Category:: Full-time Staff
Subscribe::
Department:: Human Resources
Locations:: Bedford, MA
Posted:: Sep 22, 2022
Closes:: Oct 13, 2022 - 11:59 PM EDT
Type:: Full-time
Position ID:: 153597

About Middlesex Community College:

Middlesex Community College (MCC) is one of the largest community colleges in the Commonwealth, employing people in full-time, part-time, faculty, professional, administrative, and support positions at campuses in both Lowell and Bedford, and online. We are focused on equity to transform lives and shape futures. MCC values equity and inclusion as the foundation for excellence, innovation, and success for our employees and students. MCC is committed to a policy of affirmative action, equal opportunity, equal education, non-discrimination, and diversity to provide a learning and working environment that values the diverse backgrounds of all students and employees. MCC strives for a faculty and staff that reflect its richly diverse community of students. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities and others are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status. Middlesex Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Prospective employees are encouraged to review the College's Annual Safety & Security Report, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which can be found on the disclosure page of the College's website at: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/disclosurestatements/campsecrpt.aspx

Job Description:

Title: Assistant Director of HR/ Affirmative Action Officer

Unit: Non-Unit Professional (NUP)

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Associate Director of HR

Date: September 22, 2022

General Summary: Middlesex Community College is seeking a knowledgeable and collaborative human resources professional to serve as the College's Affirmative Action Officer, manage the compliance portfolio and assist in ongoing human resources initiatives. The Assistant Director of HR/AAO will also serve as the College's Deputy Title IX Investigator and ADA Coordinator. The Assistant Director will provide direction to the College community to ensure compliance with the Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity, the collective bargaining agreements and employee policies and procedures. The individual who serves in this position provides exceptional Human Resources service to a diverse workforce and is committed to expansive excellence, diversity, and continually strives to promote a culture of success and engagement for all employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Affirmative Action/ADA/ Title IX:

• Responsible for the implementation, administration, and evaluation of affirmative action policies, procedures and goals; serve as monitor of local, state and federal laws and regulations relating to affirmative action and equal opportunity and compliance thereof; and administer to all segments of the College including students and employees.
• Execute the Affirmative Action Officer responsibilities within the College Hiring Policy and the Policy on Affirmative Action which may include recruitment strategies, search committee composition, search committee training and pool certification.
• Monitor discrimination and harassment complaints and grievances under the Policy on Affirmative Action; maintain confidentiality of all complaints. Respond to, investigate and resolve discrimination and harassment complaints.
• Serve as the College's Deputy Title IX Coordinator, participate in cross-functional Title IX working group and work in collaboration with the Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator in investigation of Title IX and Affirmative Action complaints concerning employees and students.
• Deliver and monitor related training including search training and prevention of discrimination and harassment.
• Act in the capacity of ADA Coordinator for the College and review and assess employees' reasonable accommodation requests in compliance with state and federal laws, policies and procedures.

Compliance:

• Manage the Compliance portfolio such as required federal and state disclosures, CORI/SORI for employees and background checks.
• Manage OCR or similar federal complaints to resolution.
• Serve as the liaison to the Statement of Financial Interest reporting process for the MA Ethics Commission for required MCC personnel.
• Work across the college collaboratively to ensure all reporting required by the laws under the jurisdiction of the VP of HR are collected, disseminated, documented and submitted as required.
• Coordinate Conflict of Interest, Cybersecurity, and other required training in collaboration with Office of Professional Development.
• Collect relevant data and information to provide timely and adequate responses to public records and information requests directed to HR team.
• Participate in cross-functional and collaborative working groups such as digital accessibility and data governance.
• Meet regularly with the Student Affairs Division regarding compliance matters, including investigations and accommodations.
• Provide relevant and timely professional development and training to supervisors, managers and members of College community
• Serve as a skilled communicator who can reach across institutional lines to build strong partnerships, inspire and facilitate collaboration, and advise and influence academic and administrative leaders at all levels on relevant guidelines and regulations as set by the state and federal government and their agencies.

Human Resources:

• Investigate employee and supervisory complaints or concerns in the workplace and work to solve issues and maintain a productive work environment.
• Hear formal grievances/ complaints involving employees under the terms of the union contracts, non-union personnel handbooks, or state and federal discrimination laws
• Assist managers and supervisors in matters regarding employee disciplinary issues that may arise
• Provide interpretation of labor contracts and matters related to collective bargaining, mediations, and unfair labor practice charges
• Assist in making updates to employee job descriptions and employee and supervisor requests for reclassifications of positions
• Represent the human resources office on college wide efforts such as strategic planning, the development of goals and objectives, program assessment, etc.
• Assist in drafting new or refined college policies and procedures
• Ensure College's consistent application of protocols with regards to telework policy, vaccine mandate, etc.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of HR data utilizing Banner, HR/CMS, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Argos and other technology
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years full-time professional experience in human resources, administration of affirmative action policies, or compliance initiatives which must include significant, recent experience in investigative work
• Strong functional knowledge in the areas of affirmative action, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and federal rules and regulations concerning discrimination, employee relations, staffing, training and development, performance management and employment law/compliance
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information
• Ability to resolve conflicts objectively and with a focus on long-term implications
• Effective listening, relationship building and collaboration skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent customer service abilities demonstrated by interpersonal and communication skills which include the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; to establish positive public relations for the department; and to maintain a professional demeanor with employees, students and the public at all times
• Work effectively with all levels in an organization
• Proactive with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with equity-minded work and/or understanding of individuals of diverse identities such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, sexual orientation and veterans including those with different levels of academic preparation, varying physical and learning abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior higher education and/or public sector experience
• Experience working with integrated software systems such as Ellucian BANNER or Peoplesoft and/or HRCMS
• JD or Master's degree in a related field
• Bilingual skills a plus

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefitted, Non-Unit Professional Position.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000 actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits which include:

• High quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefit for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
• Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses

Location: Bedford campus with occasional travel to Lowell Campus as needed. This position will be eligible for a maximum of two days of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire

Expected start date: November 2022

Application Deadline: October 13, 2022

The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

COVID VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: Candidates for employment should be aware that all Middlesex Community College students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by January, 2022. Accordingly, initial employment is dependent upon receipt and verification of full vaccination status records; details of how to fulfill vaccine record verification requirements will be provided during the hire and onboarding process.

Application Instructions:

Applicants interested in applying MUST submit the following documents via the online application:

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume

After completing all of the steps above, please go back into the newly created account and double check that your resume and cover letter uploaded as you intended.

Middlesex Community College understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Associate Director of HR, Marielle Abou-Mitri, at 781-280-3502 or aboumitrim@middlesex.mass.edu

ADA Compliance:

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Middlesex Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Middlesex Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.