Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

This position is eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.    

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

Reporting to the Chief Diversity, EEO and Inclusivity Officer, the DCDIO, DEO plans, develops, directs, and manages diversity strategies for all agency MTA-wide Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Title VI Programs. Provides supervision and coaching to the professional and administrative staff within the Department of Diversity and Civil Rights with EEO, Title VI and Diversity Initiatives responsibilities

Under the direction of the Chief Diversity, EEO and Inclusivity Officer, the DCDIO, DEO develops reports and makes presentations pertaining to all agency MTA-wide equal opportunity compliance statistics to the Diversity Committee of the MTA Board of Directors. Daily fiduciary duties of the DCDIO, DEO include the administration of state and federally mandated programs and activities to ensure inclusion and nondiscrimination and the review, monitoring and audit of all agency MTA -wide activities to ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory and policy requirements as they relate to equal opportunity.

The DCDIO provides assistance, support, and guidance as needed to the CDIO and day-to-day supervision to the Agency Chiefs with direct responsibility for the Title VI and Title VII activity within the MTA’s operational divisions to assure full compliance with all relevant regulations.  

The DCDIO is responsible for keeping the CDIO advised about relevant activity in the DCDIO’s areas of oversight responsibility, including the status of projects, requests for support, legislative and regulatory developments, and other matters.  The DCDIO is also responsible for keeping leadership in the following areas advised about relevant activity in the DCDIO’s areas of oversight responsibility: MTA Administration; MTA Integrated Business Functions; and (together with the MTA Legal Counsel) MTA Operations, including the status of projects, requests for legal review or support, legislative and regulatory developments, and other matters.

Responsibilities:

