Closing Date: 13th March, 2026
Description:
Duties: Under limited supervision of the Chief Legal Specialist, Deputy Chief Legal Specialist, Director and Deputy Director of DCR, the Legal Specialist will work to quickly and efficiently investigate cases under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA). Will investigate complaints of discrimination and bias-based harassment, including by reviewing relevant documents, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the LAD, or FCHA has been violated. Duties will also include drafting an investigation plan that identifies relevant evidence to be obtained, including witnesses to interview, conducting the relevant interviews, and summarizing relevant information; gathering and evaluating documents and other physical evidence from the parties and summarizing relevant information learned from same; facilitating settlement discussions when appropriate, and drafting, editing, and reviewing settlement agreements; drafting administrative decisions including a summary of the investigation and thorough legal analysis, including legal research, and ensuring that assigned investigations and decisions are legally sound and correctly enforce the LAD or FCHA. This position will be required to conduct investigations in a timely fashion with limited supervision and oversight, use DCR's online case management system (NJBIAS) to actively manage a caseload and move several investigations forward at the same time, and tailor all investigations only to what is relevant to the particular legal claim; performs other related duties as required. This position may also require non-traditional work hours, on an as needed basis, including evenings and weekends on short deadlines for certain assignments, with or without advance notice.Requirements:
- Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree.
- OR
- Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
- Experience: Three (3) years of experience involving legal or legislative research; drafting of rules, regulations, or amendments; and/or the interpretation of statutes.
- Note: Appointees currently matriculating in an accredited law school as an LL. B or J.D. candidate may substitute such enrollment for the three (3) years of required experience on a year-for-year basis.
- License: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
- Preference: Preference will be given to applicants who obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Same Applicants: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your Schedule A or B letter must be submitted along with your resume and any other required supporting documents indicated on the announcement by the closing date indicated below. For more information on the SAME Program please visit https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: CSC-SAME@csc.nj.gov or call CSC at (609) 292-4144, option 3.
- Resume Note: Eligibility determinations for experience and education will be based upon the resume and unofficial transcripts submitted at the time of application. Applicants who possess foreign degrees (degrees earned outside of the U.S.) are required to provide a CSC approved evaluation indicating the U.S. equivalency, with a course-by-course breakdown, prior to the closing date (see CSC foreign degree information). Failure to do so may result in disqualification of your education towards eligibility.
All offers of employment are
conditional subject to the applicant agreeing to and then passing a
background check that may include fingerprinting.