The City of Albany is seeking applications from qualified residents of the City of Albany for the following position:
Title of Position
Member, Albany Commission on Human Rights – One (1) opening.
Term of Appointment
Appointment is for two-year term.
City of Albany Commission on Human Rights
The City of Albany is a community rich in ethnic, racial, cultural and religious diversity. Such diversity contributes to the social fabric of our City and should be celebrated and respected. The Common Council finds that an independent Commission on Human Rights, firmly grounded in local law, can help foster an atmosphere of respect and celebration of our diversity. In adopting this local law the Common Council also reaffirms the goals and objectives of the Omnibus Human Rights Law, as set forth in Article III of Chapter 48 of this Code, which seeks to assure that the residents of our City are safeguarded against all forms of discrimination in violation of state and local law. It is the intent of the Common Council that the Commission on Human Rights herein established shall actively work to advance the goals and objectives of this part and Article III of Chapter 48 of this Code.
Position Responsibilities/Duties:
Individuals appointed to the Commission on Human Rights will attend no less than six meetings per year and shall establish a regular meeting calendar which is readily accessible to the public.
The Commission, by its members or their duly authorized officers or employees, shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
(1) To foster mutual respect and understanding among all persons and racial, religious and nationality groups in the community;
(2) To make such studies in any field of human relationship in the community as in the judgment of the Commission will aid in effectuating its general purposes;
(3) To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious and nationality groups, and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate such tensions and conflict;
(4) To conduct and recommend such educational programs as, in the judgment of the Commission, will increase goodwill among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants;
(5) To report complaints to the New York State Division of Human Rights alleging unlawful discriminatory practices under Article 15 of the Executive Law;
(6) To receive, accept and expend public grants for the purposes of effectuating the provisions of this part.
(7) To make recommendations as necessary and appropriate to the Mayor and the Common Council to effectuate the goals and purposes of this part.
The Commission, by its members or their duly authorized officers or employees, shall have the following general obligations:
(1) To receive and resolve complaints of alleged discrimination filed in accordance with Article III of Chapter 48 (Omnibus Human Rights Law) of this Code. The Commission may seek the active assistance of the State Division of Human Rights in the resolution of such complaints but shall not abdicate its responsibility for resolution of complaints filed with the Commission;
(2) To hold conferences and other public meetings in the interest of the constructive resolution of racial, religious and nationality group tensions and the prejudice and discrimination occasioned thereby;
(3) To issue such publications and reports of investigations as in its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of this part;
(4) To enlist the cooperation and participation of the various racial, religious and nationality groups, community organizations, industry and labor organizations, media or mass communication, fraternal and benevolent associations and other groups in an educational campaign devoted to fostering among the diverse groups of the community mutual esteem, justice and equity and opening new opportunities into all phases of community life for all individuals; and
(5) To encourage and stimulate City of Albany agencies and departments to take such action as will fulfill the purposes of this part.
Statutory Authority:
Sec. 1 Chapter 42 of the Code of the City of Albany, Part 36.
Application Requirement:
Interested applicants must submit a letter of interest describing qualifications and a current resume to:
City of Albany Office of the Mayor
Attn: Sarah Kampf, Special Projects Coordinator
24 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
Email Sarah Kampf
Applicants will be interviewed
Deadline for applications: Close of businesses, Friday, December 16, 2022
Policy Statement
The Office of the Mayor is committed to assuring that its appointments to City boards, authorities or commissions is representative of the diversity of Albany’s population. Consistent with the City of Albany Human Rights Law, it is the policy of the Office of the Mayor to prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, marital or domestic partner status in all aspects of its personnel policies, programs, practices and operations