• Fundamental duties and tasks of the DCDIO, DEO:
  • Advise the Chief Diversity, EEO and Inclusivity Officer on matters of policy, requirements and best practices to advance Inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in all MTA activities, programs and services.
  • Provide briefings to the Chief Diversity, EEO and Inclusivity Officer, and Diversity Committee of the MTA’s Board to communicate compliance status with state and federally mandated non-discrimination laws and regulations and to obtain Board approval to forward updated MTA-wide Equal Employment Opportunity and Title VI Programs to the FTA.
  • Serve as a key advisor and resource to MTA constituent Agency’s Chief Equal Opportunity Officers for the review and update of their respective EEO and Title VI programs.   Collect and aggregate data from the MTA constituent Agencies to prepare and develop the MTA Agency-wide EEO and Title VI programs to be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration. Coordinate MTA-wide initiatives and activities to ensure a harassment/bias-free work environment.
  • Work closely with Capital Programs, Planning, Human Resources, Legal, Government and Community Relations, Operations and other applicable areas and stakeholders to ensure that MTA programs, services and benefits are distributed in an equitable manner.
  • Consult with Agency Chief Equal Opportunity Officers, Legal, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Procurement, Government and Community Relations, Planning and other relevant departments regarding policies, practices and programs within the oversight of the CDIO, DEO.
  • Under the direction of the MTA Chief Diversity, EEO and Inclusivity Officer serve as internal advocate and external point of contact with Title VI stakeholders, public interest organizations and community boards to meet Federal LEP requirements. Work on an on-going basis with MTA agencies to provide overall direction and establish uniformity of all Title VI submittals to the FTA and adherence to Title VI compliance as outlined in FTA Circular 4703.1
  • Under the direction of the MTA Chief Diversity, EEO and Inclusivity Officer, serve as internal advocate and FTA liaison for update and administration of the MTA-wide EEO Program. Monitor, and as necessary, coordinate EEO compliance activities of constituent MTA Agencies to remain abreast of the status of MTA agency-wide EEO activities and trends. Provide overall direction and establish uniformity of all EEO submittals to the FTA and adherence to EEO compliance as outlined in FTA Circular 4704.1A.
  • Under the direction of the Chief Diversity, EEO and Inclusivity Officer, provide direction and guidance to Agency Chief Equal Opportunity Officers regarding MTA-wide initiatives, strategies, and updates of their EEO and Title VI programs.   Direct and manage the compilation, analysis and evaluation of data about the composition of MTA constitute agencies workforce and communicates the format for uniform data collection and reporting.
  • Identify potential areas of MTA-wide EEO and Title VI compliance vulnerability and risk; facilitates conversations (and meetings) with constituent Agency EO Officers to develop and implement consistent practices for addressing areas of concern; and provides oversight for uniform handling of EEO and Title VI compliance processes.
  • Monitor and track agency-wide responses to allegations of discrimination.   Provide executive oversight for the DDCR pool of investigators.
  • Participate, as necessary, in legal proceedings, giving depositions and serving as a witness on matters pertaining to litigation of allegations of discrimination.
  • Other duties as assigned.
• The essential duties listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any position or limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.
• Executive oversight of programmatic responsibilities of the DCDIO:
  • Advance a culture that defines “Equal Opportunity” as inclusion, diversity, equity and access for employees, customers, vendors, contractors and communities and embrace equal opportunity as an integral part of MTA decision making. Coordinate and leads the development of a multi-pronged equal opportunity strategy that supports a transforming organization with a high performing workforce that accomplishes operational excellence.
  • Identify and implement key initiatives that prioritize equal opportunity as the cornerstone to hiring, developing, and retaining a premier workforce.
  • Develop, update, secure approval and implement all aspects of the MTA Agency-wide EEO and Title VI Programs.
  • Develop and prepare updates of MTA Agency-wide nondiscrimination and anti-harassment Policies and ensure dissemination of Policies to employees and recruitment sources on an annual basis.
  • Assess and determine which job groups are underrepresented and develop goals for achieving equitable MTA-wide workforce representation.
  • Monitor and track MTA-wide of investigation and resolution of EEO and Title VI complaints.  Provide executive oversight for the DDCR pool of Equal Opportunity investigators.
  • Work in conjunction with the MTA’s Operating Agency Chief EO Officers and their EO staffs to ensure a harassment/bias-free work environment and that disparities do not exist on the basis of race, color, national origin, low-income, minority or Limited English Proficiency (LEP) status in the types, quantity, quality or timeless of program services, aids or benefits provide by the MTA.
  • Assist management in collecting and analyzing employment data, identifying problem areas, setting goals and timetables, and developing strategies to achieve goals.
  • Stay informed about ongoing movement, both locally and nationally, in the relevant policies, procedures, advisories and laws, and adjust MTA policies and procedures when necessary
  • Design, implement and monitor internal audit and reporting systems to measure program effectiveness and to determine where progress has been made and where proactive action is needed.
  • Review the goals, strategies and initiatives related with the MTA Agency-wide’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Title VI Programs with all supervisory staff to ensure that they are accurately understood.
  • In conjunction with Human Resources, Legal and Labor Relations periodically review employment practices, policies (e.g. hiring, promotions, training), complaint policies, reasonable accommodations policies, performance evaluations, grievance procedures, and union agreements.
  • Report quarterly to the MTA CDIO on each department’s progress in relation to the agency’s goals and on contractor and vendor compliance.
  • Serve as a liaison for MTA HQ and Federal, State, county and local governments; regulatory agencies; community groups representing minorities, women and persons with disabilities and others on matters pertaining to Equal Employment Opportunity and Title VI compliance
  • Maintain awareness of current EEO laws and regulations and ensure the laws and regulations affecting nondiscrimination are disseminated to responsible personnel.
  • Review and monitor Equal Opportunity investigative reports, including final approval determinations and closure of complaints. 
  • In conjunction with Human Resources, advise employees and applicants of available training programs and professional development opportunities and the entrance requirements.
  • Audit postings of the EEO policy statement to ensure compliance information is posted and up to date.
  • Ensure that for MTA Agency-wide frontline supervisors/managers and employees receive Title VI training and are aware of MTA’s Language Assistance Plan.
  • Responsible for special projects for the CDIO at the discretion of the MTA CDIO.
  • Manage, support, and participate in the hiring, training, and development of DDCR EO staff. Conduct performance reviews and disciplinary actions.  Ensure that the workplace is a professional environment in which individual differences are respected, and employees have an opportunity to develop and contribute to their full potential.
  • Participate in and support the development and implementation of special policy and program initiatives to address high level issues within DDCR and across the MTA. Draft, review, and provide guidance, support, and coordination as needed for legislative proposals, internal and external audits and investigations, financial reports, and MTA board and committee functions such as staff summaries.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to advise, counsel, and encourage senior level managers, executives and stakeholders to make policy changes and decisions that support diversity and ensure equal employment opportunity.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships.
• Advanced facilitation, mediation, advocacy and interpersonal skills to cope with conflicting points of view, function under pressure while demonstrating integrity, fair-mindedness and a persuasive, confident persona.
• Demonstrated proficiency with program design and project management, working under tight deadlines to achieve short and long-term goals as required.  Strong analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to work independently, effectively and comfortably in a team oriented, fast paced environment both within the agency and across agencies.

Required Education and Experience:

• BA/BS from an accredited college in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. 
• Minimum 13 years’ experience in directing and managing Diversity, EEO/Title VI Programs.
• Strong knowledge of Federal, State, city and local laws governing nondiscrimination of employees, applicants, and contractors and mitigation of disproportionate impact/burden to communities.

The Following is/are preferred:

• MBA in Business, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.