The New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) works every day to implement the city’s Human Rights Law through enforcement, education, and outreach. The Commission seeks to address historic and contemporary inequities to cultivate a city where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from discrimination.

Through training, education, and policy initiatives, the Commission aims to root out discrimination. The Commission proactively identifies patterns of discrimination through testing employers, housing providers, and providers of public accommodation. The Commission also uses investigations, litigation, and other enforcement tools to address allegations of discrimination. CCHR is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a Tester for the Law Enforcement Bureau (LEB).

Testers are hired to help make sure that people are not denied access to housing, employment or public accommodations in New York City because of their age, race, color, religion, national origin
or ancestry, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, marital or partnership status, alienage or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, unemployment status or credit history.

Testers are trained and then sent to apply for specific jobs, housing opportunities, or customer experiences with specific companies. After completing their tests, they submit detailed reports
about their experiences. The Testing Coordinator then reviews the reports to evaluate if the Testers were treated differently when they applied for a job, etc. For example, if a white tester was called
for job interview, but an equally qualified Black tester was not, it may show evidence of discrimination.

Responsibilities include:

- Acting or pretending to be prospective tenants, homeowners, job applicants or users of public accommodations to assess compliance with the New York City Human Rights Law.
- Working with the Testing Coordinator and Assistant Commissioner for Law Enforcement to ensure that people are not denied housing, employment and public accommodations in New York City because of their age, race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, marital or partnership status, alienage or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, unemployment status or credit history.
- Working collaboratively with consultants and firms the agency has contracted with in conducting tests to determine compliance with the City of New York’s Human Rights Law.
- Following specific directions given by the Testing Coordinator in acting as an applicant for jobs or housing or a user of public accommodation.
- Reporting back to the Testing Coordinator about the test. This will include writing a detailed account of the conversations and actions of the person or entity being tested.
- Participating in a debriefing by the Testing Coordinator within 24-48 hours of completing test. This may include completing an affidavit detailing the test.
- Maintain availability to meet with the Testing Coordinator whenever a test needs to be completed.
- Meeting testing/project deadlines set by the Testing Coordinator.
- Providing testimony at a deposition or at trial regarding the testing investigations.
- Participating in periodic tester training or meetings.
- Participate in training programs, conferences, and other LEB activities as requested.
- Maintain confidentiality of all testing assignments and investigative information.
- Travel within New York City as needed to complete assignments.

COMMUNITY ASSISTANT - 56056

1. There are no formal education or experience requirements for this position. However, the ability to understand and carry out simple instructions is required.
2. Candidates must be able to understand and be understood in English.

- Experience with investigations, compliance work, customer service or social justice fields is helpful but not required. - Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, detailed, and objective reports. - Strong interpersonal skills to interact naturally with housing providers and employers during a test. - Strong time management skills, including the ability to meet strict reporting and debrief deadlines. - Ability to remain neutral and unbiased, in difficult or sensitive testing situations. - Knowledge of the NYC Human Rights Law. - Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately. - Valid driver’s license. - Fluency in Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin or another language common in NYC is a plus.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.