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Associate Director for Civil Rights Investigation and Mediation Services
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Position Number: 5124011
Location: Cheney, WA
Position Type: Multicultural Affairs and Affirmative Action

Associate Director for Civil Rights Investigation and Mediation Services

About Eastern Washington University:
Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. EWUs 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washingtons second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelors and masters degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a 22-23 College of Distinction (CoD). Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2023.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place-the knowledge that comes from the land.

Job Summary:
EWU is currently seeking an Associate Director for Civil Rights Investigations and Mediation Services. This position plays a critical role in ensuring Eastern Washington University's compliance with civil rights laws including the ADA, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and the Washington Law Against Discrimination.

The primary responsibility of the associate director is to conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into reports of harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and retaliation against faculty, staff, and students.
The position investigates other types of complaints brought against university employees as well, such as concerns about ethics or bullying.
The associate director is also responsible for providing alternative dispute resolution options to complainants and facilitating forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or facilitated discussions.
In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and their eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors degree.
Experience conducting investigations, facilitating mediations, and/or adjudicating student conduct issues.
Working knowledge of ADA/Section 504, Title IX, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws or professional experience demonstrating the ability to learn these legal requirements;
Ability to analyze and interpret rules, regulations, laws, policies and procedures;
Demonstrated ability and experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and experiences;
Ability to manage and work with conflict, including interacting with individuals who may be experiencing high levels of stress;
Ability to work independently, prioritize competing work as issues arise, and meet deadlines;
Demonstrated experience promoting cultural humility, universal accessibility, diversity, inclusivity, and workplace civility;
Strong writing skills, exceptional interpersonal communication skills, and emotional intelligence skills.
Must have the ability to maintain professional and collaborative interactions with other staff and university constituents;
Must be an excellent team member who collaborates with others;
Must have the ability to remain neutral, objective, and fair in the course of investigatory and other work assignments;
Strong computer skills to facilitate preparation of written and statistical reports, including proficiency in using the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Must have excellent organizational skills to ensure that multiple pending investigations and other work duties are completed.

Preferred Qualifications:

Juris doctorate or masters degree in a related field.
Previous investigative or adjudicative experience in a higher education setting.
Professional experience and/or training in informal resolution or restorative justice models.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Job Duties:
% of Time: 30
Responsibility / Duty: Civil Rights Investigations

The primary responsibility of the director is to conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into reports of harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and retaliation against faculty, staff, and students at EWU. This includes evaluating complaints, developing an investigative plan, collecting information in an efficient and trauma-informed manner, composing a clear final report detailing the information obtained, and applying logical reasoning to make findings of fact in accordance with EWUs investigative guidelines.
Assess allegations to determine whether interim measures are required and, if so, work with university and local resources to facilitate accommodations, interim measures, and supportive measures, as appropriate, for participants in the complaint process.
Establish and maintain confidential investigative files consistent with Washington State Public Records, records retention, and e-discovery laws and regulations.
Facilitate informal resolution to help prevent behaviors from reoccurring and to bridge the gap between intention and impact.
Testify at internal and external hearings about investigations completed by the Director. This includes student conduct hearings and employment hearings.
As needed, serve as a hearing officer for Title IX hearings.
As time permits, attend campus events focused on issues of discrimination and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion to build trust with campus constituents.

Essential Function Indicator: Yes

% of Time: 30
Responsibility / Duty: Personnel Investigations

Conduct investigations into complaints against employees into alleged violations of university policies such as bullying and ethics concerns in accordance with EWUs investigative guidelines.
Work collaboratively with EWUs investigative team to develop and implement responses into concerns about employee workplace behavior.

Essential Function Indicator: Yes

% of Time: 25
Responsibility / Duty: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Facilitate alternative dispute resolution options for complaints between campus community members. This includes, but is not limited to, mediation, facilitated discussions, restorative justice circles, or restorative justice conferences.
Research, design, and implement a process for informal resolution of Title IX complaints.

Essential Function Indicator: Yes

% of Time: 15
Responsibility / Duty: Training and Compliance Reporting

Assist the Associate Vice President with providing training to the campus community on nondiscrimination, trauma informed responses, investigations, and other identified topics.
Assist the Associate Vice President in tracking complaints, investigations, and trainings. Assist in preparing regular reports to campus leadership and the campus community.
Assist the Associate Vice President in preparing responses to external investigations, such as investigations by the Executive Ethics Board, Human Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Council, and the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Function Indicator: Yes

Conditions of Employment:

During the course of university employment this position will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value; as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
All new employees will comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Upon hire employees will complete required DEI, Hazing, and Harassment and Title IX training. The online training is located at https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/orientation/ or complete the training in person or via Zoom. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and are listed on our Human Resources site at: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/.
This is an Administrative Exempt position and is covered by EWU Policy 406- 01, Exempt Employment.

Salary Information: $78,283 - $109,599 Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

Posting Date: 03/20/2024
Open Until Further Notice: No
Closing Date: 4/7/2024
Screening to Begin: 04/08/2024

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/11982

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.