Date: July 14, 2021

 

Position Title: Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance

 

Department: General Counsel

 

Job ID: 1172

 

Work Hours/Schedule: 40 Hours/week 52 Weeks

 

Compensation: Meet and Confer Grade 17, $82,824/yr

 

Reports to: General Counsel

 

Posting Close Date: July 28, 2021

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

GRCC invites applications for the position of Director EO Compliance, reporting to the General Counsel.   This position will develop and lead the implementation of a College-wide strategic plan for compliance with non-discrimination laws and regulations.  Responsibilities include policy development, training and responding to requirements of related laws and regulations.

 

The Director will provide legal advice on Higher Education laws and regulations related to non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity and serves as GRCC Title IX Coordinator and ADA Coordinator.

 

The Director will lead a College-wide effort to develop a strategic approach to improve the accessibility of academic resources and will serve as an expert consultant to the College community on existing and emerging technologies and best practices for universal design. 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Academic

 

• Consults with the College community on existing and emerging technologies and best practices to improve accessibility. 
• Advises the Center for Teaching Excellence about developing curricular content that is accessible to students with disabilities.
• Works with faculty, and staff to clarify GRCC’s responsibilities under Title IX and Section 508/504/ADA.
• Identifies campus-wide needs for compliance with EO and disability laws and regulations and advocates for appropriate resources in the budget planning process.
• Attends meetings and conferences in the field of higher education disability and EO and promotes an educational and societal environment at GRCC that values disability and embodies equality of opportunity.
• Ensures that all instructional materials and software purchased by GRCC for student, faculty, and staff use is compliant with technology standards specified in the ADA and other applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination on the basis of disability.

 

 

 

 

 

Legal

 

• Serves as the principal coordinator for GRCC's policies and procedures relating to accessibility and equal opportunity/non-discrimination compliance with all relevant state, federal and local laws and regulations. Monitors policies to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations. Proposes policy changes and new policies as necessary.
• Responsible for making College leadership aware of specific impediments to full compliance and for offering solutions to bring the college into compliance.
• Remains current on all disability laws and regulations and administrative decisions impacting GRCC disability compliance obligations and informs others as necessary.  Documents GRCC disability compliance initiatives.
• Remains current on all EO laws and regulations and administrative decisions impacting GRCC EO and Title IX compliance obligations and informs others as necessary.  Documents GRCC compliance initiatives.
• Maintains current information regarding best practices of other colleges and universities relating to ADA, Title IX and EO/non-discrimination compliance.
• Develops and implements internal measures and/or reports which inform the GRCC administration of the status of ADA and EO/non-discrimination compliance and opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Member of GRCC Compliance and Ethics Teams.
• Provides specialized training for Sexual Misconduct Hearing Board Members regarding conducting the hearing process, decision making standards and rights of parties involved; Deputy Title IX Coordinators regarding conducting investigations; confidential employees regarding their roles and responsibilities when receiving reports and Campus police officers regarding rights of victims and the institution's responsibilities for orders of protection, no-contact orders, or similar orders through criminal, civil or trial courts or the College.
• Receives and provides prompt response to discrimination complaints consistent with GRCC polices.  May investigate some complaints. Monitors EO/discrimination complaint outcomes to evaluate trends and need for institutional improvements.
• Budget planning, oversight and monitoring of operational budget.
• Legal counsel for external agency EO complaints.
• Conducts complex investigations requiring legal expertise. 
• Plays a central role in GRCC’s oversight of compliance requirements.
• Assists with other legal issues and work at the highest professional level with integrity, attention to detail and excellent judgment.
• Persons in this role are identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSA's will be trained and responsible for reporting Clery Reportable Crimes to Campus Police as required by the Clery Act.

