[NFBWATLK] Job Announcement: Associate Director, Equal Opportunity Office & Deputy Title IX Coordinator, WWU, posted June 21, 2018

[Nightingale, Noel]

http://employment.wwu.edu/cw/en-us/job/495860/associate-director-equal-opportunity-office-deputy-title-ix-coordinator



Associate Director, Equal Opportunity Office & Deputy Title IX Coordinator



Apply now Work type: Permanent Full Time

Location: Bellingham, WA

Categories: Academic Affairs



Position Title: Associate Director, Equal Opportunity Office & Deputy Title IX Coordinator



About the University



Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 83,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master’s-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2017 U.S. News & World Report rankings.



About the Department



The Equal Opportunity Office serves faculty, staff, and students in ensuring that the campus climate is free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. The Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity also serves as the Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, and reports to the Provost administratively and to the President for Affirmative Action purposes.



The Equal Opportunity Office supports Western’s mission to bring together individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives in an inclusive, student-centered university that develops the potential of learners and the well-being of communities, and encourages applications from diverse candidates.



About the Position



As our Associate Director you will be responsible for Title IX investigations, supervising investigators, and case management. This senior position is instrumental in implementing and monitoring the university’s Equal Opportunity (EO) and Affirmative Action (AA) programs and works closely with campus administrative offices to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, guidelines and university policies regarding EO and AA, under the direction of the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity. You will perform highly responsible and complex professional duties and designs, develops and manages specialized programs for Western’s affirmative action/equal opportunity/Title IX programs. The Associate Director, Equal Opportunity Office & Deputy Title IX Coordinator reports to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity.



Your Responsibilities/Duties:



•Serves as principal advisor to Vice Provost. Provides confidential executive level advice and assistance to the Vice Provost on planning and policy issues and assists in managing, analyzing, tracking and resolving important issues and undertaking special projects and requests from the President, Provost, Deans and Vice Presidents. This position has responsibility for short- and long-term planning by providing advice, assistance and recommendations to the Vice Provost.

•Provides leadership and direction on implementing Office for Civil Rights federal guidance on Title IX, and serves as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator. These responsibilities are critical to the development, implementation, and monitoring of meaningful efforts to comply with legislation, updated guidance, and case law. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator monitors university-wide policies and discrimination complaints and incidents falling under Title IX, in order to continuously assess and ensure the university’s educational component and policies and procedures on Title IX are in compliance and are responsive to complainants and respondents. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator undertakes Title IX investigations and monitors and coordinates responses to reports of sexual violence with other University offices including University Police, University Residences, CASAS, and the Counseling Center.

•Receives and addresses complaints concerning alleged discriminatory behavior based on legally protected characteristics from university employees and students. Assists the Vice Provost with the direction and evaluation of applicable complaint resolution processes pertaining to intake, investigation and resolution. Conducts objective and timely investigations of formal complaints filed internally or externally with state or federal enforcement agencies, from intake to final written report, utilizing the university equal opportunity discrimination complaint procedure in order to meet federal, state and university compliance guidelines. Whenever possible, informally resolves complaints through mediation, negotiation and other conflict resolution techniques. Develops and provides training and/or follow-up guidance relative to complaint resolution. Develops and oversees case management for complaints and analyzes complaint trends.

•Has oversight for the development, monitoring and update of the university’s federal Affirmative Action Plans, state requirements, Veterans Reports, and additional reports/documents/ publications in order to meet compliance requirements by: ◦Analyzing and interpreting quantitative data and developing narrative and statistical reports regarding workforce analysis, new hires, personnel actions and adverse impact, to identify employment trends, affirmative action goals, and hiring practices.

•Works collaboratively with partners in other university departments to deliver a variety of programs to meet the unique needs of the campus community. Provides useful data and information to university leadership on topics including, but not limited to: recruiting a diverse work force, Title IX implementation, discrimination complaints.

