Human Rights Specialist - HOSS

About the Role

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a Human Rights Specialist to support the fair, efficient, and professional administration of discrimination inquiries and complaints under the Broward County Human Rights Act. This role serves as a key point of contact for both complainants and respondents, assessing initial inquiries, drafting formal complaints, and conducting thorough interviews. The Human Rights Specialist investigates cases, evaluates evidence, drafts detailed reports and determinations, and enters required information into the HUD portal. The position also facilitates conciliations when applicable, supports the Human Rights Board, and performs related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Receive initial inquiries regarding fair housing and public accommodation complaints and assess jurisdiction under the Broward County Human Rights Act.
• Draft employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination complaints.
• Interview complainants, respondents, and witnesses to gather relevant information and facts.
• Investigate complaints through on-site visits, record reviews, policy evaluations, and compliance checks.
• Create, develop, and prepare detailed final investigative reports, recommendations, and determinations for review.
• Conciliate employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination complaints when applicable.
• Enter all relevant case information into the HUD Enforcement Management System (HEMS) in a timely manner.
• Provide technical assistance to complainants, respondents, agencies, governmental entities, and the public.
• Serve as a back-up coordinator for the Human Rights Board, including scheduling meetings, managing communications, and preparing agendas and minutes.
• Assist in planning, preparing, and delivering compliance or educational training.
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in Fair Housing Month activities.
• Attend required virtual and in-person trainings and continuing education classes.
• Participate in outreach events to educate consumers, constituents, and community partners on services.
• Work independently under limited supervision, reporting major activities through case management or periodic meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include working nights, weekends, or holidays.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, law, or a closely related field.
• Two years and six months of experience conducting investigations and regulatory compliance in one of the following specialties:
  • Equal Employment Opportunity
  • Fair Housing
  • Public Accommodations Discrimination
  • Ethics, Wage Recovery, Living Wage, or Cone of Silence violations
  • Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Fraud Examinations and Auditing
  • Closely related field
• Depending on assignment, a Florida Driver’s License may be required.

Preferences

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in public or business administration, law, or a closely related field.
• Mediator Certification or Fair Housing Investigator Certification.
• One year or more of experience as a mediator or in conflict resolution.
• One year or more of advanced written communication for legal-style reports.
• One year or more of experience working with diverse populations and stakeholders.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Creole, or Portuguese (speak, read, and write).

Work Environment

• Physical Demands: Sedentary work involving walking or standing some of the time and exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular basis or sustained keyboard operations.
• Unavoidable Hazards: Routine and frequent exposure to traffic and moving machinery.

Benefits

• Eleven (11) paid holidays each year.
• Vacation (Paid Time Off): 2 weeks per year.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 annually.
• Up to 40 hours of Job Basis Leave for eligible positions.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Health Benefits:
  • High-Deductible Health Plan – bi-weekly premiums: Employee $10.90 / Family $80.79 (includes a County-funded Health Savings Account of up to $2,000 annually).
  • Consumer Driven Health Plan – bi-weekly premiums: Employee $82.58 / Family $286.79.
• Florida Retirement System (FRS) – Pension or Investment Plan.
• 457 Deferred Compensation: County matches up to $2,000 a year.