Hiring Fair Housing Investigator/Counselor

The Fair Housing Investigator will be responsible for assisting in developing and implementing Long Island Housing Services’ (LIHS) fair housing enforcement activities in conjunction with other Fair Housing Program staff.  Experience in writing, interviewing, advocacy, investigations, public speaking, training and supervision is required.  Salary $46,500 plus benefits

Long Island Housing Services is an over 50-year-old civil rights 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on fair housing.  The importance of this work is regularly recognized in the media, including charting on the City and State magazine’s Long Island Power 100 for the last 2 years.  This position works directly on the enforcement of fair housing laws thereby helping our Long Island neighbors to overcome housing discrimination to achieve the housing of their choice.

Qualifications:

  • Commitment to equal housing opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion/creed, sex (gender), familial status (families with children under 18 years of age), handicap/disability (mental and physical), marital status, age (over 18), military status, veteran status, ethnicity, sexual orientation or source of income.
  • An ability to perceive housing issues from a legalistic perspective, and to express ideas and facts in writing and verbally.
  • Personal composure and willingness to conduct public speaking and testify in court.
  • An ability to relate comfortably and effectively with respect and tact to people of all races, lifestyles, and economic levels.
  • Strong written, verbal, mathematical and word processing (min 40 WPM) skills. Working familiarity with Excel, Word, and Internet required.
  • Punctuality and willingness to work occasional weekends or evenings.
  • Highly organized and ability to multi-task.
  • Self-starting and ability to work with minimal supervision. Congeniality with fellow workers is essential.
  • Commitment to Civil Rights and the agency’s mission to eliminate unlawful housing discrimination, promote racial and economic integration, decent and affordable housing.
  • Personal/reliable transportation and willingness to travel in Nassau and Suffolk are required.

Must demonstrate their ability to meet the transportation needs of this job.

 Duties will include the following:

  • Intake interviews, counseling related to fair housing issues.
  • Investigate allegations of housing discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age (over 18), sex, color, marital status, disability, familial status, handicap/disability (mental and physical), veteran status, military status, ethnicity, sexual orientation and source of income.
  • Design and implement fair housing tests and projects for investigating real estate, lending, and/or insurance practices on Long Island and promoting agency’s mission.
  • Recruit and train testers, coordinate and conduct tests, and debrief testers to ensure integrity of fair housing investigations.
  • Analyze test results and prepare written reports for each investigation or project as directed.
  • Coordinate additional investigative activities needed to accurately determine whether discrimination has occurred and secure adequate evidence for enforcement action.
  • Prepare press release and reports in cooperation with the Program staff on the progress of fair housing enforcement projects.
  • As necessary, conduct work for judicial or administrative action (e.g., complaint writing, interviewing witnesses, gathering and analyzing evidence, and testifying).
  • Participate in professional seminars, conferences, training, and other continuing education programs or assignments which may require distance travel outside of Long Island.

How to Apply: Send resume by email (No Calls or Faxes, please!):
Email to: Marian D. Reid, Deputy Director, Long Island Housing Services, Inc., Marian@LIFairHousing.org noting “Fair Housing Investigator” in the subject line.

LIHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.