Civil Rights Investigator

The Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) at the University of Virginia is responsible for administering the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity and related policies and procedures. EOCR's mission is to ensure equal opportunity and to protect the civil rights of all University community members (faculty, staff, and students) through proactive outreach and education, and effective response and resolution.

The University seeks applications to fill a full-time Civil Rights Investigator position on the Preventing and Addressing Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation ("PADHR") team.

As a member of EOCR, the Civil Rights Investigator's work upholds the University's mission of supporting a collaborative, diverse community bound together by distinctive foundational values of honor, integrity, trust, and respect. The Civil Rights Investigator does this primarily by conducting prompt and equitable investigations of complaints of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation involving students, faculty, and staff.

The Civil Rights Investigator may also assist and support the Title IX/Sexual Misconduct team when needed. In addition, as a member of the EOCR team, the Civil Rights Investigator routinely and actively participates in education and outreach activities related to EOCR's mission and scope of work.

Key Priorities:

Key priority areas for the Civil Rights Investigator include:

• Conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, and equitable investigations of reports of prohibited conduct under the Preventing and Addressing Discrimination andHarassment policy (PADH Policy) and Preventing and Addressing Retaliation policy (PARPolicy) and related procedures.
• Related responsibilities include preparing an investigative plan and timeline, identifying and interviewing witnesses, gathering and securing relevant evidence, and preparing comprehensive investigative reports and recommended findings and/or remedial actions, as appropriate.
• Responsible for effective collaboration and communication with student affairs, employee relations/human resources, the Provost's office, and other key stakeholders and partners.
• When appropriate, assist with the University's response to charges or complaints filed with federal or state agencies (e.g., EEOC, OFCCP, and OCR).

• Responsible for accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of all investigations, as well as trainings and presentations, to which the Civil Rights Investigator is assigned.
• Responsible for remaining current and knowledgeable about legal and legislative updates relevant to the mission of the EOCR office and identifying and integrating best practices to enhance policies, procedures, and practices.
• Assist the EOCR management team with conducting periodic assessments of the effectiveness of University policies and procedures, including the overall efficacy of coordination and overall response by the University to various forms of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.

• Assist EOCR management with providing comprehensive training, education, and outreach on the PADH Policy and PAR Policy and related procedures to faculty, staff, and students.
• Assist EOCR management with the development of training, marketing, and other educational materials to raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities of our University community to cultivate a community free of discrimination and harassment.
• Assist EOCR management with the development, coordination, and implementation of events hosted by or supported by EOCR to increase awareness in the University community about all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, as well as the University's policies and procedures related to such issues.
• Represent EOCR at campus and community meetings, workshops, or similar events, as necessary and appropriate.

Candidate Profile:

Qualified applicants will have a bachelor's degree with a least four years of civil rights-related investigative experience; preference will be given to candidates with five years of civil rights-related investigative experience in Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, or related substantially equivalent state statutes. A Juris Doctorate (JD) with a minimum of two years of civil rights-related investigative experience is strongly preferred. Candidates with experience working in an institution of higher education or with a federal or state civil rights agency are strongly encouraged to apply.

A competitive applicant for the Civil Rights Investigator role will have many of the skills and abilities listed below.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret federal, state, and local equal opportunity, civil rights, and non-discrimination laws and regulations that apply to the employment and educational settings at a public university (e.g., the ADA, Section 504, Title IX, VAWA, Title VI, and Title VII).
• Experience conducting sensitive and confidential investigations and demonstrated skill in party and witness interview and investigation techniques
• Strong analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills; ability to solve problems, analyze, summarize, and effectively produce high quality written work in a sound and supportable manner.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills with emphasis on education and training for a wide audience.
• Demonstrated organizational, planning, and time management skills and strong ability to multitask, including managing multiple investigations or reviews concurrently.
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to working effectively with students, faculty, staff, or other individuals from diverse backgrounds in support of an inclusive and welcoming environment; particularly in the context of responding to reports and investigating complaints, when conducting interviews, and in interactions with parties and others involved.
• Deep sensitivity and thorough understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals who have experienced discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and other forms of interpersonal violence.
• Effective interpersonal skills, and the ability to exercise discretion and good judgment, as well as manage change and build consensus while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency, including Excel, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint.