Preliminary Investigations Director

MCAD is an independent state agency whose mission is to eradicate discrimination and enforce the state’s anti-discrimination laws. MCAD may undertake a preliminary review of a complaint to determine if further investigation would serve the public interest and may dismiss a complaint at such stage, subject to the provisions set forth in the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.

The Preliminary Investigations Director is a member of the MCAD’s Investigation Division. This position will be responsible for day-to-day oversight, strategy development, and execution of Preliminary Investigations. The role provides supervision of 5-20 investigative, legal, and administrative staff. The Director will report directly to the Chief of Investigations and will be expected to carry out their duties to ensure the timely and appropriate resolution of all matters assigned to the Preliminary Investigations Unit within 30 days of filing, where practicable.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

Exercise direct and indirect supervision over Preliminary Investigations staff and the Preliminary Investigations process.

Independently identify and develop policy recommendations to address the needs of Preliminary Investigations and create strategies to ensure its successful implementation and function.

Authorize complaints for Formal Investigation in compliance with Procedural Regulations.

Approve dismissal of complaints in compliance with Procedural Regulations.

Review and approve any enforcement actions not requiring litigation, early case resolutions, Commission notices, or other acts carried out by Preliminary Investigations staff, either through direct or indirect supervision.

Provide direct or indirect supervision to the Administrative Supervisor to ensure that any complaints authorized for Formal Investigation are ready for service.

Create and maintain updated reports in the MCAD’s case management system (CCMS) to effectively track case inventory.

Generate a monthly report for the Chief of Investigations, tracking the types of cases dismissed, authorized, or in process, with clear timelines for planned resolution.

Periodically run CCMS reports from previous weeks or months to determine which cases are still pending in Preliminary Investigations.

Draft orders and memoranda as required.

Ensure all requests for withdrawal submitted within 90 days of the complaint filing are processed within seven (7) days of receipt, by appropriately delegating work to Attorney Advisors or Administrative staff.

Bring recommendations to deny early withdrawals requiring authorization for investigation to the attention of the Chief of Investigations, along with any public interest concerns.

Oversee the Substantial Weight Review process for dual-filed cases.

Resolve all pseudonym requests and ensure those cases are properly docketed if the pseudonym is granted.

Bring all cases involving conflicts of interest to the attention of the Chief of Investigations and where appropriate, advise staff on cases involving conflicts of interest.

Answer or delegate staff to answer inquiries from parties and counsel related to the status of complaints pending in Preliminary Investigations, depending on the nature of the request.

Communicate in a timely and appropriate manner with all personnel involved in the processing of complaints in Preliminary Investigations.

Refer potential litigation-related matters and Commission-initiated complaints to the Office of General Counsel after consultation with the Chief of Investigations.

Conduct legal research as needed.

Facilitate internal staff training and external constituent training as assigned.

Perform other related investigative and administrative duties and functions as required by the Commission.

Preferred Qualifications:

Significant problem-solving, consensus-building, and team-building skills.

Superior ability to communicate effectively, in written and oral presentations, the Commission's mission, goals, and objectives.

Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of anti-discrimination and labor law.

Experience working and managing personnel in a union environment.

Ability to resolve conflicts diplomatically and tactfully.

Ability to travel for job-related purposes.

Other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

All applicants must submit a resume and a cover letter addressed to Lila Roberts, Acting Chief of Investigations.

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission into the Massachusetts Bar, and at least five (5) years of full time, or equivalent part time, professional experience in the practice of law in a specialized area that is relevant to the assigned agency, of which at least one (1) year must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.