Equal Opportunity Specialist Career

*A job as an Equal Opportunity Specialist falls under the broader career category of Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers. The information on this page will generally apply to all careers in this category but may not specifically apply to this career title.

Job Description for Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers : Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.


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Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officer Career

What Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers do:

  • Investigate employment practices or alleged violations of laws to document and correct discriminatory factors.
  • Interpret civil rights laws and equal opportunity regulations for individuals or employers.
  • Prepare reports related to investigations of equal opportunity complaints.
  • Interview persons involved in equal opportunity complaints to verify case information.
  • Study equal opportunity complaints to clarify issues.
  • Monitor the implementation and impact of guidelines for nondiscriminatory employment practices.
  • Meet with persons involved in equal opportunity complaints to arbitrate and settle disputes.
  • Conduct surveys and evaluate findings to determine if systematic discrimination exists.
  • Coordinate, monitor, or revise complaint procedures to ensure timely processing and review of complaints.
  • Provide information, technical assistance, or training to supervisors, managers, or employees on topics such as employee supervision, hiring, grievance procedures, or staff development.
  • Develop guidelines for nondiscriminatory employment practices.
  • Prepare reports of selection, survey, or other statistics and recommendations for corrective action.
  • Counsel newly hired members of minority or disadvantaged groups, informing them about details of civil rights laws.
  • Verify that all job descriptions are submitted for review and approval and that descriptions meet regulatory standards.
  • Review company contracts to determine actions required to meet governmental equal opportunity provisions.
  • Meet with job search committees or coordinators to explain the role of the equal opportunity coordinator, to provide resources for advertising, or to explain expectations for future contacts.
  • Consult with community representatives to develop technical assistance agreements in accordance with governmental regulations.
  • Participate in the recruitment of employees through job fairs, career days, or advertising plans.
  • Act as liaisons between minority placement agencies and employers or between job search committees and other equal opportunity administrators.

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Holland Code Chart for an Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officer