What are the responsibilities and job description for the Equity Specialist and Investigator position at Case Western Reserve University?
Job Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Equity Specialist and Investigator is responsible for investigating allegations of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence; providing information about investigations at hearings held pursuant to the Sexual Harassment Policy; reviewing student and employee requests for reasonable accommodations based on disability, religion and pregnancy, engaging in the interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations, and issuing accommodations; supporting students and others by providing interim measures pursuant to the Sexual Harassment Policy and facilitating problem solving; conducting outreach to students, faculty and staff to obtain invitations for Equity to provide training; preparing presentations on new training topics for students, faculty and staff; training and educating the campus, including students, staff and faculty, on: Responsible Employee Reporting of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, and discrimination and harassment on other bases; the investigation process under the Sexual Harassment Policy, the Non-Discrimination Policy and the Non-Retaliation Policy; the resources and support available to members of the Case Western Reserve University community who are or have previously experienced discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence; and other topics relating to the work of the Office for Equity with the goal that the university community knows what conduct must be reported to the Office for Equity, how to report, what the Office for Equity does with the reported information, and making people feel comfortable reporting to the Office for Equity – because they believe the Office for Equity can help -when they know that a member of the university community is experiencing discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Thoroughly investigate internal complaints of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. (30%)
- Prepare investigation reports, No Contact Directives, Equity complaints of discrimination, presentations, memoranda and summaries, and other documents related to matters handled by the Office for Equity. (15%)
- Problem solve and implement interim supportive measures for persons experiencing discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, and provide educational conversations and training to persons accused of engaging in discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. (10%)
- Review student and employee requests for accommodation based on religion, pregnancy, and disability, engage in the interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations and issue decisions granting or denying, or modifying, the requests for accommodation. (10%)
- Engage with the campus community and obtain invitations to present to students, faculty, and staff on Equity matters. Understand the Sexual Harassment Policy, Non-Discrimination Policy and Anti-Retaliation Policy, and other polices, and advise members of the university community about these policies. (5%)
- Present training and education to students, faculty and staff on Equity, human resources-related, equal employment opportunity and other topics relating to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, accommodation, micro-aggressions, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other topics relating to the mission of the Office for Equity. Understand the Sexual Harassment Policy, Non-Discrimination Policy and Anti-Retaliation Policy, and other polices, and advise members of the university community about these policies. (5%)
- Understand the Sexual Harassment Policy, Non-Discrimination Policy and Anti-Retaliation Policy, and other polices, and advise members of the university community about these policies. (5%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Serve as a resource to the university community as it relates to equal opportunity and civil rights laws and regulations. (3%)
- Work collaboratively with campus partners to support maintaining a university community that is free from discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. (3%)
- Compile information needed to respond to requests for information from within and outside the university. (3%)
- Keep abreast of current issues and changing rules and regulations affecting approaches to discrimination, harassment, and accommodation. (3%)
- Handle special projects as assigned by the Senior Associate Vice President - Equity. (3%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with senior associate vice president for direction and coordination of activities of the Office for Equity.
University: Contact with the University Office of the General Counsel, occasionally for legal advice, requests for information. Contact with Human Resources and Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity to coordinate on training and other education programs, and for problem solving for students and/or employees. Contact with offices in Student Affairs, Office of the Provost, University Police, Human Resources, Residence Life and other offices regarding investigations and support of students. Contact with employees/ supervisors and students daily to answer questions and 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, contact with parents of students.
Students: Contact with students in connection with complaints, information requests, training, and education.
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: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, law, social work, psychology, or related field required. Master’s degree or JD required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Ability to effectively investigate allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and sexual harassment, and requests for accommodation.
- Ability to develop create and deliver training and educational programs for students, faculty and staff on issues relating to the mission of the Office for Equity.
- Strong written communications skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability communicate in person and remotely.
- Effective project management, organizational and analytical skills.
- Must have sense of urgency and ability to meet deadlines in approaching responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to foster positive relationships with diverse constituencies.
- Demonstrated knowledge of laws and regulations related to discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, of students and employees based on all protected categories and all community members, including Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADEA, ADA/Section 504.
- Ability to meet consistent in-person attendance.
- Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
- 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. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.
Diversity Statement
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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Reasonable Accommodations
Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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COVID Vaccination
Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: https://case.edu/equity/covid-19-accommodations. Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 /equity@case.edu for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as an accommodation.
Salary : $48,800 - $61,800