HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivil Human Rights InvestigatorUpdated: July 2025
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Civil/Human Rights Investigator
Department: City Manager’s Office
Division: Human Rights
Supervisor: Civil\Human Rights Coordinator
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 15
Job Number: 1507
Job Summary
Under general direction, investigates formal complaints alleging violations of Title 2 of the Iowa
City Municipal Code and violations of state and federal civil rights laws.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Conducts investigations of formal complaints alleging violation(s) of Title 2 of the Iowa
City Municipal Code; communicates with parties, mediators, and other involved
individuals throughout the complaint process; conducts site visits as needed to gather
relevant information; interviews complainants, respondents and witnesses; prepares
interrogatories for each case, analyzes and reviews evidence received from parties;
identifies, obtains, and analyzes comparative evidence; researches case law and
statutes; recommends disposition of complaints; and writes formal determination
reports.
• Assists in the development and presentation of educational activities and training
programs designed to educate the community on Title 2 of the Iowa City Municipal
Code, state and federal civil rights laws, and related topics.
• Responds to inquiries from the public on Title 2 of the Iowa City Municipal Code and
maintains records of inquiries, referrals, and case management.
• Stays up to date on changes in civil rights laws and statutes to provide accurate and
current information to community members.
• Works with all departments to maintain consistency and professionalism and provides a
"seamless" service to the public and other agencies.
• Behaves in a way that promotes and supports a positive environment in the workplace
and community.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related
experience; or six years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
Updated: July 2025
education and experience. Degree in Human Resources, Political Science, Social
Sciences, Civil Rights, or related.
• Valid State of Iowa driver’s license with satisfactory driving record required. Must be 18
years of age. Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Master’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two to four years of
related experience; or Juris Doctorate from an accredited educational institution and
two years of related experience; and/or equivalent combination of education and
experience. Experience in legal field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole
numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in
written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized
situations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to remain an impartial fact finder, collect and analyze data, and summarize and
produce written findings.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to travel in the community and attend evening and weekend meetings.
• Knowledge of civil rights law, interviewing, and investigative techniques.
• Skill in legal research, oral and written communication.
• Skill in mediation and de-escalation techniques.
• Skill in observing, reading, and interpreting legally written materials.
• Skill in performing mathematical functions in order to interpret statistical data.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals,
technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Updated: July 2025
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Geoff Fruin, City Manager (7/2025)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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