HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM COORDINATOR

HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM COORDINATOR
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
CITY OF WORCESTER

The City of Worcester is seeking qualified applicants for a Human Rights and Accessibility Program Coordinator for the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EODEI). Under the direction of the Director of Human Rights and Accessibility, the Human Rights and Accessibility Program Coordinator will assist in administering the City's Human Rights Ordinance, Accessibility Ordinance, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Fair Housing laws to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws. This in-person position plays a vital role in promoting justice, equity, inclusiveness, and accessibility by protecting the civil rights of all individuals in Worcester. The Human Rights and Accessibility Program Coordinator will serve as a liaison to the Human Rights Commission, the Accessibility Advisory Commission, and additional boards or commissions as assigned. Responsibilities include receiving, processing, and investigating complaints and reasonable accommodation requests, engaging directly with the public, facilitating ADA accommodations, and supporting public education efforts around civil rights protections. This is a highly confidential position requiring experience in investigations and strong knowledge of anti-discrimination laws. The role involves attending regular evening and off-site meetings with the public and city departments to fulfill essential job functions.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:

Civil and Human Rights Compliance:

• Support and promote human and civil rights initiatives across the City of Worcester.
• Work on issues requiring substantial knowledge of federal, state, and municipal anti-discrimination laws, including housing and disability rights.
• Serve as the primary or initial point of contact for Human Rights and Accessibility complaints.
• Receive, facilitate, and process ADA reasonable accommodation requests and other accessibility- or disability-related concerns.
• Participate in interactive dialogue processes as assigned by the Director.
• Assist in the development and implementation of department policies, complaint processes, and procedures.

Investigations and Case Management:

• Provide customer service and support to individuals involved in complaint or investigation processes, handling complex and confidential matters with empathy and professionalism.
• Assist with investigations, witness interviews, evidence gathering, and referrals as necessary to complete assigned duties.
• Monitor, process, and maintain detailed case records and data tracking systems.
• Attend and contribute to scheduled departmental meetings, providing updates to relevant staff and administrators on case status.

Boards and Commission Support:

• Serve as staff liaison to assigned boards and commissions, including the Human Rights Commission and Accessibility Advisory Commission.
• Maintain board minutes and ensure compliance with the Open Meeting Law.
• Develop, post, and monitor public meeting agendas and other documents in accordance with legal requirements.
• Assist with commission projects such as community events and outreach, which may include evening work.
• Develop topics and guest speakers for meetings and coordinate related logistics and activities.

Education, Training, and Policy Development:

• Conduct research and develop training materials related to anti-discrimination law, reasonable accommodations, and ADA compliance.
• Deliver presentations to city departments and boards/commissions on relevant civil rights topics.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support the growth and development of EODEI programming and trainings.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to promote and expand the impact of human rights protections citywide.

Partnerships and Community Engagement:

• Attend community events that align with the mission and work of the Human Rights and Accessibility Office and the Boards and Commissions under EODEI to support recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with community-based organizations across Worcester to build trust, collaboration, and shared advocacy.
• Represent the Human Rights and Accessibility Office by tabling at public events, distributing informational materials, and promoting available resources, board and commission membership and opportunities to the public.
• Accompany the Chief Equity Officer to stakeholder meetings, neighborhood gatherings, and events with community leaders, as appropriate, to enhance visibility, engagement, and partnership-building.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge or the ability to learn about the legal and administrative requirements for investigating, preparing, and processing cases of alleged discrimination.
• Knowledge, experience, and awareness of anti-discrimination laws, including M.G.L. c. 151B, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the MA Open Meeting Law
• Ability to analyze and interpret anti-discrimination laws and regulations.
• Ability to analyze information, make recommendations and provide information to the public.
• Ability to assist in the development of policies and practices and adhere to City policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with senior management, employees, board and commission members, and the public.
• Personal and professional commitment to fairness for all people
• Superior analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, including a demonstrated ability to proactively assist in identifying solutions that are creative, innovative, and flexible.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Highly skilled at listening to the perspectives of competing interests and making clear, well-informed decisions and presentations of City and departmental policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to multi-task within fast moving and often stressful timelines and environment.
• commitment to maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to be an analytic problem solver and creative thinker and have effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to research and create presentation materials to present to diverse audiences.
• Commitment to DEI/Human/Civil/Disability rights and remain positively motivated.
• Knowledge and experience working in a Human/Civil rights capacity at an agency, dept./organization to support all human rights and accessibility initiatives/work.
• Superior ability demonstrated by experience performing customer service with complex issues working with diverse populations.
• Regular on-site attendance is required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in human rights, social justice or a related field OR;
  
  
  
  • An equivalent combination of education, training and five (5) years of relevant experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered in lieu of the above requirements
  
  
  
  
• Three (3) years of relevant experience working with and supporting urban and culturally diverse agencies,
• department or organization
• Knowledge of DEI principles, and related laws including anti- discrimination and Disability/ADA laws
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience performing administrative tasks in an office environment
• Experience providing customer service in an office environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Access to reliable transportation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in human Rights/Civil Rights, and Social Justice or a related field
• Five (5) years of relevant experience working with and supporting urban and culturally diverse agencies, department or organization
• Five (5) years of experience developing and delivering and administering programs, implementing and assessing policies
• Three (3) years of experience performing administrative tasks in an office environment
• Three (3) years of experience providing customer service in an office environment
• Two (2) years of experience working in mediation
• Certificate or specialized training in Mediation
• Knowledge and experience about the MA Open Meeting Law
• Bilingual or multilingual

SALARY RANGE: $69,898 - $91,542 annually, full-time, exempt with an excellent benefits package

To apply, please visit: www.worcesterma.gov/employment or send resume and cover letter to: City of Worcester, 455 Main Street, Room 109, Worcester, MA 01608. OPEN UNTIL FILLED, applications received prior to or on FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025, will receive preference. Preference is given to Worcester residents. The City of Worcester is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Direct inquiries to: City Hall, Human Resources, Room 109, 508-799-1030, Hiring@worcesterma.gov.