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Human Rights And Opportunities Trainee

Hybrid

Recruitment # 251114-4776SH-001

Location Hartford, CT

Date Opened 11/19/2025 12:00:00 AM

Salary $57,625 - $72,787/year (Individuals New to State employment start at the minimum of the range.)

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 12/1/2025 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

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+ Introduction

Are you interested in starting a career with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you!

The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO (https://portal.ct.gov/CHRO) ) – is currently recruiting for one (1) Human Rights and Opportunities Trainee (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=4776SH&R1=&R3=) that will function in a hybrid capacity serving both the Affirmative Action Unit and the Contract Compliance Unit in Hartford, CT.

Please note: applications to this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in this job class at any of the four CHRO Regional Offices located in Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport and Norwich or in the Executive Office in Hartford.

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education.

The Affirmative Action Unit (https://portal.ct.gov/chro/affirmative-action/affirmative-action) has the responsibility to review affirmative action plans submitted by executive branch agencies.

The Contract Compliance Unit (https://portal.ct.gov/chro/contract-compliance/contract-compliance/contract-compliance) has the responsibility to review, monitor and enforce the equal opportunity, affirmative action, and contract compliance laws of the State as they apply to contractors (including subcontractors and suppliers to contractors) who do business with the State.

In this role, we will have you learn on the job to develop the tools needed to become a Human Rights and Opportunities Representative (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=4778SH&R1=&R3=) at the end of a two-year training program.

Position Highlights: PCN 136079

CHRO has a current opportunity for a Human Rights and Opportunities Trainee in our Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Units located at 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford, CT. This is a full time, first shift position, working 40 hours per week

What we can offer you:

+ View our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!

+ Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.

+ A healthy work-life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) 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 (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) for more information.

Human Rights and Opportunities Trainees will be trained to:

+ Assist with community engagement programs;

+ Assist with education and outreach;

+ Assist with Agency’s training programs;

+ Assist with the development and maintenance of the Executive Internship Program;

+ Develop, review, implement and monitor specific remedies, programs and projects designed to promote equal opportunity, affirmative action and intergroup relations;

+ Develop cooperative law enforcement and compliance liaison activities and community organizations, business and federal, state and local government agencies;

+ Investigate discriminatory practices and complaints;

+ Perform enforcement and investigative work of gradually increasing responsibilities;

+ Perform enforcement and investigative work of gradually increasing responsibilities;

+ Perform intake duties, which includes drafting Affidavits;

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en\_US) 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 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , 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 [email protected].

+ 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 Rocky Young at [email protected]

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities this class is accountable for successfully completing a planned training program in civil rights law enforcement and investigative techniques while performing enforcement and investigative work with gradually increasing responsibility.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

+ Collaborates with community partners and participates in outreach and community events to educate the public and promote agency services;

+ Perform intake duties, which include drafting Affidavits;

+ Attend mandatory in person and virtual CHRO meetings and trainings as assigned;

+ Receives training in investigation of discriminatory practices complaints, review of affirmative action plans, compliance review of contractors doing business with the state and systemic enforcement activities;

+ Receives training in development, review, implementation and monitoring of specific remedies, programs and projects designed to promote equal opportunity, affirmative action and intergroup relations;

+ Receives training in development of cooperative law enforcement and compliance liaison activities with community organizations, business and federal, state and local governmental agencies;

+ Receives training in other related areas as required;

+ Performs enforcement and investigative work of gradually increasing responsibilities;

+ Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

+ Knowledge of

+ causes of discrimination and its social and economic impact on protected classes;

+ interviewing principles and techniques;

+ Skills

+ interpersonal skills;

+ oral and written communication skills;

+ organizational skills;

+ analytical skills;

+ Ability to

+ read, understand and apply statutes, regulations, legal theories and policies to a given set of facts;

+ follow oral and written instructions;

+ prepare reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of experience involving the protection of human rights and examination of social problems of protected classes.

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ Experience conducting, preparing and writing investigative reports or summaries based on the analysis of evidence and documentation

+ Experience making a determination based on finding of facts and law

+ Experience interpreting and applying state and federal laws, state agency regulations and/or policies

+ Time Management and Organizational Skills

+ Experience completing assignments with conflicting deadlines while meeting production and quality expectations

+ Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, TEAMS)

+ Experience with PeopleSoft or CORE Systems

+ Experience working with the members of the public, Attorneys and/or Mediators

+ Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds

+ Experience performing outreach or community engagement activities

+ Experience or exposure to Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), or Contract Compliance.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online