Duane Earl Tobias
Washington,United States
Summary
Compliance and equity executive with 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in civil rights enforcement, grant oversight, higher education operations, and legal strategy. Adept at leading complex investigations, crafting policy and regulatory guidance, managing federal program audits, and facilitating compliance with EEO, Title IX, ADA, and other anti-discrimination mandates. Known for cross-sector collaboration, risk mitigation, data-driven decision-making, and high-integrity reporting—especially in service of underserved communities and equity-centered missions.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Equal Opportunity Specialist (Adjudicator)
Department of Transportation
10.2024 - Current
- Serve as senior adjudicator for the Complaints Adjudication and Program Evaluation Division.
- Draft, review, and issue Final Agency Decisions (FADs) on complex discrimination complaints filed against DOT nationwide.
- Evaluate case files and investigative reports; apply legal analysis to determine findings of fact and conclusions of law.
- Interpret and apply EEO regulations, federal case law, and DOT policy to determine appropriate resolution and remedies.
- Recommend and develop EEO policy guidance and case strategies that may have Department-wide impact.
- Conduct research and legal interpretation of emerging EEO issues; remain current on federal and administrative law trends.
- Provide authoritative guidance to colleagues and stakeholders on FAD preparation, policy interpretation, and regulatory adherence.
- Maintain confidentiality and ensure impartial, equitable complaint resolution in accordance with 29 CFR 1614.
Adjunct Professor
Howard Univeristy
08.2020 - Current
- Taught Criminology courses, providing instruction to up to 30 undergraduate students. class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Created materials and exercises to illustrate application of course concepts.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Developed curriculum standards, lesson plans and syllabi.
Equal Opportunity Specialist
National Archives and Records Administration
07.2020 - 09.2024
- Serve as a technical representative for the EEO office on issues relating to discrimination complaints and harassment allegations
- Ensures EEO program goals and objectives are met pursuant to EEO laws, regulations, policies, and directives
- Develop and recommend effective EEO policies to help mitigate and eliminate discriminatory practices
- Establishes internal operating procedures to help address highly complex equal opportunity issues, processes, and systems
- Identifies EEO areas of concern, recommends solutions, and drafts specific action items to address the concerns
- Provide managers and employees with information and interpretations of NARA's EEO policies, procedures, and guidelines when there is potential for controversy or the issues addressed involve more than one area of EEO policy
- Review, analyze, and develop new procedures, policies, and guidelines for use within a major agency segment, such as the EEO office
- Prepares and updates EEO policy statements, NARA Directive 395, and other EEO materials for the distribution and understanding of the workforce
- Prepares case analysis in response to discrimination complaints
- Review and evaluate programs to assess if they meet the EEO program's basic goals and objectives
- Analyzes agency policies and programs, which are not typically susceptible to the case review approach
- Gather and analyze data from a variety of sources to develop required annual reports
- Provide technical expertise on the Agency's EEO complaint process pursuant to 29 CFR 1614 and MD 110
Assistant Professor
American University
05.2018 - 08.2023
- Assistant Professor - School of Public Affairs
- Courses Taught: JCL - 430 Deprivation of Liberty, JCL - 440 Inside Out, JCL - 455 Race Issues and Justice, JCL - 638 Race Issues in America (Graduate Course)
DIVERSITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General
04.2019 - 12.2019
- Serves as Diversity and Inclusion (DI) program specialist for USDA, OIG and liaison on DI issues for the Director and EEO Specialist, Special Emphasis Program Managers, Affinity Groups/External Partnerships, Employee Resource Groups, CR/EEO Committee, and mentoring/coaching and change management programs with Human Resources, Training Branch and Civil Rights
- Managed the communication planning, reporting and conducting barrier analysis required under MD-715
- Researched, analyzed and interpreted Federal Equal Employment regulations (MD 110 & MD 715)
- Directed the gathering, maintenance, and reporting of information and statistics concerning the employment profile of the regional workforce as compared to the Civilian Labor Force
- Developed recommendations action plans for senior leadership to eliminate identified barriers
- Prepared the annual MD-715 plan/update, communicating the agency's priorities for achieving a model EEO program
- Conducted data analysis, surveys, and assessments to identify barriers in all major personnel areas and actions
- Assisted in the development of strategies to train the workforce regarding diversity management principles
- Communicated allegations of discrimination to DCR Director and EEO Specialists and explained the ADR program to employees
- Assisted in the data input for the complaints data management system
- Developed and implemented strategies for managing Special Emphasis Programs
- Drafted new policies or updating existing ones as new laws are passed, or as court cases or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) decisions lead to new legislative interpretations that impacted OIG polices
- Compiled, extracted and analyzed reports and briefings such as the Federal Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) and State of the Agency report to the Inspector General
DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY INCLUSION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/TITLE IX COORDINATOR
Daniel Morgan Graduate School
04.2017 - 05.2018
- Led internal & cross-functional teams and spearheaded initiatives to foster a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and multiculturalism throughout the University
- Provided leadership and guidance on the investigatory process, policies, and procedures relating to Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), reasonable accommodations under the ADA & IDEA, employment claims of discrimination and harassment, claims of sexual harassment consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and sexual discrimination claims consistent with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and the Clery Act
- Served as manager and subject matter expert for ADA, IDEA, Title VII, Title IX complaints and investigations
- Improved compliance of Title VII, Title IX, ADA, IDEA and Rehabilitation Act by training, educating and advising university administrators, faculty, staff, and students on achieving statutory compliance, interpreting regulations, suggesting policies, and distributing literature on compliant procedures
- Oversaw the implementation of the most up-to-date University ADA and Title IX compliance programs
- Ensured workplace compliance with Title VII and all applicable employment laws related to equal opportunity to include non-discriminatory practices in its hiring and promotion, as well as decisions regarding access to training
- Oversaw team of that counseled and investigated complaints arising under federal and/or state equal opportunity and non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, IDEA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Prepared monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports for publication as required by the Clery Act
- Reviewed Reports of Investigation (ROI), as well as follow up communication with all parties involved once the investigation had concluded to ensure appropriate resolution
- Conducted pre-complaint counseling and produced adequate counseling reports within the regulated timelines
- Collected, analyzed, and prepared accurate records using complaint data related to Title VII and Title XI allegations
- Recommended corrective action for policy violations or other problems identified to include additional training, reversing a hiring or promotion decision and implementing termination procedures
- Ensured efficient effective execution of D&I initiatives by leveraging data, providing tools and sharing best practices with Senior Leadership
Assistant Director of Admissions/Diversity and Inclusion
The Catholic University of America
08.2013 - 04.2017
- Led admissions, recruitment, diversity, and enrollment initiatives
- Utilized creative approaches to market programs via the ACES 2 database; served as the liaison to pre-law advisors at other colleges and universities; conducted Admissions information workshops
- Managed and evaluated applications to the M.L.S., J.D., and LL.M
- Programs
- Served as liaison to affinity groups and encouraged weekly meetings between faculty and students to address issues of diversity
- Improved inclusivity and increased faculty's utilization of diversity in classroom instruction, increasing the overall student satisfaction by developing a Diversity & Inclusion Council so that students would have a safe place to discuss issues of diversity
- Represented University at LSAC- sponsored Law School Forums and other law school fairs
- Increased enrollment of international students by developing cultural patterns and country profiles for integration into the annual comprehensive recruitment strategic plan
Assistant Director of Admissions
The University of the District of Columbia
03.2010 - 08.2013
- Maintained a mission-oriented and applicant-friendly office environment; reviewed applications and relevant supporting materials in ACES 2
- Recruited and trained student volunteers to assist in recruitment at colleges, universities, and national admissions event, including law fairs and LSAC-sponsored Law School Forums
- Supervised admissions staff and work-study student staff
- Compiled reports on admissions office programs based on national admission trends and relevant data
- Increased student recruitment and admissions by developing initiatives and marketing strategies in collaboration with the Dean of Admissions
- Collected, analyzed and produced statistical data on applicant pool, admissions and enrollment for internal reports
- Successfully promoted the School of Law's admission objectives by developing relationships with external organizations
Law School Academic Coordinator
The American Bar Association Council on Legal Education Opportunity
01.2005 - 03.2010
- Recruited qualified diverse applicants for admissions to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program
- Developed CLEO Six-Week Summer Institute academic curriculum
- Implemented and coordinated ongoing D&I support programs designed to enhance program participant's academic performance
- Utilized evaluative tools to measure support program effectiveness
- Managed financial assistance awards process to CLEO Fellows
- Provided mentorship and guidance to more than 1,357 law students enrolled in the CLEO program
- Developed and oversaw annual diversity career fair and professional development seminar
Litigation Associate
Woska & Hayes LLP
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Represented clients in Administrative and local court proceedings involving securities fraud
- Developed legal strategies with other staff attorneys, clients, and expert witnesses
- Prepared pleadings, discovery documents, pretrial motions and briefs
- Successfully managed a docket of 75 cases, while settling 80% of these cases prior to reaching court ordered ADR
- Represented advised, counseled, and assisted clients in understanding arbitration procedures
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Tyler County Criminal District Attorney's Office
05.2000 - 01.2003
- Oversaw and managed all domestic violence prosecutions as well as the Violence Against Women Special Prosecution Unit
- Created and managed the crime victims' coordination team
- Efficiently managed and supervised extensive criminal docket
- Compiled statistical data to write grants supporting county programs and ensured that the county received continued grant support from the appropriate state agencies
- Drafted criminal complaints and motions; conducted felony and misdemeanor jury and bench trials; secured grand jury indictments; handled plea negotiations
- Advised the County governing body on various state statutes that affected the day to day operations of the county
- Conducted settlement negotiations
- Interviewed and selected jurors to verify competency and lack of biases, presenting challenges for cause to dismiss unfit candidates.
- Drafted motions, petitions and waivers.
- Developed strategies for court proceedings and negotiations.
Education
Doctorate degree - Law
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Houston, TX05.2000
Bachelor's degree - Political Science, Pyschology
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA05.1997
Skills
- Compliance Auditing & Internal Controls
- Grant Oversight & Expense Verification
- Risk Management & Corrective Action
- Financial reporting
- Regulatory compliance analysis
- Legal & Policy Writing
- Program Evaluation & Data Tracking
- Stakeholder Engagement & Partner Training
- DEI Strategy & Implementation
- Crisis Response & Investigations
- Employment law
- Policy analysis
- Investigation techniques
Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas - Member
- Law School Diversity Professionals - Board Member
- LSAC Minority Network - Board Member
Job Related Training
- Admitted to Practice Law - State Bar of Texas, 2000
- Certified Mediator - Harris County Dispute Resolution Center, 2004
- Certified Counselor & Investigator - Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), 2017
- Special Emphasis Program Management - Graduate School USA, 2019
- MD 715 Training - National Image Training, 2019
- EEOC - Drafting Letters of Acceptance and Dismissal Training, 2020
- EEOC - New Investigator Training, 2020
- EEOC - Drafting Final Agency Actions
- EEOC Excel Conference
- PRISM Training
- COR Training
- DRUPAL Web Training
Certification
- State Bar of Texas – Current Member
- Law School Diversity Professionals – Former Board Member
- LSAC Minority Network – Former Board Member
- Certified Mediator – Harris County Dispute Resolution Center
- Certified Title IX Counselor & Investigator – ATIXA
- MD-715 & MD-110 Compliance Training – EEOC
- Federal Final Agency Decision Writing – EEOC
- Special Emphasis Program Management – Graduate School USA
Timeline
Equal Opportunity Specialist (Adjudicator)
Department of Transportation
10.2024 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Howard Univeristy
08.2020 - Current
Equal Opportunity Specialist
National Archives and Records Administration
07.2020 - 09.2024
DIVERSITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General
04.2019 - 12.2019
Assistant Professor
American University
05.2018 - 08.2023
DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY INCLUSION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/TITLE IX COORDINATOR
Daniel Morgan Graduate School
04.2017 - 05.2018
Assistant Director of Admissions/Diversity and Inclusion
The Catholic University of America
08.2013 - 04.2017
Assistant Director of Admissions
The University of the District of Columbia
03.2010 - 08.2013
Law School Academic Coordinator
The American Bar Association Council on Legal Education Opportunity
01.2005 - 03.2010
Litigation Associate
Woska & Hayes LLP
01.2003 - 01.2005
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Tyler County Criminal District Attorney's Office
05.2000 - 01.2003
Bachelor's degree - Political Science, Pyschology
Xavier University of Louisiana
Doctorate degree - Law
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
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