What are the responsibilities and job description for the Equity Specialist and Investigator position at Case Western Reserve University?
Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $60,906 and $77,047, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.
Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Equity Specialist and Investigator is responsible for fairly, impartially and thoroughly investigating allegations of protected class-based discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination and sexual harassment consistent with the standards in Title IX, Title VI and Title VII, the American¿s with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and other federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment against students and employees of institutions of higher education; writing investigation reports; providing information about investigations at hearings held pursuant to university policy; reviewing student and employee requests for reasonable accommodations based on disability, religion and pregnancy consistent with applicable laws and regulations, engaging in the interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations, and issuing accommodations; supporting students and others by providing supportive measures and facilitating problem solving; conducting outreach to students, faculty and staff to obtain invitations for equity to provide training. The equity specialist and Investigator is also responsible for preparing presentations on new training topics for students, faculty and staff; training and educating the campus, including students, staff and faculty, on: Title IX, resources and support for persons impacted by discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination and sex based harassment, and discrimination and harassment on other bases; understanding university investigation processes; the resources and support available to members of the Case Western Reserve University community who are or have previously experienced discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination; 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.
Essential Functions
Department: Daily contact with vice president for direction and coordination of activities of the Office for Equity, and with students, faculty and staff engaging with the Office of Equity
University: Contact with the University Office of the General Counsel, occasionally for legal advice, requests for information. Contact with Human Resources to coordinate on training and other education program. 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 and employees. Contact with employees/supervisors, faculty and students daily to answer questions and address concerns.
External: Callers, including parents and prospective students and employees occasionally for information requests and about pregnancy, disability and religious accommodations.
Students: Contact with students in connection with complaints, concerns, information requests, training, and education.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
No direct supervision of other employees
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
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.
This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
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.
Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Equity Specialist and Investigator is responsible for fairly, impartially and thoroughly investigating allegations of protected class-based discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination and sexual harassment consistent with the standards in Title IX, Title VI and Title VII, the American¿s with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and other federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment against students and employees of institutions of higher education; writing investigation reports; providing information about investigations at hearings held pursuant to university policy; reviewing student and employee requests for reasonable accommodations based on disability, religion and pregnancy consistent with applicable laws and regulations, engaging in the interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations, and issuing accommodations; supporting students and others by providing supportive measures and facilitating problem solving; conducting outreach to students, faculty and staff to obtain invitations for equity to provide training. The equity specialist and Investigator is also responsible for preparing presentations on new training topics for students, faculty and staff; training and educating the campus, including students, staff and faculty, on: Title IX, resources and support for persons impacted by discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination and sex based harassment, and discrimination and harassment on other bases; understanding university investigation processes; the resources and support available to members of the Case Western Reserve University community who are or have previously experienced discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination; 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.
Essential Functions
- Thoroughly, fairly and impartially investigating internal complaints of discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination and sex-based harassment. (40%)
- Preparing timely investigation reports, No Contact Directives, supportive measures for students and employees, Equity complaints of discrimination, presentations, memoranda and summaries, and other documents related to matters handled by the Office for Equity. (20%)
- Problem solve and implement interim supportive measures for persons experiencing discrimination and harassment and providing educational conversations and training to persons accused of engaging in discrimination and harassment, including sex discrimination and sex-based harassment. (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 university policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and mandating accommodation. (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, sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, race and national origin and other protected class status-based discrimination and harassment. (5%)
- Understand university policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and mandating accommodation, and advise members of the university community about these policies. (5%)
- Compile information needed to respond to requests for information from within and outside the university. (3%)
- Keep abreast of current issues, legal cases, laws and changes to rules and regulations affecting approaches to discrimination, harassment, and accommodation. (1%)
- Handle special projects as assigned by the vice president. (1%)
Department: Daily contact with vice president for direction and coordination of activities of the Office for Equity, and with students, faculty and staff engaging with the Office of Equity
University: Contact with the University Office of the General Counsel, occasionally for legal advice, requests for information. Contact with Human Resources to coordinate on training and other education program. 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 and employees. Contact with employees/supervisors, faculty and students daily to answer questions and address concerns.
External: Callers, including parents and prospective students and employees occasionally for information requests and about pregnancy, disability and religious accommodations.
Students: Contact with students in connection with complaints, concerns, information requests, training, and education.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
No direct supervision of other employees
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 and requests for accommodation.
- Ability to develop create and deliver training and educational programs to students, faculty and staff on issues relating to the mission of the Office for Equity.
- Strong written communications skills, including being able to prepare compelling investigation reports.
- 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.
- Strong ability to foster positive relationships with diverse constituencies and collaborate with others.
- Knowledge of laws and regulations related to discrimination and harassment, of students and employees based on all protected categories and all community members, including Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADEA, ADA/Section 504, PDA, PWFA, and other laws and regulations
- Ability to meet consistent in-person attendance on campus.
- Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
- Proficient in Google and Microsoft office products; Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
- Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
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.
This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
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.
Salary : $60,906 - $77,047
