Civil Rights Investigator

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

1d • $64,900 - $84,850 • Onsite

About The Position

The Civil Rights Investigator investigates complaints filed by students and employees involving protected-class discrimination and harassment. This role serves as a Title IX investigator for student and employee cases related to sex- and gender-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and retaliation. The investigator acts as a neutral party throughout all aspects of the investigation process, ensuring equitable treatment of all parties and prompt, impartial, well-documented, and trauma-informed investigation processes. Key responsibilities include maintaining the privacy of sensitive information, collaborating with appropriate university offices such as Student Conduct and Human Resources, and maintaining accurate, thorough, and unbiased investigatory files. The role involves creating comprehensive written investigative reports and partnering with other university offices and community resources to facilitate timely response, investigation, and resolution of complaints. The investigator must understand and follow established university policies and procedures, as well as all state and federal guidance. Additionally, the role may assist with adjudicating reported allegations of student misconduct and requires attending trainings to maintain knowledge of non-discrimination laws, regulations, and investigatory practices. Maintaining privacy and ensuring compliance with FERPA and other relevant policies is crucial.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Two (2) years of professional experience conducting investigations or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in student conduct, human resources, criminal justice, law, law enforcement, or an office of discrimination and harassment.
• Excellent judgment with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong skills in the areas of conflict resolution, problem solving techniques, interviewing and investigation.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess and negotiate complex, highly sensitive situations.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills demonstrated by the ability to analyze information, evaluate results, and facilitate resolution of difficult challenges, including the ability to handle issues of complex and extreme sensitivity.
• Skill in writing concise, logical analytical reports.
• Ability to maintain neutrality and work under stress.
• Demonstrated success in working with broad and varied constituencies.
• Strong and effective interpersonal skills including the ability to listen well and demonstrate sensitivity to and respect for individual needs.
• Ability to work as part of a University-wide community to resolve complaints in a neutral and sensitive manner.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and electronic databases.

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctorate (JD) or Master's Degree or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Title IX-related training or certification through a nationally recognized organization.
• Experience conducting civil rights and/or Title IX investigations in a university or corporate setting.
• Experience investigating cases of sexual and interpersonal violence.
• Ability to interpret federal, state and local equal opportunity and nondiscrimination laws and regulations including Title IX, FERPA, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Action, Violence Against Women Act, and other applicable laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Responsibilities

• Investigates complaints filed by students and employees involving protected-class discrimination and harassment.
• Serves as a Title IX investigator for student and employee cases related to sex- and gender-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and retaliation.
• Acts as a neutral party through all aspects of investigation process and ensures equitable treatment of all parties.
• Ensures prompt, impartial, well-documented, and trauma-informed investigation processes.
• Maintains privacy of sensitive information.
• Collaborates and consults with appropriate university offices in the course of investigations, including Student Conduct and Human Resources.
• Maintains accurate, thorough and unbiased investigatory files.
• Creates comprehensive written investigative reports.
• Partners with other university offices and community resources throughout the investigative process to facilitate timely response, investigation, and resolution of complaints.
• Understands and follows established university policies and procedures, as well as all state and federal guidance.
• May assist with adjudicating any reported allegation of student misconduct as necessary.
• Attends trainings to maintain knowledge of non-discrimination laws and regulations and investigatory processes and practices.
• Maintains privacy and ensures compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other state, federal, and institutional student record policies.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior