People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Equity Investigator Senior

  • Title: Equity Investigator Senior
  • Category: Confidential
  • FLSA: Exempt
  • Grade: II

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Diversity Officer, and with considerable discretion, investigates claims of discrimination and/or harassment lodged by students, employees, faculty and others associated with the college. Creates partnerships across the district to create a culture of equity and inclusion.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Conducts and coordinates investigations of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Americans with Disabilities Act related complaints to determine whether federal, state or local rules, policies or regulations were violated.  Creates investigation plans for each complaint.
  2. Acts as a neutral party throughout investigatory process.
  3. Interviews complainants, respondents, witnesses, and other individuals, including conducting site visits; reviews records of past practices.
  4. Mediates and utilizes alternative resolution and problem solving processes to resolve internal organizational complaints and claims; prepares and submits fact-finding reports and makes recommendations on appropriate resolution of claims.
  5. Oversees work assignments of casual employees, coordinates the assignment of duties, investigatory reports and recommendations.
  6. Works with deans and managers, and/or appropriate personnel to obtain needed information; analyzes information and data obtained from investigations to determine validity. Assists and provides guidance to employees in completing complaint forms; explains complaint investigation processes and procedures.
  7. Maintains files and databases of inquiries and investigations and reports activity as requested by the Chief Diversity Officer; records, reviews and catalogs all documents related to a complaint.
  8. Works closely with Title IX coordinators to identify and support policy improvement and recommends programs, strategies and other collaborative activities to prevent discrimination and harassment from occurring at the College.
  9. Remains knowledgeable of federal and state law and regulations, and trends within higher education related to harassment and other discriminatory practices. Identifies and integrates best practices into knowledge base and practice. Attends conferences, trainings and participates on committees as needed.
  10. Works in collaboration with the Chief Diversity Officer in identifying training needs for supervisors, managers, and employees on EEO, ADA, and harassment related issues. Provides guidance and designs, develops and implements training on appropriate methods and strategies for mediation and conflict resolution to supervisors, managers, and employees on EEO, ADA, and harassment related issues.
  11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctorate (JD) and 2 years of experience in the investigation of EEO, ADA, affirmative action or employment related complaints or a Bachelor’s degree in social science, business, human resources, or related field and 5 years of experience in the investigation of EEO, ADA, affirmative action or employment related complaints and mediating conflict. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, the Americans with Disabilities Act, other applicable civil rights and employment laws, regulations and court decisions;
  • Equal employment and affirmative action investigations, including interview methods and techniques;
  • Principles and practices of employee labor relations, including negotiation and contract administration practices;
  • Principles of conducting investigations, including interview methods and techniques;
  • Research methods and data analysis techniques;
  • Collective bargaining agreements.
Skills in:
  • Organization, synthesis and analysis of varied and complex information and problems; Conducting, planning, organizing and leading investigations, facilitations, and preparation of reports and recommendations;
  • Listening, identifying, eliciting and distilling essential information needed to assess and resolve problems and issues;
  • Designing, implementing and utilizing data gathering and reporting procedures;
  • Negotiation, problem-solving, analytical and conflict resolution;
  • Utilizing computer technology used for communication, data gathering and reporting.
Ability to:
  • Work with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff;
  • Effectively communicate policies, procedures, and legal concepts in oral and written formats;
  • Work collaboratively with others and foster effective working relationships;
  • Maintain confidences and exercise sound judgment and discretion;
  • Tolerate a high degree of ambiguity; Work with emotional individuals in a compassionate, professional and courteous manner and to diffuse and manage situations involving intense conflict;
  • Maintain confidentiality and professional relationships in dealing with sensitive, complex civil rights, legal and human resource issues and situations.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in an office environment, with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. Frequent reaching, sitting, walking, and standing may be required. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job. Incumbents are required to work and maintain offices at more than one location. Frequent travel within the college district utilizing personal vehicle is required. Occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Reviewed: 12/2018
New: 9/2015