HR Specialist, Investigations

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLASS TITLE: HR Specialist, Investigations (EEO/OIRM)

TITLE CODE: V18053

GRADE: 07/OPE - $84,696 to $133,558 (Annual Salary Scale for Exempt 12-Month Employees Represented by BCPSOPE 2024-2025 Effective July 1, 2024)

SCHEDULE: Full Time

REPORTS TO: Director, Employment Dispute Resolution

DEFINITION: Investigates complaints of alleged employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and related policies and rules, as well as employee incidents of misconduct, child abuse and neglect, bullying, and criminal activity related to compliance with applicable laws and regulations and policies and rules. Prepares and presents reports, findings, and determinations. Coordinates background investigations of applicants for employment. Evaluates and resolves employee requests for workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and other applicable laws and regulations. Analyzes background records of employees, candidates for employment, service providers, volunteers, and others. Assists in administering the Office of Investigations and Records Management (OIRM) and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity. Performs other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Conducts investigations of allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation related to compliance with EEO laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, ADA, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standars Act (FLSA), and State Government Article Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland and other related laws and regulations and policies and rules.
• Facilitates the interactive process to evaluate employee workplace accommodation requests. Acts as designee of the EEO Officer to issue decisions consistent with applicable policies, procedures, laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the ADA; PWFA; and Title VII.
• Conducts internal investigations of allegations of serious employee misconduct including child abuse and neglect and criminal activities. Collaborates with law enforcement officials and other external agency partners to resolve matters.
• Conducts internal investigations of allegations of employee misconduct and workplace bullying related to compliance with Board of Education Policies and Superintendent's Rules.
• Prepares questions for and conducts thorough interviews of parties, witnesses and other involved individuals in compliance with policies and procedures and any applicable collective bargaining agreements to determine the facts of the case. Obtains affidavits as appropriate.
• Conducts unbiased reviews of complaint files, correspondence, and other documents to determine facts of the case. Analyzes video footage and other relevant evidence. Conducts professional analysis of facts gathered during the course of investigations to determine whether there has been a violation of Board of Education Policies, Superintendent's Rules, and relevant laws and regulations.
• Drafts investigative reports, summarizing relevant facts to analyze against policies and rules and applicable laws and regulations.
• Prepares statements of position and responds to requests for information related to complaints filed with external agencies, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), and local human relations commissions.
• Prepares and presents reports of findings and determinations. Testifies in criminal trials and administrative hearings. Represents the Baltimore County Public Schools at fact-finding hearings, unemployment hearings, external government agency mediations, and related events as appropriate.
• Coordinates background checks of current, potential, and contractual employees. Gathers, verifies, and analyzes data, documentation, and reports. Conducts follow-up on I-9 concerns.
• Identifies potentially disqualifying information, falsification, and material omissions on applications for employment. Interviews applicants who disclose potentially disqualifying information and determines their suitability for employment. Analyzes and develops procedures and practices related to background checks and investigations.
• Provides advice to management regarding matters related to background checks and investigations for employees, substitutes, student interns, and volunteers.
• Receives and analyzes alerts of post-employment arrests. Investigates cases and reviews employees’ continued suitability for employment. Interviews employees and supervisors. Drafts reports and memoranda to analyze evidence against applicable policies, rules, laws and regulations.
• Coordinates with inter-office and related office staff to support monitoring of employees placed on administrative leave.
• Travels throughout Baltimore County and other local jurisdictions to conduct special investigations.
• Conducts or assists with random audits of background check records for contractors and other vendors and investigations protocols and procedures.
• Assists with creation and revision of standard operating procedures for the Office of Investigations and Records Management and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Consults with administrators and supervisors and provides guidance on matters pertaining to progressive discipline, employee misconduct, employee assistance program, training resources and other resources to improve workplace behaviors.
• Assists in preparation and presentation of training programs and workshops.
• Maintains files and electronic databases. Documents all case activities from the initial complaint to resolution and closing the investigative file.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Training and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree. Five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources investigations.
Juris Doctorate (JD) or advanced degree in English, political science, government affairs, public administration, human resources, or a related field preferred. Five years demonstrated EEO investigation experience preferred.

Note: Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge and skills necessary to perform effectively in the class may be considered.

Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid class C Maryland driver's license or an equivalent is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources investigations. Knowledge of employment discrimination laws and regulations including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and State Government Article Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland, as well as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Knowledge of EEO-related laws and regulations. Knowledge of the principles and best practices of management.

Knowledge of criminal justice, law enforcement, and security. Knowledge of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Family Law Article, Part IV, Maryland Criminal Law Article and related laws and regulations pertaining to background checks and investigations. Knowledge of the Criminal Justice Information System.

Knowledge and skill with technology and office software application; database, spreadsheet, word processing, and related applications. Knowledge of and skill in data analysis.

Demonstrated ability in conducting personnel or employee relations investigations.

Critical thinking skills, a strong work ethic, solid organizational and time management skills, a willingness and ability to adapt to sudden changes.

Exceptional writing skills, organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to conduct thorough and professional interviews.

Ability to adhere to established timelines for completion of all investigations, including EEO and employee misconduct.

Demonstrated proficiency with communication skills, both written and oral. Skill in preparing and presenting reports. Skill in speaking and presenting before groups.

Skill in conducting background checks of current and potential employees. Skill in interviewing parties to determine the facts of a case. Excellent organizational skills.

Ability to maintain confidential information. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to maintain files and records accurately.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The work of this class entails travel to schools, offices, and facilities throughout the Baltimore area in conducting various investigations.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Employees in this class are subject to call to duty in emergencies and may be required to work evenings, weekends, and beyond their normally scheduled hours as needed.

FLSA: Exempt

RETIREMENT: Baltimore County Employees’ Retirement System

This class specification defines the types of duties and level of difficulty of work required of positions in this title. It shall not be held to exclude duties not mentioned nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required.

Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Each time an applicant applies to a job with BCPS, the application must be resubmitted. If an applicant started an application with BCPS in the past and at a later date decides to apply for additional positions, it is the applicant's responsibility to review the entire application and ensure that all data is up to date (for example, the applicant may need to add additional schooling or certifications, an additional work experience, or provide updated references). The applicant must remember to review the entire application each time for accuracy and submit each time for a new or different vacancy.
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted. Applicants should notify their reference proactively to inform them they will receive a form via email through a MAILBOT email address from Baltimore County Public Schools. Applicants should also inform their reference(s) of the job they are applying to.
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
• Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (per COMAR) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $109. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
• If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
• Official transcripts will be required upon hire and must be sent via escript/clearinghouse from your university.
• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
• All newly hired personnel must attend a Benefits and Retirement Orientation meeting.
• Additional job verification may be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, MD 21220 (443-809-4360).


Contact Information
Shawn Stahl
Manager, Staffing
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 443-809-7872
Fax: 410-296-0568
Email: sstahl@bcps.org