Job location: Smith College

Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2021-12-22
Req: R-202101102

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Inclusion, Diversity and EquityJob Description

The Director of Non-Discrimination Initiatives and Title IX Coordinator at Smith College manages the College’s compliance with Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, ADA, Rehabilitation Act Section 504 and other state and federal laws relating to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. Responsible for conducting or supervising investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct involving students and, in coordination with Human Resources and/or the Provost, allegations involving staff and/or faculty; mediating conflicts regarding discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct; and maintaining the College's policies regarding discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct. In collaboration with the Inclusion Trainer/Facilitatior, develop and conduct training for students, staff and faculty on all issues of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct.

The Director interacts and collaborates with many groups and offices on campus to build relationships that serve as the foundation for cooperation and open dialogue with and among students, faculty, and staff. The Director of Non-Discrimination Initiatives and Title IX Coordinator reports to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and has a matrixed reporting relationship to the Chief of Staff. On a day-to-day basis this role coordinates closely with other members of college leadership.

Education, Prevention, and Outreach

• Provide information to students, faculty, and staff regarding their rights and responsibilities with regard to sexual misconduct and the College’s Title IX program as well as all issues of discrimination and harassment, including information about the resources available on and off campus, how to access these resources, and Smith’s policies and processes

• Work to ensure an equitable and welcoming campus climate by leading, supporting, and communicating regularly with the College community about the College’s Title IX program and sexual misconduct prevention efforts. The Director must also effectively collaborate with students, faculty, and staff working on such efforts

• Conduct, oversee, or coordinate training for students, faculty, and staff about the College’s nondiscrimination policies and grievance procedures, including all issues of discrimination and harassment as well as Smith’s sexual misconduct prevention efforts, and its Title IX program as a whole

• Partner with student life on education initiatives to support students who have been impacted by discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct or who are involved in grievance processes

Institutional Monitoring and Compliance relating to discrimination

• As Title IX Coordinator, ensure that Smith’s policies, procedures, and practices regarding sex discrimination and harassment and sexual misconduct comply with Title IX; other federal laws related to the Title IX program and sexual misconduct on campus (e.g., the Violence Against Women Act and the Campus Sexual Assault and Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act); and any relevant state law (including the Massachusetts Campus Sexual Violence Act); ensure that Smith policies and processes reflect best practices in the field

• Ensure that complaints, reports, and investigations of all forms of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct are handled in accordance with College policies in compliance with insurer requirements, and through prompt, fair, and impartial practices and standards. This includes the receipt, evaluation, investigation, and resolution of complaints, as well as training of those involved in investigations and adjudication

• Collaborate with the Five College Risk Management Office on all relevant matters

• Maintain the College's policies regarding discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, as well as assisting in reviewing and revising the internal processes and practices for the investigation and adjudication of these issues

• Facilitate coordination and collaboration with and among College offices on discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct issues, including the Division of Student Life, Office of Human Resources, Office of Disability Services and Campus Safety

• Identify and manage outside investigators, and conduct investigations as needed, on matters of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct involving students, staff and faculty, in coordination with Human Resources and/or the Provost

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with Title IX coordinators at neighboring campuses, with the goal of facilitating and promoting joint training and prevention efforts and coordinating support for Smith students involved in sexual misconduct cases on other campuses especially within the Five Colleges

• Working with the head of the Office of Disability Services, serve as one of the college’s Section 504 Coordinators and co-chair the Accessibility Inclusion Committee; monitor Smith’s compliance with state and federal laws regarding accessibility, and handle grievances relating to accommodations process or disability discrimination/ harassment

• Collaborate with many groups and offices on campus to build relationships that serve as the foundation for cooperation and open dialogue with and among students, faculty, and staff

• Serve as Smith’s institutional representative on Title IX and sexual misconduct related matters, including in communications with government officials

• Enhance professional qualifications through ongoing participation in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities

• Maintain records in accordance with the law and College policies

• Coordinate reporting and assist Campus Safety on Clery Act-related matters

• Assist in the review of faculty search lists for diversity

Assessment and Reporting

• Lead periodic review of all complaints/reports of sexual misconduct and in coordination with the appropriate College offices (including the Division of Student Life, Office of Human Resources, and Campus Safety) to identify and address any patterns/systemic issues

• In collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research and with students, faculty, and staff, coordinate and/or oversee the development and implementation of any assessments (e.g., surveys) of campus climate and policies and procedures to address sexual misconduct

• Utilize, review, and assess findings to enhance the effectiveness of the College’s policies, compliance, and education efforts around discrimination, harassment, ADA/Section 504 and sexual misconduct and address the need for modifying policies

Collaboration on Equity and Inclusion

• Work with the VP for OEI and team to advance projects and initiatives that advance equity and inclusion for the entire college

• May include other responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum five years of significant Title IX, non-discrimination, ADA/504 or related experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of current state and federal law and regulations—as well as identified best practices and trends in the field of education—related to discrimination, harassment, disabilities, and sexual misconduct on college campuses.
• Understanding of the recent developments regarding sexual misconduct on campus impacting campuses across the country, and how Title IX and related laws impact women’s colleges in particular

Preferred Qualifications

An advanced degree in a relevant field such as a law degree is preferred

Understanding of the residential liberal arts college experience and a passion to work collaboratively within a highly consultative campus culture

Skills

• Experience successfully working with confidential and sensitive information
• Sound judgment, objectivity, and integrity
• Talent for listening and facilitating difficult conversations
• Facility with trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to prepare and present detailed reports, educational programs, training, and assessments
• Excellent written and oral communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, planning, presentation, and project management skills
• Ability to build rapport, work collaboratively with, and navigate complex issues across constituencies on and off campus, including students, faculty, staff, and alumnae
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to the concerns and needs of diverse student, faculty, and staff populations

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

Compensation Grade:

Grade E

Position Type:

Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Diversity and a culture of inclusion among students, staff, faculty, and administration are crucial to the mission and values of Smith College. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religions, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.