Civil Rights Investigator
Job description
Job Summary
Central Washington University is recruiting a Civil Rights Investigator to join our President's Office team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $75,000 - $95.000 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.
Who we are:
We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.
Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You’ll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing for ~10,000 students, health services, police and public safety.
Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.
Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A
What we offer:
Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: www.cwu.edu/hr/benefits-perks-discounts.
The Role:
The primary responsibility is to conduct student and workplace investigations including, but not limited to complaints of: discrimination, harassment, Title IX, and violations of University policies, procedures, rules and regulations. The position resides in the Department of Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX and must conduct fair and objective investigations in a setting that includes represented and non-represented faculty, staff and students. All employees are expected to support CWU’s commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.
Job Duties
- Intake complaints and assess appropriate resolution process and procedural protocol to be followed. Provide consultation and education to students, faculty, and staff on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, policies, procedures, and options for resolution of complaint matters.
- Facilitate, within specific time constraints, informal resolution of complaints, when appropriate. Document efforts and conclusion of informal resolution.
- Assess need for and coordinate interim measures as necessary, including work/class schedules, short-term job changes, work from home assignments, and other academic or employment adjustments.
- Conduct prompt, thorough and equitable investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation while ensuring attention to detail and accuracy regarding facts, relevance, and investigation documentation.
- Ensure a well-documented investigation process, including: develop an investigation plan for each matter; identify and interview relevant parties; gather relevant documentation; provide regular updates to the parties; keep accurate and thorough records and notes; use software and technology to manage documentation; prepare comprehensive, unbiased written reports that include a written analysis and findings.
- Provide regular updates to the Director Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX about case management including approach, status, and progress.
- Handle complex situations, including responding to victims of trauma in a sensitive and informed manner, manage multiple cases, meet various deadlines, maintain neutrality and work under stress, and observe impartiality and confidentiality throughout the investigation process.
- Support Director Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX, in analyzing complaints, conducting fact-finding, reviewing documents, conducting related research, preparing related correspondence, and assisting in confidential reports containing investigative findings.
- Maintain current expertise in the field including meaningful and continuing engagement, as well as training and professional development on inclusion, diversity, and equity issues. Identify and incorporate advances, innovative techniques, and best practices in the equity and non-discrimination field into practice.
- Assist in responding to charges from EEOC, OFCCP, Washington State Human Rights Commission, OCR and other outside agencies.
- Review and propose to the Director Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX updates to relevant CWU policies, procedures and practices to ensure compliance with equal opportunity laws and regulations.
- Work collaboratively with the different needs, experiences, schedules and realities of members of the campus community, including students, staff, and faculty.
- Collaborate with key partners in the CWU community (e.g., Employee Relations, Title IX Committee, Human Resources, Provost’s Office (Faculty Relations), AVP and Dean of Students Success and Engagement, Disability Services, CWU Police Department, VP for Diversity and Inclusivity), as appropriate.
- Build and maintain working relationship with assigned Assistant Attorney General.
- Responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating University-wide training and educational programs related to preventing discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct; the investigative process; and other topics related to civil rights compliance in coordination with other office staff. Assess education needs and develop programs, events, and courses to assist CWU in advancing equity, diversity, and human rights throughout the institution and the communities it serves.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Two (2) years’ experience in conducting complaint, incident and/or grievance investigations involving Title IX, judicial affairs, social work/services, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, civil rights, law enforcement, or discrimination complaints.
- Excellent investigative, research, analytical, and oral communication skills.
- Excellent writing skills including demonstrated skills in preparing witness notes and investigative reports.
- Demonstrated judgement and ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
- Knowledge of trauma informed investigative techniques.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and success in working with diverse constituencies.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Familiarity with laws, regulations and polices important to higher education institutions, e.g., Title IX, Title VII, Section 504 of the Rehabilitations Act, the ADA, the FMLA, VAWA, and FERPA.
- Ability to maintain neutrality and work under stress.
- Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
- OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate or Master’s degree in a related field
- Experience in a higher education environment
- Training in Title IX, Title VII, sexual assault and/or other civil rights investigations.
- Experience in conflict management and/or resolution.
- Experience developing and presenting educational materials;
- Ability to incorporate multicultural perspectives and issues into everyday conversations.
- Ability to incorporate multicultural perspectives and issues into everyday conversations.
- Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU‘s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Competencies
- Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
- Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
- Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
- Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
- Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.
Don’t meet every single requirement? At CWU we’re dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
Salary: $75,000 - $95,000 annually, Dependent upon qualifications and experience
Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.
Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit: www.cwu.edu/hr/benefits-perks-discounts .
An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program .
How To Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:
- A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
- Resume including work history, education, training; and
- Contact information for three professional references.
Screening Begins: April 13, 2023
**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Contact Information
Name: Thomas Pedersen
Title: Director Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX
Email: Thomas.Pedersen2@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-2031
Website: www.cwu.edu/civil-rights-compliance/
Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.
Conditions of Employment
Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.
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