Director of Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Description

Well-Qualified and Interested Candidates should forward their Resume / CVs to Kevin Root at KRoot@HumanCapitalLLC.com or Milton Hall at MHall@HumanCapitalLLC.com.

The Director of Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator manages the institution’s compliance with Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, ADA, Rehabilitation Act Section 504 and other state and federal laws relating to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. This position also serves as the ADA and 504 Coordinators for the institution and coordinates compliance with the ADA/Section 504 in collaboration with human resources, disability services, and facilities. The Director supervises office staff and manages external investigators.

The Director of Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator is responsible for supervising and conducting intake of alleged discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. Determines whether formal or informal resolutions are appropriate, and when necessary, supervises and conducts investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct involving students, staff, and faculty. Coordinates as needed with human resources, the provost, and the dean of students.

This person will report to the Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration and has a matrixed reporting relationship to the President’s Chief of Staff. Coordinates closely on a day-to-day basis with the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion and General Counsel, and works closely with other members of institution leadership.

This is a significant opportunity to support a diverse workforce and participate in the institution’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Institutional Monitoring and Compliance Relating to Discrimination (35%)

As Title IX Coordinator, ensure that policies, procedures, and practices regarding sex discrimination and harassment and sexual misconduct comply with Title IX, other federal laws related to the Title IX program and sexual misconduct on campus (e.g., the Violence Against Women Act and the Campus Sexual Assault and Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act) and any relevant state law; ensure that policies and processes reflect best practices in the field.

Ensure that complaints, reports, and investigations of all forms of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct are handled in accordance with institution policies in compliance with insurer requirements, and through prompt, fair, and impartial practices and standards. This includes the receipt, evaluation, investigation, and resolution of complaints, as well as training of those involved in investigations and adjudication.

Collaborate with enterprise risk management and Consortium Risk Management on all relevant matters.

Maintain the institution’s policies regarding discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, as well as reviewing and revising the internal processes and practices for the investigation and adjudication of these issues.

Facilitate coordination and collaboration with and among institution offices – including but not limited to including the student life, human resources, academic affairs, disability services, and campus safety – on discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct issues. Collaborate with groups and offices on campus to build relationships that serve as the foundation for cooperation and open dialogue with and among students, faculty, and staff.

As the ADA and 504 coordinator, coordinate compliance with the ADA/Section 504 in collaboration with human resources, disability services, facilities, and campus planning. Co-chair the disability and accessibility inclusion committee; monitor compliance with state and federal laws regarding accessibility, and handle grievances relating to accommodations process or disability discrimination/ harassment.

Develop and maintain professional relationships with Title IX coordinators at neighboring campuses, with the goal of facilitating and promoting joint training and prevention efforts.

Serve as institutional representative on Title IX, discrimination, and sexual misconduct related matters, including in communications with government officials.

Maintain records and reports in accordance with the law and institution policies including coordination and assisting campus safety on Clery Act-related matters.

Oversee Investigations and Adjudications (35%)

Responsible for supervising and conducting intake of alleged discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.

Supervise the work of internal investigators and conduct investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct involving students, staff and faculty. Coordinate as needed with human resources, the provost, and the dean of students. Identify and manage outside investigators, when needed.

Has responsibility for determining whether informal resolutions such as mediation are appropriate in any given matter. Mediate conflicts regarding discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, when appropriate.

Coordinate support for students involved in sexual misconduct cases on other campuses.

Oversee the adjudication processes of the Sexual Misconduct Policy and other policies related to discrimination and harassment.

Maintain records in accordance with the law and institution policies.

Education, Prevention, and Outreach (10%)

Provide information to students, faculty, and staff regarding their rights and responsibilities with regard to sexual misconduct and the institution’s Title IX program as well as all issues of discrimination and harassment, including information about the resources available on and off campus, how to access these resources, and policies and processes.

Work to ensure an equitable and welcoming campus climate by leading, supporting, and communicating regularly with the institution community about the institution’s discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct program, including prevention efforts. Effectively collaborate with students, faculty, and staff working on such efforts.

Conduct, oversee, or coordinate training for students, faculty, and staff about the institution’s nondiscrimination policies and grievance procedures, including all issues of discrimination and harassment, sexual misconduct prevention efforts, and its Title IX program as a whole.

Partner with multiple units on education initiatives to support students who have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct or who are involved in grievance processes.

Management and Supervision (10%)

Create a vision for the Office for Civil Rights Compliance, and develop and work towards achieving goals to fulfill that vision.

Manage employees within the office for civil rights compliance. The position currently oversees a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and periodic administrative support.

Assessment and Reporting (5%)

Lead periodic review of all complaints/reports of sexual misconduct and, in coordination with the appropriate institution offices (e.g., student life, human resources, and campus safety), identify and address any patterns/systemic issues.

In collaboration with institutional research and with students, faculty, and staff, coordinate and/or oversee the development and implementation of any assessments (e.g., surveys) of campus climate and policies and procedures to address sexual misconduct.

Utilize, review, and assess findings to enhance the effectiveness of the institution’s policies, compliance, and education efforts around discrimination, harassment, ADA/Section 504, and sexual misconduct and address the need for modifying policies.

Maintain, analyze, and report on data related to the reports, complaints, and investigations related to various forms of discrimination and harassment on campus.

Collaboration on Equity and Inclusion (5%)

Work with the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion and the Equity & Inclusion team to advance projects and initiatives that advance equity and inclusion for the entire institution.

In collaboration with the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion, lead campus committees and working groups related to bias and discrimination.

May include other responsibilities as assigned.

All employees are expected to participate in the institution’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of current state and federal law and regulations—as well as identified best practices and trends in the field of education—related to discrimination, harassment, disabilities, and sexual misconduct on college campuses.

Understanding of the recent developments regarding sexual misconduct on campus impacting campuses across the country.

The ability to navigate tensions between academic freedom and compliance with the institution’s legal requirements with sophistication and diplomacy.

Exceptional communication, collaboration, and presentation skills; capable of effectively conveying complicated and sensitive information to diverse audiences.

Professionalism, decorum, and diplomacy in all interactions, with the ability to engage others with respect and empathy, in line with the institution’s mission and values.

Sound judgment, objectivity, and integrity.

Talent for listening and facilitating difficult conversations.

Facility with trauma-informed practices.

Ability to prepare and present detailed reports, educational programs, training, and assessments.

Excellent written and oral communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, planning, presentation, and project management skills.

Ability to build rapport, work collaboratively with, and navigate complex issues across constituencies on and off campus, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Cultural competence and sensitivity to the concerns and needs of diverse student, faculty, and staff populations.

Understanding of the residential liberal arts college experience and a passion to work collaboratively within a highly consultative campus culture.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree, required. An advanced degree in a relevant field such as a law degree, preferred.

Minimum seven years of significant Title IX, non-discrimination, ADA/504 or related experience, required.

Minimum three years of leadership and/or management experience, preferred.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Experience successfully working with confidential and sensitive information.

Please attach/upload a current resume and cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position.

Position Type:

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts.  A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of  equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty.  The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.