Civil Rights Intake Specialist

Position Description - CIVIL RIGHTS INTAKE SPECIALIST

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides a variety of direct support assistance services to civil rights Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) and investigators in support of the USAO Affirmative Civil Rights Enforcement Program. Typical assignments include:

• Fields and logs phone calls and questions from members of the public seeking information about the United States Attorney's Office (USAOs) affirmative civil rights enforcement efforts or from those wishing to file a civil rights complaint. Obtains needed information for files and submits information to the appropriate AUSA or investigator. In preparation of documents, considers the nature and the status of the case involved. Completes variable aspects of recurring documents in conformance with the rules governing their style and format.
• Composes original letters that do not require legal interpretations but do require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology relevant to civil rights laws and regulations.

2. At the direction of AUSA or investigator, conducts initial interviews of civil rights complainants and participates in other investigative activities for civil rights matters opened in the USAO or being investigated and/or litigated jointly with the Civil Rights Division.

• Reviews complaints and determines whether additional information is required to determine jurisdiction or to clarify the allegations.
• Notifies complainant of pending status and secures additional information if necessary.
• Assists with Outreach and training programs including providing administrative assistance for working group meetings and conferences.

3. Provides a variety of direct clerical and administrative support assistance services to affirmative civil rights AUSA and investigator. Typical assignments include:

• Receives visitors and telephone callers. Furnishes requested information concerning pending and closed matters and cases, functions and general procedures of the office. Determines which matters should be referred to the AUSA and the urgency of the matter.
• Establishes and maintains a variety of civil rights files, documents and databases. Searches legal reference files for information needed by civil rights AUSAs and investigator in conducting interviews and preparing correspondence. Assembles exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents from file material. Separates, screens, selects, assembles, and organizes civil rights files, correspondence and records material for disposition or transfer to records depository in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintains calendar and/or database of assigned active civil rights complaints, investigations, matters and cases. Tracks filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews.

4. Plan and conduct investigations to develop and/or verify facts of civil rights cases and complaints, both independently and in consultation with AUSAs assigned to Civil Rights Cases. Major duties include:

• Identifying witnesses and conducting interviews.
• Attending on-site visits of respondents’ property.
• Reviewing documents, reports, bank records, interview files, computer data, and other produced materials.
• Assisting attorneys in formulating investigative plans to identify facts and issues involved in a case, the applicable theories of law, and the scope of the investigation.
• Conducting initial intake communication with the public regarding various civil rights complaints, and referring inquiries to appropriate community resources, if appropriate.
• Establishing and maintaining an effective system of compiling, indexing, and organizing information and its sources.
• Preparing reports and presenting findings orally and in writing to attorneys and other staff.

5. Organize outreach activities and public presentations on federal civil rights laws and regulations with various community and advocacy groups.

6. Participate and assist in preparation for settlement negotiations and trial. Major duties include:

• Compiling, organizing, and indexing evidence.
• Managing the presentation of exhibits at settlement negotiations and trial, including preparing narrative summaries, charts, tables, graphs, or other visual aids.

7. Performs a variety of ancillary investigations-related services in direct support of civil rights litigation. Support activities include, but are not limited to, copying, mailing, closing files, and maintaining pleadings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Applicant must possess knowledge of generally accepted investigative principles, techniques, and procedures.
• Also, applicant must be knowledgeable about rules of evidence, and the constitutional rights of individuals.
• Additionally, applicant must be able to recognize, develop, and present evidence that reconstructs events, sequences, and time elements and establishes relationships, responsibilities, and liability in a manner that meets the requirements of law.
• Applicant must have the ability to (1) make contacts, maintain effective work relationships, and gain the confidence and cooperation of others; (2) plan and conduct complex investigations; (3) devise and improvise methods of meeting investigative goals in an expeditious manner; (4) obtain information and develop evidence by observation, interviewing individuals, examining and analyzing records; (5) understand and analyze financial, billing, and other reporting information and materials relevant to civil rights enforcement case; (6) report facts clearly, accurately, and logically both orally and in writing; and (7) cope with unusual demands or situations, make responsible decisions on short notice and adapt to unexpected developments.
• Finally, applicant must have a reputation for trustworthiness, integrity, sound judgment, and unquestioned loyalty to the United States.
• Must possess valid driver’s license.
• Computer Skills: Applicant must have the ability to use MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Access or other data bases, MS Power Point, and Adobe Acrobat Professional. Applicant must have a working knowledge of research methods involved in the collection and analysis of data and have some working knowledge concerning how to perform legal research in Lexis/Nexis and /or WestLaw.
• Communication and interpersonal skills are extremely important. Applicant must be able to work and interact professionally and effectively with all levels of staff and public. Applicant must have the ability to meet established deadlines and work as a team player in a professional office. The applicant must also have skill in meeting and dealing with people of all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, in a courteous and tactful manner. Personal contacts occur at a broad variety of locations in the community, in structured and unstructured settings, with or without direction from an AUSA. The ideal applicant would possess a warm and welcoming demeanor to help facilitate disclosure of sensitive information by vulnerable complainants.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Excellent customer service and time management skills
• Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office setting.
• Work may require lifting objects up to 50lbs.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Salary: $27.17 - $29.17 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) & matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:

Starks Industries Inc. is a Federal Contractor and complies with Executive Order: 14042 ensuring adequent COVID saftey protecols for Federal Contractors.

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
• Paralegal: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Paralegal Certificate (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $27 - $29