in Spanish and must pass at Level 3 proficiency to be considered for appointment.

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Additional Comments The New York State Division of Human Rights is a nation-leading civil rights enforcement agency tasked with combating hate, bias, and discrimination through the enforcement of the New York State Human Rights Law-one of the most expansive state-level civil rights laws anywhere in the country.

The Division is committed to creating an environment where employees and the New Yorkers we serve feel they belong, and the Division knows diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are foundational to every aspect of civil rights work. The Division is an equal opportunity employer, and recognizes that diversity in the workforce is critical. The Division encourages people living with disabilities and applicants from all communities to apply.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees' Retirement System
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 College Savings Program

Please note that specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, and length of State service.

This position is eligible for additional $4000 location pay.

Salaries are non-negotiable. Candidates with no previous state service will begin at the starting rate of the posted salary range.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Human Resources / MNR

Telephone

Fax

Email Address HRResumes@dhr.ny.gov

Address

Street Agency Building One, Empire State Plaza

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12220

Notes on ApplyingPlease submit cover letter along with a clear and concise resume detailing how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position as listed in Specifics and indicate the Vacancy ID number for which you are applying.

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