POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Equity Specialist and Investigator will assist the senior associate vice president in overseeing university compliance with equal employment opportunity and civil rights laws and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Serve as a resource to the CWRU community as it relates to equal opportunity and civil rights laws and regulations. (15%)
2. Counsel and advise staff employees on equity concerns and university policy and processes related to equal opportunity. (25%)
3. Investigate internal complaints of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct involving staff, and students as well as other campus constituents when needed. Prepare report of findings and make recommendations for remedial action to the senior associate vice president. (30%)
4. Process employee disability accommodation requests. Act as a liaison between employee and department to ensure reasonable accommodations are being made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act/ the Rehabilitation Act. Perform ADA assistance to the campus community to ensure ADA compliance. (10%)
5. Compile information needed to respond to external complaints filed with outside agencies. (5%)
6. Compile information needed to process internal employee grievances and appeals relating to equity discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints. (5%)
7. Assist in conducting equal employment opportunity training programs, including but not limited to New Hire Orientation sessions. (5%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Keep abreast of current issues and changing rules and regulations affecting the office and advise the senior associate vice president accordingly. (3%)
2. Handle special projects and other duties as needed. (2%)
3. Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with senior associate vice president for direction and coordination of activities of the office.

University: Contact with the University Attorney's Office, occasionally for legal advice, requests for information. Contact with Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity to coordinate on training and other programs. Contact with offices in Student Affairs and the Office of the Provost. Contact with employees/supervisors and students daily to answer questions, work on issues.  Occasional contact with faculty to answer questions, work on issues.

External: Callers, occasionally for information requests. Contact with compliance agencies, annually for reports and information.

Students: Contact with students in connection with complaints, information requests.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervision.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 to 5 years of related experience in equity and civil rights work and/or human resources preferably in an academic institution. Demonstrated expertise in conducting interviews and/or investigations in a sensitive and confidential manner.

Education/Licensing: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, law, social work, psychology or related field required. Master’s degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Familiarity with campus dynamics, applicable civil rights law, and applicable federal regulations.
2. Demonstrated understanding of and/or experience in civil rights investigation practices.
3. Thorough knowledge of equal employment opportunity and sexual misconduct laws and regulations.
4. Demonstrated superior judgment with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential communications.
5. Good communication skills; oral, written and listening.
6. Strong organizational and problem solving skills.
7. Ability to engage in annual training in conducting sensitive and confidential investigations.
8. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
9. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
10. Proficient in Microsoft office products; Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office working conditions. May be required to work some weekends and evenings. May encounter angry and upset individuals. The position may require driving personal vehicle to meetings outside the university.