Assistant Director of Civil Rights Compliance

This position will assist with requests from GVSU employees for work related ADA accommodations and assist in investigations to resolve complaints of discrimination, harassment and misconduct. This position will work closely with university policies and use the interactive process to assist employees in finding appropriate workplace accommodations as well as conduct investigations of complaints filed by students and employees in the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

Primary Duties

• Facilitate the interactive process with supervisors and staff. Consider reasonable accommodations that make it possible for disabled employees to do their jobs and unit needs are met.
• Assists employees in understanding their disabilities as well as their rights and responsibilities related to reasonable accommodations.
• Review and analyze medical and psychological evaluations to determine eligibility of GVSU employees with disabilities.
• Maintain a case management system that supports accurate and confidential record keeping for each employee including information related to eligibility and provision of services.
• Oversee the electronic generation of accommodation letters and case consultation with other staff.
• Identify University policies and/or Student Conduct Code provisions relevant to a complaint and exercise judgment regarding the resolution of complaints including informal resolution and formal investigation.
• Conduct a prompt, equitable and impartial administrative investigation into complaints including identifying and interviewing parties and identifying, gathering, and assessing information relevant to the investigation; apply relevant policies and make findings of fact in individual cases.
• Recruit and train co-investigators, as needed.
• Serve as a member of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX team and provide advice and consultation to the team.
• Actively foster and maintain a climate that is supportive of students and affirming of diversity. Provide information to students, employees and others regarding University policies related to sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment.
• Create and facilitate training/presentations to students, student groups, and employees regarding the University's policies and identifying and integrating best practices into the complaint resolution process.
• Develop and maintain relationships and clear lines of communication with university and community partners. Collaborate with on and off campus resources including law enforcement and victim services in resolving complaints.
• Continuously identify and integrate best practices in the Title IX investigation area into knowledge base and practice; stay abreast of current movements in the field of student conduct and employee investigations by participating in conferences, workshops, etc.
• Cultivate relationships with university stakeholders (e.g., faculty, students, and staff) and build relationships with colleagues at peer institutions; review current literature and research; participate in local, regional and/or national professional associations and organizations.
• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum two (2) years of professional experience conducting investigations.
• Minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience in human resources or a related field, with experience in reasonable accommodation and/or disability management.
• Strong knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices related to reasonable accommodation and disability management.
• Familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• A high degree of confidentiality, discretion, judgment, collaboration, and the ability to build strong relationships.
• Understanding of or ability to quickly gain an understanding of Grand Valley State University’s policies and processes.
• Commitment to inclusion and equity, and experience working with diverse populations.
• Proficiency in the use of standard office equipment and with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, website design, Adobe, and other software.
• Excellent judgment with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong skills in the areas of conflict resolution, problem solving techniques, interviewing and investigation.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess and negotiate complex, highly sensitive situations.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills demonstrated by the ability to analyze information, evaluate results, and facilitate resolution of difficult challenges, including the ability to handle issues of complex and extreme sensitivity.
• Skill in writ