Investigator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Investigator will assist with responding to employee, student, or visitor reports of sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic/dating violence, and stalking. This position works with complainants and respondents throughout the response, complaint, and resolution process. This position investigates and adjudicates complaints of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and sex-based discrimination under the university’s Community Policies including the policies on Anti-harassment, Human Rights, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct, and Violence. This position will serve as a member of the Title IX Grievance Pool as a response coordinator, investigator and hearing advisor. Occasional evenings and weekends are required. There is an expectation that the person in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold the University’s commitment to creating welcoming and respectful environments for all. This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Requirements

A Juris Doctorate from an accredited U.S. university.
Six months to 1 year working experience in civil rights law required.
Demonstrates a WORKING proficiency level in: Demonstrated experience working with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and civil manner while appreciating the unique contribution of individuals from varied cultures, race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Demonstrated understanding of the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to process information with high levels of accuracy.
Extensive clear and concise written and oral communication skills demonstrate excellent analysis and reasoning.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and local laws and ability to advise on laws and regulations affecting HR practices (such as employment and civil rights law and corresponding regulations covering Title VII, Title IX, ADA, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, ADEA, and other civil rights laws/regulations).
Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
Proficiency in use of desktop tools for word processing (i.e. Microsoft Word).

Nice To Haves

Professional work experience at an institution of higher education.
Recent certification or training in Title IX and/or civil rights investigations (e.g., ATIXA, NACUA).
Experience and facility with oral and visual presentations to small and large groups, in which there may be varying knowledge levels of the subject matter.
Proficiency in the use of desktop tools for presentation, and email/calendar (i.e. Power Point, Outlook).
Experience in one or more of the following areas: litigation, mediation and/or conflict resolution.
Demonstrated knowledge of FERPA, Clery Act, trauma-informed interview techniques, and/or neurobiology of trauma.

Responsibilities

Respond to employee, student, or visitor reports of sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic/dating violence, and stalking to provide and determine resolution options and assess needs for supportive measures.
Provide process guidance to reporting parties, respondents, AAO’s and public.
Investigate and resolve complaints of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sex discrimination, sex-based harassment and violence filed by students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Commence thorough, reliable, and impartial investigations by identifying issues and developing a strategic investigation plan, including a witness list, evidence list, intended investigation time frame, and order of interviews for all witnesses and the parties.
Prepare formal written determination as to the conclusion of the investigation or when required by the Title IX Regulation, gather, assess, and synthesize evidence, but make no conclusions, engage in no policy analysis, and render no recommendations as part of the final investigation report.
Serve as facilitator for adaptable resolutions.
Consult with UI senior human resource directors and other leaders to proactively identify highest organization wide risk factors and develop/recommend avoidance strategies, facilitates management of risk areas.
Works to define and establish new best practices.
Interprets and resolves complex issues defined by the Title IX Coordinator.
Interface with internal units and external agencies for consultation/clarification and interpretation in specialized areas.
Respond to basic inquiries where interpretation may be required.
Identify risk areas and gaps between practice and policy/regulations.
Monitor developments in regulations and work with affected units to develop response during public comment period, and the revision of policy and procedure.
Conduct basic research into policies and practices.
Provide appropriate referrals for complainants and respondents to other offices or agencies when assistance needed is beyond scope of responsibility.
Work with highly sensitive, protected information with discretion and good judgment to maintain parties’ and witness’ privacy, while attending to institutional risk-management concerns.
Work directly with external reviewers to respond to requests and recommendations.
Monitors external agencies and assesses potential impact of any changes.
Report findings up to senior leadership.
Monitor industry for innovations in response and investigation processes.
Conduct research and reviews of Title IX and sexual misconduct best practices and legislation, including, but not limited to, issues related to the Title IX Regulation, Office of Civil Rights Guidance, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance, the Violence Against Women Act, and other matters related to Title IX and sexual misconduct within higher education.
Coordinate specific aspects of external review and internal processes.
Support other compliance staff as directed.
Provide recommendations for changes to university policies and procedures specifically related to sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, violence, and sexual misconduct.
Assist in developing annual reports and summaries related to sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, violence and sexual misconduct complaints.
Serve on appropriate university committees to develop and/or revise university policy and complaint procedures relating to discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct.
Complete training that meets the Title IX Regulation requirements, including on the definition of sexual harassment in § 106.30, the scope of the University of Iowa’s education program or activity, how to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable, and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias.
Training must also include how to determine issues of relevance to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence, as set forth in the Title IX Regulation.
Assist with preparation of training materials and messaging materials, including key learning objectives, training content and assessment methods.