•Conducts climate assessments of University departments to understand and develop informed strategies for addressing equal opportunity issues. Conducts one-on-one interviews with employees; drafts reports and findings; works with relevant parties to remedy and prevent actions negatively impacting the equal opportunity climate.

•Assesses, develops, and implements equal opportunity, affirmative action, and diversity-related training for faculty, staff and students and provides customized intervention or facilitation with individuals and groups on topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX implementation, discrimination complaint procedures, and equitable work place behaviors.

•Monitors all applicable federal and state laws and agency guidance regarding equal opportunity (in employment and education) and affirmative action, stays current on all EO and AA federal and state reporting requirements to ensure compliance with state and federal law and guidance and advises the Vice Provost. Assists the Vice Provost in ensuring compliance by reviewing/developing/revising/ interpreting applicable university EO and AA policies/procedures, conducting research on EO and AA case law, and reviewing best practices/procedures.

•Additional responsibilities include:



◦This position has oversight for the IX investigations and informal resolutions and has supervisory authority for the Title IX Investigator, as well as for the half-time administrative position that supports Title IX efforts.

◦This position may have additional supervisory responsibilities for staff, including temporary staff, student employees, and interns.

◦This position assists the Vice Provost in recruiting, training, and mentoring staff in the Equal Opportunity Office, setting priorities, reviewing and distributing work, and evaluating performance.

◦This position manages work flow and priorities for Title IX Investigations and Title IX informal resolutions, and serves as Case Manager for Title IX Issues.

◦This position keeps the Vice Provost, who has ultimate authority for managing overall work flow and office priorities, informed of work assignments.

◦This position monitors the EO Office budget and provides bi-monthly updates to the Vice Provost. This position is an authorized budget authority, and has signatory authority on documents requiring financial expenditures.

◦This position is a major contributor to EO Office short-term and long-term strategic planning and EO Office objectives and provides advice, assistance and recommendations to the Vice Provost, including analyzing and forecasting budget development and human resource needs of the EO Office.

◦In the Vice Provost’s absence, this position represents the Vice Provost and manages the EO Office.



Required Qualifications



•Graduate Degree and five years of experience in equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, compliance issues, human resources, or related area OR any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities

•Knowledge of and experience working with federal and/or state civil rights statutes, regulations and guidance.

•Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds

•Demonstrated excellent analytical and research skills, including ability to interpret and apply laws and provide context-specific guidance regarding options and best practices

•Strong interviewing skills and ability to objectively conduct investigations with a trauma informed and culturally sensitive approach

•Skills in mediation or other conflict resolution techniques

•Strong program development, management and implementation skills, including ability to successfully lead and manage a significant caseload, multiple high priority, time-sensitive projects, and maintain detailed records in a fast-paced environment

•Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey relevant information in clearly written, analytical and legally framed investigative reports

•Demonstrated ability to successfully manage complex sensitive situations confidentially and tactfully.

•Strong computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

•Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to take on a variety of assignments, foster a cooperative and team-oriented work environment, and continuously improve delivery of services

•Excellent critical thinking, problem solving, and professional judgment skills

•Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with students, faculty, staff, and outside agencies



Preferred Qualifications



•JD or advanced degree in other relevant field

•Experience working in a higher education setting and with college students

•Title IX Investigation training and/or certification

•Experience with budget management



Salary Commensurate with experience and qualifications; includes a full benefits package.



Application Instructions



A cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references are required.



In your cover letter, please specifically address how you meet the required and any preferred qualifications, including your demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds and your ability to objectively conduct investigations with a trauma informed and culturally sensitive approach.



Please upload your resume and cover letter as instructed in Western PageUp. A writing sample may be required from finalists.



Other Information: Questions may be directed to search committee chair Sue Guenter-Schlesinger, Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, at sue.guenter-schlesinger at wwu.edu or (360) 650-3307.



Closing Date: Application review begins July 16, 2018; position is open until filled.



Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo at wwu.edu



WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).



All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires.



Job no: 495860

Advertised: Jun 21 2018 09:00 Pacific Daylight Time