Description :
Equal Rights Officer - Entry
Equal Rights Division - [link removed] Madison and [link removed] Milwaukee
Job Announcement Code: 08-02390
Deadline: An exam will be given at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday September 13, 2008.
Salary Information: Starting salary is $29,829 per year, plus excellent [link removed] benefits . The Equal Rights Officer-Entry is in pay schedule 12, pay range 03. This position is in the Professional Social Services bargaining unit. A six month probationary period is required.
Introduction: These positions are located in the Equal Rights Division with the Department of Workforce Development. Vacancies are expected in Milwaukee (819 N. 6th St) and Madison (201 East Washington Avenue). These positions have the potential for reclassification to the Equal Rights Officer-Senior level based on successful performance and completion of intensive training on Equal Rights procedures, policies, and law. Reclassification to the Senior level involves a pay increase, in accordance with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. Applicants who took the Equal Rights Officer-Entry exam in 2005 will need to take this exam in order to be considered for future Equal Rights Officer positions.
Job Duties: Receive, investigate and attempt to settle complaints alleging violations of Wisconsin laws related to discrimination or labor standards. Review materials submitted by parties to cases and issue determinations finding probable violations of laws enforced by the Equal Rights Division. Answer inquires for information, make public presentations and conduct and participate in programs designed to educate the public. There are three areas of specialty: Civil Rights, Labor Standards and Prevailing Wage. This recruitment will be used to fill positions in all three areas of specialty, described as follows:
Civil Rights: Provide intake, settlement and investigation of complaints, including the administration of the fact gathering process and identifying issues of fact and law. Gather necessary data to write objective reports and decisions in cases alleging violations of the Fair Employment Law, Family and Medical Leave Law, Open Housing and Public Accommodation Law, Elder Abuse Reporting Law and Public Employees' Right to Know Law; retaliation for exercising rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act and fair labor standards laws; and discrimination in post-secondary education. A complete job description for [link removed] Civil Rights Equal Rights Officer is available.
Labor Standards: Document and attempt to collect unpaid wages and refer complaints for litigation. Serve as an expert witness and assist counsel in preparing complaints to be litigated. Conduct compliance audits/investigations for complaints regarding child labor, plant closing/mass lay-offs, cessation of health care benefits and repeat labor standards complaints. A complete job description for [link removed] Labor Standards Equal Rights Officer is available.
Prevailing Wage: Conduct investigations to determine if employers are in compliance with prevailing wage rate determinations issued by the department. Determine prevailing wage rates for state and local governmental public works projects. Assist in the annual prevailing wage survey sent to Wisconsin employers. Interpret collective bargaining agreements. A complete job description for [link removed] Prevailing Wage Equal Rights Officer is available.
A passing score on the Equal Rights Officer ?Entry exam will qualify you for all three areas of specialty mentioned above.
Special Notes: In addition to the general English speaking positions, we are also recruiting for people with bilingual abilities as some positions may require written and verbal fluency in Spanish/English or Hmong/English languages.
Knowledge Required: Methods to apply laws, rules and policies to resolve employment issues; investigation processes and procedures; interviewing methods; analytical skills; effective oral and written communication methods. Ability to communicate and interact with a variety of individuals and groups such as the public, employers, employees, attorneys, unions, etc. Knowledge of fact-finding methods; investigative processes and methods; basic statistical methods. Ability to work independently and manage workload; read collective bargaining agreements and negotiate settlements of complaints. Basic mathematical skills. Negotiation skills. Ability to check & compare information for accuracy and completeness; collect & analyze data and prepare complex reports. Ability to use a personal computer ? word processing software such as Microsoft Word, spreadsheets such as Excel and databases such as Access. Well qualified candidates will typically have a college degree, or advanced analytical, problem-solving & communication skills.
How to Apply: An examination is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday September 13th, 2008. It will be offered at 14 locations throughout the state. For complete application instructions, please see " [link removed] Monthly State Exams ." The location of exam centers for Madison, Milwaukee and other locations throughout the state are listed below. Do NOT send the application to Merit Recruitment and Selection nor to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
Monthly exam center application procedures pertain to this exam. This means you do not need to register in advance for this exam. Please bring a completed [link removed] Application for State Employment , two #2 lead pencils, a standard non-programmable calculator, and a picture ID with you to the exam site. If you cannot download the [link removed] Application for State Employment , there will be copies available for you to complete at the test site. However, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow enough time to complete the paperwork.
Test location in MADISON: University of Wisconsin ?Madison, Social Science Building, located at the corner of Observatory Dr. and Charter St. 1180 Observatory Dr. For a map see: [link removed] http:// [link removed]
Test location in MILWAUKEE: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Chemistry Building, east of Lot 20 between the Engineering and Math Sciences Building and Lapham Hall at 3210 N. Cramer St. For a map see: [link removed] http:// [link removed]
Test locations in other parts of the state: [link removed] exam sites for Sept 13 in other locations
Note: Applicants who took the Equal Rights Officer-Entry exam in 2007 will need to take this exam in order to be considered for future Equal Rights Officer positions.
Contact Information: Questions may be directed to Shelley Ringelstetter at [link removed] [email removed] or 608.266.1810.