Director for Equity & Deputy Title IX Coordinator

American University•Washington, DC

13d•$125,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Equity & Title IX is responsible for addressing and responding to all reports of discrimination involving students, faculty, and staff, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, whether within or outside the jurisdiction of Title IX. This includes overseeing the University’s efforts to prevent and respond to discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or parenting, age, religion, disability, or other bases under federal laws and regulations. The Director for Equity and Deputy Title IX Coordinator is responsible for managing the day-to-day responsibilities associated with the Equity and Title IX (ETIX) office, under the Office of Inclusive Excellence. Working under the supervision of the Assistant Vice President for Equity and Title IX Coordinator (AVP for ETIX), the Director for Equity and Deputy Title IX Coordinator will have primary responsibility for overseeing ETIX’s case processing, overseeing the coordination and provision of supportive measures, and providing direct supervision and guidance to the investigators and case manager. The Director for Equity and Deputy Title IX Coordinator will also assist the AVP for ETIX in ensuring day-to-day compliance with local and federal obligations related to equal education and employment opportunity, including monitoring and evaluating campus climate, identifying and providing Equity & Title IX-related training, and working collaboratively with campus partners and stakeholders.

Requirements

5 - 10 years of relevant experience
JD plus 7 or more years of related experience in the area of compliance with and implementation of federal and local laws and related regulations in the area of education and employment discrimination or the equivalent legal experience OR Master’s degree required plus 8 or more years of related experience in the area of compliance with and implementation of federal and local laws and related regulations in the area of education and employment discrimination or the equivalent legal experience.
Experience handling confidential information.
Demonstrated strong skill in writing concise, logical analytical reports to convey complex issues.
Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, including cross-cultural competency.
Strong organizational and analytical skills.
Must be comfortable with technology, including maintaining content on websites and identifying and vetting online training programs.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

8 - 10+ years of relevant experience.
Experience in conducting and/or supervising investigations of discrimination and harassment, including such matters under Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Section 504, and D.C. law, strongly preferred.
Experience working in higher education.
Proficiency in Case Management systems such as Maxient and/or Guardian.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for the intake process and protocols. Working with the Case Manager, review of all incoming reports and complaints in a timely manner; ensure timely outreach to potential complainants; guide the Case Manager on content of intakes to ensure that necessary initial information about the matter is obtained; and present initial assessment recommendations about each matter to the AVP of ETIX. Conduct regular meetings with the Case Manager and Coordinator to review new reports/complaints and intakes that have been conducted and prepare matters for presentation to the AVP of ETIX. Ensure that outcomes for matters at this initial stage are appropriately documented in the case management system and closed or moved to the next stage in the process, on a timely basis. Provide intake data on a quarterly basis to AVP of ETIX. Implement and revise (as needed) internal operating procedures, including quality control and monitoring, for the intake process. Coordinate with campus partners and stakeholders (e.g., public safety, human resources, student conduct, etc.) to acquire information needed to conduct appropriate intake procedures.
Working with the Case Manager and Investigators, make determination regarding supportive measures. Coordinate with other departments, as necessary, to ensure smooth and effective implementation of supportive measures. Review templates for supportive measures work collaboratively with Investigators in assessing supportive measures when such requests are made after the initial intake stage. Develop standard procedures for the assessment of supportive measures requests, including documentation required for such requests. Develop knowledge of processes in academic units to strengthen collaboration during implementation of supportive measures for students. Coordinate pregnancy and parenting supports on behalf of ETIX, as needed, in collaboration with campus partners.
Provide direct supervision to investigators as they conduct prompt and thorough investigations, including overseeing the development of investigation plans, reviewing and editing draft notices of investigation and investigation reports, ensuring all processes are implemented by investigators and identifying issues arising from individual matters that need to be elevated to the AVP. Ensure investigation reports and other documents submitted to AVP of ETIX for final review and approval meet all compliance requirements and are of high quality. Maintains a high level of confidentiality and discretion, and ensures a prompt, fair and neutral process for all parties. Develop and implement professional development plan for ETIX staff under the Director’s direct supervision.
Stay abreast of developments in law, policy and best practices related to employment and education discrimination and harassment and assist AVP for ETIX in ensuring that all processes of the ETIX are in compliance with law. Ensure ETIX’s document retention and case management is compliant with best practices related to confidentiality and legal sufficiency.
Participate as a member of the Climate Action Response Team (CART) and collaborate with the Inclusive Leadership and Learning and campus partners on campus climate response efforts. Serve on University committees and response teams as needed and contribute to the development and implementation of restorative practices and other innovative approaches to addressing conflict, harm, and campus climate concerns. Assist ETIX and Inclusive Leadership and Learning in training and engagement efforts across the University community.