Director, Civil Rights and Equity Office

Company: University System of NH
Location: Durham
Posted on: January 26, 2023

Job Description:

Director, Civil Rights and Equity Office For optimal experience, internal candidates should use their USNH username and password when applying for open positions. Operating Title Director, Civil Rights and Equity Office Long Classification Title Director, Civil Rights and Equity Office Campus Location Department UNH Civil Rights & Equity Office Summary of Position The Director of the Civil Rights and Equity Office leads campus efforts at Durham and collaborates with Concord and Manchester campuses to respond to reported incidences of harassment, discrimination, sexual violence and discriminatory retaliation. The Director coordinates and provides education and compliance oversight for equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity, affirmative action and related laws (Title VI, VII , Title IX, ADA , Sections 504 and 508, etc.) and serves as the University's Title IX Coordinator.

The Director reports to the Chief Diversity Officer - Associate Vice President for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and provides strategic guidance, advice, and subject-matter expertise to senior administrators and campus constituencies. This position supports the efforts of the Chief Diversity Officer as part of the broad UNH commitment to equity and diversity. The Civil Rights and Equity Office works with internal and external investigators to address reports and complaints. The Director is responsible for overseeing resolution of complaints of discrimination and harassment. The Director, in collaboration with campus partners, develops and delivers campus-wide harassment prevention and anti-discrimination education and awareness programs, including Title IX training for faculty, staff and students. The Director also assists with ensuring unbiased employment searches.

To be successful in this role, the Director must have excellent interpersonal and communication/public relations skills, including the ability to write concisely and persuasively, establish rapport, listen attentively, engender respect, and effectively communicate complex and sensitive information to individuals-faculty, staff, and students-of diverse backgrounds and identities. Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, experience in data analysis reporting and compliance management, creative problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities are important. This position requires the ability to demonstrate effective leadership and collegial and collaborative relationships with co-workers, direct reports, and internal and external constituents. An unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, justice, and inclusive excellence is expected along with the ability to build and manage successful teams. Acceptable minimum level of education Master's Acceptable minimum years of experience 5-7 years Additional Job Information UNH is a federal contractor within the meaning of the Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This position may require that you be vaccinated against COVID -19 in the future, unless you apply for and receive a religious or medical exemption. You may not test out of this requirement. - Posting Number PS3729FY22 Other minimum qualifications

• Master's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training or certifications.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with discrimination and harassment laws (Title VII , Title VI, Title IX, ADA , etc.) at an institution of higher education or a relevant government entity, or combination of applicable skills and experience equivalent to 5 years.
• A working knowledge of Clery Compliance.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing about specific compliance and ethics program issues and risk areas. Requires the ability to change the thinking of, or gain acceptance of, others in sensitive situations.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills including negotiation and communication; able to reach across a wide variety of audiences for different areas of ethics and compliance.
• Ability to provide effective management and supervision of a specific program within the ethics and compliance functions.
• Expert knowledge of the complexities of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, in the postsecondary setting.
• Expert knowledge of best practices and methodologies for conducting investigations, including interviewing, gathering and analyzing evidence, and writing investigation reports; demonstrated advanced expertise managing subordinate staff who conduct investigations, as well as effectively managing external investigators.
• Expert knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, case law, and guidance related to discrimination and harassment in the educational and employment setting, including Title VI, Title VII , Title IX, VAWA , FEHA , ADA /Rehabilitation Act, ADEA and Age Discrimination Act.
• Demonstrated skill, sensitivity and experience interacting with students, faculty, staff and other constituents who are diverse in characteristics such as age, education level, race, gender identity and expression, ability, and socioeconomic backgrounds in a culturally competent and supportive manner.
• Demonstrated understanding of the relevance of trauma in the context of sexual violence (for example, the neurobiology of trauma and trauma-informed investigation techniques).
• Demonstrated understating of the responsibility to maintain sensitive information in accordance with FERPA , HIPAA / FMLA .
• Advanced written and oral communication skills; builds rapport in an open, friendly, and accepting way; listens attentively.
• Ability to objectively evaluate evidence and seek resolution to disputed issues and topics, applying legal and policy standards as informed by relevant case law, regulatory guidance, and UNH values.
• Excellent judgment and ability to work well as part of a team, including collaboration with diverse university units and others.
• Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and ability to help carry out vision and commitments of Chief Diversity Officer. Additional Preferred Qualifications
  • J.D. or terminal degree in a related field with 3 years higher education or related experience.
  • Advanced knowledge of the compliance and ethics profession, theories, and standards.
  • Knowledge of policies, practices, and systems; human and other resource planning, analytical and comprehensive project management skills. Salary Information Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off. The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status. Institution Information The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
    
    Posting Open to Internal Candidates Only? No Interested Internal Candidates Exist? No Job Category Appointment Type Regular If TERM position provide projected end date Equipment/Instruments Drivers License and Physical Requirements. Please check all items that apply. None applicable Duties / Responsibilities Job Duties Duty/Responsibility Chief campus affirmative action director. Provides leadership in areas of diversity, affirmative action, equal opportunity, and equal employment opportunity as set out in Federal and State law and policy and UNH and USNH policy. Advise administrators, managers and supervisors on equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity, discrimination, harassment, diversity, affirmative action, Title IX and athletic issues (President, Provost, deans, directors, department chairs, Athletic Department). Duty/Responsibility Chief campus compliance officer. Analyze employment-related and student-related complaints from divisions, departments, and sites. Ensure the efficient and effective receipt, evaluation, and oversight of all reported incidences of harassment, discrimination, sexual violence and discriminatory retaliation including providing timely updates regarding the status of reports received as well as the status of investigations as appropriate. Act as a neutral party through all aspects of investigations, including advising parties of their rights while maintaining a high level of confidentiality. Supervise or conduct inquiries as necessary, including, but not limited to preparing questions for investigation interviews; evaluating all investigation materials submitted and assisting in obtaining other documentary evidence that the investigator deems relevant to the allegations; interviewing all relevant parties; organizing all documentary evidence in case files; drafting responses and collecting documents in response to Commission on Human Rights, EEOC and Division of Human Rights complaints; and researching information relating to cases for court documents and utilizing Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw or other relevant computer sources for legal materials (cases, articles, etc.). Utilize a database to organize, manage, and track all incidences of harassment, sexual violence, and discriminatory retaliation. Identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk at the University; develop/implement corrective action plans that suit the culture of the college and respect the principles of shared governance; and provide general guidance and education on how to avoid such vulnerabilities in the future. Collaborate with a wide range of University administrators, staff, and faculty to increase awareness of the importance of compliance at the University and to effectuate the compliance program.
    Serve as Title IX Coordinator free from conflicts of interest and bias, ensure that Title IX polices are communicated to all constituents, receive complaints of sexual harassment, effectively implement supportive measures, and ensure a prompt and equitable grievance process and the effective implementation of remedies.
    Conduct trainings on a variety of compliance-related topics. Establish a culture, organizational approach, and structure, along with policies, procedures and training programs that promote excellent student services and attract and provide a satisfying work environment for staff in these areas. Report information and data to the appropriate authorities. Provide advice to administrators, managers and supervisors on equal employment opportunity, discrimination, harassment, diversity, affirmative action, Title IX and similar issues. Oversee processes that relate to violations of these laws and policies and support other institutions in USNH . Perform any other duties deemed appropriate by the Chief Diversity Officer Duty/Responsibility Responds to complaints from outside agencies and compliance bodies, (including the NH Commission for Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office for Civil Rights) when they investigate complaints against UNH . Monitors compliance with laws and regulations; coordinates with the Office of General Counsel, USNH . Provides UNH liaison to these agencies and bodies on any matters of compliance and policy. Duty/Responsibility Drafts and updates policies and procedures regarding discrimination and harassment. Monitors the effectiveness of the process. Reviews UNH policies for their impact on underrepresented populations. Duty/Responsibility Works with the Human Resources Department, deans, department chairs, directors and search committees to enhance diversity throughout UNH to recruit diverse pools of candidates for all UNH positions, with a focus on tenure-track faculty and executive staff. Duty/Responsibility Serves on commissions, committees, councils and task forces and other university bodies related to discrimination, harassment, affirmative action, diversity, equal opportunity and equal employment opportunity. Duty/Responsibility Oversees the collection of data relating to underrepresented UNH populations and affirmative action concerns. Publish annual report on compliance and complaints. Analyze data, follow trends. Duty/Responsibility Manage the Civil Rights and Equity Office, including supervision and performance reviews of the Assistant Director, ADA Compliance Officer, Investigator/Case Manager, Senior Administrative Assistant, interns, and work-study students. Makes hiring and salary decisions. Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
    • * How have you supported diversity, equity, and inclusion in your prior roles, and how would you proceed in our organization? Please provide examples.(Open Ended Question) 5 Chenell Drive, Suite 301, Concord, NH 03301

Keywords: University System of NH, Durham , Director, Civil Rights and Equity Office, Executive , Durham, North Carolina