Leadership

 

• Responsible for consistent compliance with all governing body laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to accessibility and equal opportunity/non-discrimination, including but not limited to Title IX, ADA, sections 504 & 508 of the Rehabilitation Act; Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines; and the Violence Against Women Act. 
• Provides training for Deputy Title IX Coordinators and others involved in Title IX and Sexual Misconduct processes.
• Responsible for overseeing the quality of all related investigations.
• Monitors required awareness and training programs and provides an annual report to the President’s Cabinet.
• Act as legal counsel for the College in response to external agency EO complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOC), Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
• Prepare position statements, reports and responses to complaints and requests for information and serve as the College’s representative in external fact finding conferences, mediations, and other administrative proceedings.
• Supervise the Labor and EO Generalist in all EO related matters, including overseeing investigations, annual evaluation in all aspects pertaining to EO related responsibilities, and providing guidance and support as needed (.5 FTE).
• Serves as budget control officer for all expenses related to this position.

 

 

Technology

 

• Principal coordinator for GRCC's policies relating to GRCC's ADA technology compliance. This person is also the internal liaison to GRCC departments and external liaison to organizations, institutions and government agencies with respect to ADA technology compliance.
• Ensures that access issues are resolved.
• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving customers and performing the essential functions of this position.

 

 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

 

Education/License

 

• The successful candidate must possess a Masters degree in a related field.
• Juris Doctorate preferred.

Work Experience

 

• Minimum of 7 years of increasingly responsible relevant experience.
• Required experience of five more years in a high level compliance function, including experience conducting internal investigations.
• Candidates with experience in higher education will be given preference.

Competencies

• The following competencies are essential and will be evaluated for our candidates through the evidence-based selection process:

Foundational Competencies

 

• Responsibility
• Adaptability
• Achievement
• Decisive
• Information Skills
• Reading
• Speaking
• Listening

Occupational Competencies

 

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Interacting With Computers
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Developing and Building Teams
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
• Developing Objectives and Strategies
• Processing Information

Equipment Use/Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

 

• Must have attention to detail and strong organizational skills, including the ability to work independently and to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to analyze data.
• Experience developing and delivering professional development and/or training preferred.
• Strong counseling, and negotiation skills and experience.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, be resourceful and use discretion.
• Must be able to work effectively and collegially with diverse personnel, including faculty, administrators, staff, students and external constituents.
• A demonstrated and proven working knowledge of Title IX and state and federal EO laws, including a clear understanding of the recent developments in Title IX, VAWA, Campus SaVE, Clery Act, OCR, and Dear Colleague letters. Professional certification in compliance and ethics (e.g. SCCE) preferred.
• The candidate must be familiar with the following regulations and guidelines: The Americans with Disabilities Act; sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act; Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) from W3C.
• Demonstrated knowledge of educational technologies as they relate to accessibility, including but not limited to knowledge of assistive technologies
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of universal design principles to selection, design, and/or evaluation of educational technologies.
• Skilled at paying attention to detail, establishing priorities, taking initiative, working independently and building teams.

 

 

Physical Demands

 

• The position requires long periods of sitting, standing, reading, and writing, listening and speaking. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.

 

 

Mental Demands

 

• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently both verbally and in writing. 
• Must be able to effectively manage high stress conflict situations with a positive approach.
• Team orientation and outstanding work ethic required.

 

 

Working Conditions

 

• This position works independently and with groups. Occasional night and weekend work may be necessary to accomplish objectives. 
• Some travel is required to participate in professional organizations and conferences.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Grand Rapids Community College is only accepting online applications for this position at https://www.grcc.edu/jobs. Submit a cover letter and resume in one document. The opportunity to apply for this position will close on July 28, 2021 at 11:59PM. Individuals with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Grand Rapids Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Grand Rapids Community College creates an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person. It is the policy and practice of GRCC to provide equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status or genetics in all programs, activities, services, employment and advancement including admissions to, access to, treatment in, or compensation in employment as required by state and federal law. GRCC is committed to reviewing all aspects of GRCC programs, activities, services and employment, including recruitment, selection, retention and promotion to identify and eliminate barriers in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of the listed protected characteristics.  The college will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person for bringing charges of discrimination or participating in an investigation. Further information may be obtained from the EEO Office or the Office of General Counsel, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295.