Works closely with the Chief of Staff to direct Civil Rights programs that may include, but are not limited to, Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VI and VII, American with Disability Act (ADA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), in order to prevent unlawful discrimination and promote equal access and opportunity.

• Provides leadership, direction, and support to the Civil Rights department, and ensures compliance with Civil Rights Act of 1964 Titles VI and VII, EEO laws, California Unruh Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, California Disabled Persons Act, Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Guidance.

• Supports the Chief Executive Officer in directing the overall strategic direction, workplan execution, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations with the goal of achieving equitable and inclusive outcomes and culture change

• Creates and implements policies, goals, performance measures, and strategies, that are responsive to employee, customer, and community needs

• Leads staff in inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration and cooperation

• Directs Metro’s oversight of subrecipients receiving funds through Metro for ADA, EEO, and Title VI compliance

• Engages in meaningful, targeted outreach to people living with disabilities, ethnic, and cultural minorities, people of various national origins, and women, as well as to advocacy groups, associations, and service providers representing such groups to promote and encourage use of Metro and advise of employment opportunities at Metro

• Leads development of new initiatives to improve accessibility of Metro service and facilities for minorities, persons living with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged

• Oversees the investigations and resolutions of civil rights complaints by the public and employees

• Directs and manages the monitoring of claims and compliance complaints with state and federal accessibility rules and regulations

• Directs the development of studies and reports to evaluate accessibility of the agency’s programs and facilities

• Develops agency-wide support and directs responses to federal and state civil rights audits and reviews

• Directs the review of all construction project plans and drawings, and inspection of new and current facilities for accessibility and compliance with the Civil Rights Act

• Ensures agency-wide coordination and dissemination of information on Metro’s Title VI programs and recommends direction for agency’s compliance

• Reviews all relevant Metro documents for accessibility and Title VI/VII issues

• Directs the administration of Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program to ensure compliance with applicable policy, state, and federal laws/regulations and develops EEO policies and programs

• Ensures internal and external dissemination of EEO policies and Affirmative Action Plans

• Assists management in defining data needs for Affirmative Action Plans and in setting Affirmative Action Plan goals and timetables

• Oversees and reviews the development and implementation of training programs for all Metro personnel related to ADA, EEO, and Title VI policies and procedures

• Oversees administration and budget of the department

• Represents Metro at meetings and conferences with public agencies, the private sector, public and corporate officials, and the general public

• Directs studies, investigations, and analyses and presents findings and recommendations to Chief of Staff and CEO

• Provides guidance, coaching, mentoring, training, and oversight for assigned employees and directs consultants as necessary

• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

May be required to perform other related job duties

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Federal, state, and local Civil Rights legislation, including ADA, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Unruh Act, California Disabled Persons Act, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), etc.

• Theories, principles, and practices of ADA, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504, DOT regulations, and FTA guidance on ADA

• Theories, principles, and practices of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative ADA-ABA (Architectural Barriers Act) Access Board and California Title 24 regulations for ADA

• Modern management theory

• Budget administration

• Leadership practices 

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Understanding and analyzing complex civil rights issues 

• Developing and implementing policies and procedures 

• Determining strategic direction for department

• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, developing and implementing solutions, and evaluating outcomes

• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

• Interacting professionally, effectively, and sensitively with all levels of agency staff, outside agencies, and the general public

• Mediating and negotiating

• Leading, supervising, training, and mentoring subordinate staff

• Directing outreach to racial and ethnic minorities, people living with disabilities and the economically disadvantaged 

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Work with constraints and meet tight timelines

• Think and act independently

• Make financial decisions consistent with good budget practice

• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements

• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence

• Handle highly confidential information

• Represent agency before union officials, contractors, vendors, federal and state auditors, arbitrators, and legal professionals

• Travel to offsite locations

• Read, write, speak, and understand English

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field; Juris Doctor or Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant executive management-level experience performing work in the areas of Civil or Human Rights or a related area of specialty such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI and VII, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), American Disability Act (ADA), and/or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program.

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

•  A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation

• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table

• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium

• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer