Title Ix Coordinator And Civil Rights Officer

Niagara University is a liberal arts university, steeped in the Vincentian and Catholic traditions, with a total enrollment of nearly 4,300 students. Located just a few miles away from one of the world's premier tourism destinations, Niagara Falls, the university occupies a lovely campus overlooking the Niagara River gorge. Its close proximity to major cultural and business centers in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Toronto as well as the award-winning Niagara Wine Trail and several nearby cultural destinations make Niagara University an ideal place to work and live. If you'd like to know more, be sure to check out all of the NU Facts.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Legal Counsel, the Title IXCoordinator and Civil Rights Officer, works in close collaboration with many offices across the university including, General Counsel, Student Affairs, Multicultural Affairs, Academic Affairs, Campus Safety, Athletics and the Office of Human Resources, to oversee compliance efforts with regard to the university's discrimination and harassment policies and provides leadership to the university community in the areas of equal opportunity, compliance, and affirmative action. The position is responsible for campus education as well as enforcement of policies through complaint resolution, investigations, findings and recommended corrective actions or sanctions. The Title IXCoordinator and Civil Rights Officer is responsible for ensuring university compliance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as well as other laws and rules related to sexual misconduct on campus (e.g., Violence Against Women Act, Clery Act, NYS Enough is Enough) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Prepares and disseminates educational materials, including brochures, posters, and web-based materials that inform members of the campus community of their Title IX and EEO rights and responsibilities, to the campus community.
• Coordinates training for students, faculty, staff and administrators about their rights and grievance procedures; coordinates in-service training to all employees concerning university's discrimination and harassment policies.
• Receives and processes, in a timely manner, inquiries from students, faculty, staff, and administrators regarding rights and responsibilities concerning harassing behavior or other discriminatory behavior in violation of university policies including Title IX and EEO regulations.
• Refers inquiries to other resources that are not appropriate for investigations (e.g. Student Affairs, Human Resources).
• Receives and processes, in a timely manner, complaints from third parties who report suspicion or harassing behavior or other discriminatory behavior in violation of university policies.
• Investigates alleged incidents of discrimination and/or harassment.
• Interviews complainants, respondents, and material witnesses; obtains and review documents and other relevant materials from complainant and/or respondent;
• Issues findings of fact and recommendations for disposition of complaints and notifies all parties regarding disposition.
• Notifies complainants of his or her right to pursue remedies outside of the university grievance process; follows-up with parties regarding implementation of recommendations contained in disposition; seeks assistance from parties' supervisors or advisors, if necessary to implement recommendation(s).
• Monitors compliance of all requirements and timelines in the complaint/grievance procedure.
• Supervises the Deputy Title IXCoordinator and Civil Rights Officer and trains staff responsible for implementing grievance procedures.
• Coordinates and monitors Title IX and EEO efforts of other delegates and University offices that receive and/or investigate complaints, including but not limited to Human Resources, Student Affairs, Campus Safety, and Athletics.
• Organizes and maintains grievance files, disposition reports and other compiled records regarding complaints of sexual harassment and other discriminatory practices, including annual descriptive reports of numbers and nature of filed complaints and disposition of complaints.
• Remains knowledgeable of current state and federal laws and regulation and trends in the field of education related to harassment and other discriminatory practices that violate Title IX and EEO regulations.
• Monitors the university's harassment policy and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal law and regulations; serves as a liaison officer to state and federal government compliance or investigation officers.
• Maintains confidentiality of information (including but not limited to student and employee personal information, student grades, etc.), both during and after their employment with the university. Any question regarding the confidentiality of material, should be referred to the supervisor. Any violation shall subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

% of Time

60% Consultation, Investigation, and Disposition

10% Institutional Monitoring and Compliance

30% Training and Outreach

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Experience with Title IX/EEO regulatory compliance; including understanding of recent Title IX/EEO developments, regulatory and enforcement guidance and legislative initiatives.
• Experience conducting investigations and/or resolving complaints of discrimination and/or harassment.
• Demonstrated understanding and sensitivity toward experiences and expressions of trauma caused by sexual violence and harassment and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentially and sensitivity to privacy.
• Strong presentation skills with an emphasis on education and training for a variety of constituencies.
• Strong prioritization, analytical and organizational skills; experience with report preparation and analysis.
• Ability to think creatively, exercise independent judgment and make timely, informed decisions.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with key constituency groups and community partners.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills along with strong interpersonal and listening skills.

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS:

The functions of the position usually performed sitting, but may require some amount of time standing. Some amount of stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, lifting, walking, carrying and other movements may be required. Tasks involving working on a computer keyboard, computer software applications, and calculator, involve extensive wrist and hand movements. All individuals are required to be able to perform these movements without significant risk of injury to themselves or others.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• Master's degree in student personnel administration, criminal justice, or in a related field, or a Juris Doctorate, from an accredited higher education institution.
• Minimum of two years of experience investigating discrimination complaints, mediation and/or conflict resolution, preferably in the higher education setting.
• A valid New York State driver's license is required that satisfies both University and insurance company underwriting rules and regulations for driving a motor vehicle. Must also be able to operate a motor vehicle in Canada.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

This position has been identified as requiring a cell phone to fulfill job responsibilities and for other business purposes. Compliance with the University's Employee Cell Phone for Business Use Policy is required.