At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Senior Civil Rights Investigator ("Sr. CRI") will oversee and supervise the tasks and duties of the other Junior Civil Rights Investigators ("Jr. CRI"). Additionally, the Sr. CRI will be responsible for a caseload of investigations of complaints/allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, in violation of MassDOT/MBTA Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policies. The Sr. CRI will be required to conduct factual investigations, and attempt to resolve informal complaints, and prepare written findings and recommendations to resolve formal complaints.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Compile and review pertinent documents and interview parties and witnesses.
- Prepare reports, findings and recommendations, and correspondence relating to civil rights and diversity programs.
- Perform timely and thorough investigations of civil rights complaints, including office and onsite interviews of parties and witnesses.
- Analyze evidence and draft findings and recommendations and identify through statistical and anecdotal evidence and findings, patterns of civil rights violations recommending remedial action where appropriate, including mediation and training.
- Provide training to employees, both individually and in classroom settings.
- Facilitate mediations and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolutions of disputes between employees as a result of investigations or upon request by supervisors or employees.
- Assist in the development and delivery of antidiscrimination, harassment and retaliation training.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the sensitive nature of investigations.
- Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor or coworker in a courteous and professional manner.
- Oversee and assist in the professional development of the Junior Civil Rights Investigator.
- Complete special projects as assigned by Director of Investigations, Training & Mediation, or the Deputy Chief Diversity Officer.
- Supervision of Junior Civil Rights Investigators.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
- Supervises Junior Civil Rights Investigators.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in related field.
- Five (5) years of experience conducting civil rights or discrimination investigations.
- A working knowledge of Massachusetts and federal civil rights statutes, regulations and policies, and familiarity with labor relations investigation procedures and employment law.
- Effective organizational, multitasking, time management and quantitative skills.
- Demonstrate progressively increased responsibility throughout work history.
- Excellent customer service, writing, communication, conflict resolution and comprehension skills.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
Substitutions Include
- A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- An associate degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.
Preferred Experience and Skills- Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.
- Experience in mediation or alternative dispute resolution.
- Experience in training (antidiscrimination, antiharassment, or prevention, and diversity).
- Bilingual or multilingual skills.
- Working knowledge of PeopleSoft, Access, Word, Excel or PowerPoint applications.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA, but a valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number are required prior to starting work. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
- Intern / Co-Op / Fellow Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship, co-op, or fellowship at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on city from which the employee commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns, co-ops, or fellows.


