EEO Investigator

Agency Description: The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) oversees housing standards across all 3.7 million homes in New York City.

As the nation’s largest municipal housing agency, HPD is responsible for building and preserving affordable housing, protecting tenants from harassment and displacement, and holding landlords accountable across the five boroughs. Under Commissioner Dina Levy and the Mamdani Administration, HPD is pursuing an ambitious housing agenda focused on the needs of New York’s tenants. With a broad set of tools including standards enforcement, tenant resources, and the creation of new affordable housing, HPD is committed to making New York City a more affordable place for renters and homeowners alike.

Your Team: The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Equal Employment Opportunity (“ODEI/EEO”) forwards the mission of HPD to construct and preserve affordable housing by ensuring that all internally- and externally facing policies, programs and procedures are created and executed with an intersectional equity lens that focuses on wellness both for employees and the public we serve. The Office also serves an important compliance role, ensuring that anti-discrimination laws are enforced. The Office is transitioning to focus even more on equity and inclusion, paying close attention to race, gender, and disability as intersectional lenses to help uncover barriers to accessing resources and opportunities.

The Office works both internally and externally to ensure that the agency is as responsive as possible to the diverse public we serve through building partnerships with neighborhoods, communities and organizations. The Office also acts as a one-stop resource with regard to equity and as a liaison for HPD to equity initiatives throughout the city. Finally, the Office is committed to educating HPD’s workforce about equity and inclusion strategies and equal employment opportunity policies, as well as state and local anti-discrimination laws, in order to better equip our staff to work together and with the public in an unbiased and professional manner.

Your Role: The EEO Investigator will perform highly confidential, sensitive, and complex investigative and compliance work under general supervision, with considerable latitude for independent judgment and decision-making. The Investigator will manage investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other potential violations of EEO laws and policies. Responsibilities will also include supporting reasonable accommodation matters, preparing required reports, and providing training and guidance to agency employees.

Responsibilities: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Independently managing a caseload of sensitive and confidential EEO investigations;
• Developing investigative plans, including identifying witnesses, preparing interview questions, and determining necessary documentation;
• Interviewing complainants, respondents, witnesses, and other relevant parties;
• Reviewing and analyzing testimonial, documentary, and other evidence;
• Preparing comprehensive investigative reports and recommendations for the EEO Officer;
• Exercising independent judgment in determining investigative scope, follow-up, and appropriate next steps;
• Collaborating with internal and external partners on investigations and EEO matters;
• Supporting the reasonable accommodation process in accordance with applicable laws and policies;
• Researching and interpreting federal, state, and local EEO and disability laws, regulations, and policies;
• Assisting in the development and delivery of EEO and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training;
• Updating training materials and guidance to reflect changes in law and policy; and
• Performing other related investigative, compliance, and policy duties as needed.

Required Skills: This position requires demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local employment discrimination and disability laws and experience applying investigative principles to sensitive workplace matters. Candidates must be able to independently analyze complex issues, evaluate evidence, exercise sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, and communicate findings clearly.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full-time experience in one or more of the following fields: accounting, auditing, correction administration, criminal justice administration and planning, forensic science, inspection, law enforcement, personnel administration, police science, security, or a major operational area of the agency in which the appointment is to be made.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of federal, New York State, and New York City employment and anti-discrimination laws;
• Experience conducting workplace, EEO, employee relations, compliance, or similar investigations;
• Strong investigative, analytical, and report-writing skills;
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to work independently with limited oversight and manage multiple priorities;
• Experience handling difficult or sensitive conversations;
• Experience developing or delivering training; and
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from accredited college; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full-time experience in one or more of the fields of accounting, auditing, correction administration, criminal justice administration and planning, forensic science, inspection, law enforcement, personnel administration, police science, and security, or in a major operational area of the agency in which the appointment is to be made; or 3.Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above.

License Requirements At the time of appointment, all candidates must possess a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.