Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1

Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1

Location: CT-Wethersfield

Job Description: Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1

LocationWethersfield, CT

Date Opened11/10/2025 2:41:00 PM

Salary$72,178 - $98,421/year

Job TypeOpen to the Public

Introduction

Are you detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about promoting equity in the workplace? Are you driven by integrity and a passion for operational excellence and looking for a role where you can assist in the development and implementation of procedures that ensure organizational compliance with federal and state laws, statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders—both internally and externally? If so, the State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC), is accepting applications for a full-time Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1 located in Wethersfield, CT. If you want to explore a meaningful career with us, where you will help uphold integrity and drive operational excellence, apply today!

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• This position is full-time, Monday through Friday, first shift, 8:00AM to 4:30PM with travel throughout the state to Correctional Facilities.
• The successful candidate will have attention to detail, be reliable, confidential and possess excellent written and oral skills. 
• You will come to us with effective conflict resolution skills, and the ability to apply analytical thinking to your work. 
• You must be able to plan and organize work, adjust to changing priorities, and achieve objectives within strict deadlines.

The successful candidate will be able to independently perform the required duties of the position including but not limited to:

• Conducting employee counseling regarding affirmative action issues;
• Conducting impartial investigations and making fact based decisions;
• Compiling and analyzing statistical affirmative action data;
• Assisting with the development and implementation of agencies’ affirmative action plans and programs;
• Conducting sexual harassment prevention training, Diversity Training and other EEO/affirmative action related training programs;
• Assisting with related special projects; and other related duties.
• Candidate required to travel throughout the State of CT to Correctional Facilities for meetings, investigations, trainings, etc.

ABOUT US

The Connecticut Department of Correction is a diverse agency with a wide variety of employees from Correction Officers, to Educators, to Managers and Skilled Professionals. We value differences that make us stronger as a team and support our mission statement.

 

The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) is the agency responsible for corrections in the U.S. State of Connecticut. The agency operates 13 correctional facilities. It has its headquarters in Wethersfield. The DOC protects public safety by ensuring offenders serve their sentences of imprisonments in facilities that are safe, human, and provide re-entry programming.

 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction is a unified system; all sentenced and un-sentenced offenders are supervised by the DOC. The Department also provides supervision for offenders on parole, community release, and other discretionary release programs.

 

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

 

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at alejandro.davila-hurtado@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for developing and implementing affirmative action plans and conducting other activities in an Equal Employment Opportunity program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Develops and implements affirmative action plans in an Equal Employment Opportunity program;
• Compiles and analyzes statistical affirmative action data;
• Develops and/or revises equal employment opportunity procedures;
• Defines and conducts outreach initiatives including recruitment efforts through community and minority organizations and career fairs;
• Conducts career counseling;
• Conducts discrimination complaint investigations;
• Counsels staff on equal employment opportunity matters;
• Reviews supplier contracts to ensure incorporation of affirmative action considerations;
• Prepares reports;
• Assists Equal Employment Opportunity staff with special projects;
• Assists in training activities;
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May participate in employment interviews;
• May assist in development of equal employment opportunity policy;
• May assist in monitoring agency compliance with State of Connecticut Minority and Small Contractor's Set Aside Program;
• May participate in administering affirmative action for patient, student, inmate and/or client rights programs;
• May serve as agency's ADA coordinator;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • affirmative action programs;
  • interviewing and counseling techniques;
  • merit system selection process including recruitment, examination and classification;
  • needs and issues of patients, inmates, students and/or clients;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • develop and implement affirmative action plans;
  • compile, analyze and evaluate human resources records and statistical information;
  • investigate;
  • assess and define training requirements; 
  • utilize human resources information systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in affirmative action, equal opportunity assurance or human resources management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have involved primary responsibility for affirmative action or equal opportunity assurance in an employment setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in public administration, human resources management, labor relations or a closely related field or a law degree may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• For state employees two (2) years of experience as an Equal Employment Opportunity Assistant may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience investigating complaints of discrimination;
• Experience developing and implementing an affirmative action plan;
• Experience utilizing PeopleSoft or other human resource information systems;
• Experience developing and facilitating workplace trainings both in person and virtually;
• Experience using advanced functions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook and Onedrive in a professional work setting;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities; and
• Must possess and retain a valid motor vehicle license due to travel to our state Correctional Institutions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• In accordance with Connecticut General Statute, incumbents in this class must complete five (5) hours of training during the first year of service or designation and a minimum of three (3) hours biannually thereafter. This training shall include (1) state and federal discrimination laws and (2) internal discrimination investigation techniques which will be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.