Director, Human Rights and Equity Programs Fairfax County Government

Overview

Fairfax County Government is seeking an accomplished expert to lead and direct its Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP). The mission of OHREP is to ensure equal opportunity and to promote justice, diversity, and inclusiveness by protecting the civil rights of all in Fairfax County. OHREP receives and investigates complaints alleging violations of the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance (Download PDF reader) and manages the county’s Fair Housing Plan.

OHREP also administers the county’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program and ensures the county’s compliance with all federal, state, and county mandates granting equal access to all county services, programs, and employment opportunities. The Human Rights Division in OHREP supports the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and is charged with enforcing the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance and the Fair Housing Act.

The Equity Programs Division administers the county’s EEO program. The division also ensures the county’s compliance with all federal, state, and county mandates granting equal access to all county services, programs, and employment opportunities.

• Directs all strategic and operational program development and implementation components of the Human Rights Ordinance, the Fair Housing Act, the county’s compliance with EEO, affirmative action and related equity programs.
• Establishes office goals and objectives, policies, and procedures ensuring that all supports the county and the Human Rights Commission initiatives.
• Administers, coordinates and implements programs, policies and procedures to prevent discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing accommodations, commercial space and land transactions, and to foster tolerance among residents of Fairfax County.
• Develops standards and procedures to conduct investigations of discrimination complaints in employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability and in housing on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, source of funds, or disability.
• Monitors progress of investigations and makes recommendations to resolve discrimination, harassment, and bullying cases. Evaluates and reviews formal investigation findings and recommendations to ensure consistency, objectivity, and fairness in the application of laws, county policies and procedures.
• Serves as a member, and an advisor to the senior management team and provides oversight and coordination in gaining compliance with human/civil rights provisions.
• Provides oversight of activities and creates a collaborative and team‑oriented environment. Supervises professional staff in the performance of duties, including but not limited to hiring, coaching, training, professional development, performance management, and discipline or corrective actions. Serves as the appointing authority for all positions within the department as well as the decision-maker of significant disciplinary actions.
• Keeps abreast of and advises the HRC, County Executive and the Deputy County Executive of any enacted legislation and the introduction and progress of any bills introduced during the Virginia General Assembly Sessions that may affect county agencies/departments and the enforcement of civil rights laws.
• Informs the HRC, County Executive and the Deputy County Executive of current and anticipated trends in the areas of EEO, affirmative action, human rights and civil rights laws.
• Directs county‑wide equity and compliance studies to assess educational needs or areas for improvement and aligns resources to comply with results indicators.
• Develops office operating and capital budgetary requirements and submits to county senior management. Maintains fiduciary control of office program budget. Ensures compliance by and with any contracted partners. Evaluates and approves expenses. Mobilizes any available and…