[Fall Day on the oval overlooking Main hall and mt sentinel]

The UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA is seeking applications to fill one full-time CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR position in the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX. The Civil Rights Investigator functions as a key member of the Equal Opportunity/Title IX team, which is responsible for campus compliance with state and federal civil rights law. The Civil Rights Investigator supports the University’s strategic plan and commitment to access to its programs and services in an inclusive fashion. The Civil Rights Investigator primarily supports the institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion by addressing and resolving complaints of discrimination and harassment. Additionally, the successful candidate will assist in outreach and engagement with and for the University community related to civil rights topics.

The Civil Rights Investigator independently plans, conducts, and documents investigations concerning complaints of protected class discrimination and harassment to the best practice standard. This includes conducting investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, and retaliation. The successful candidate will be able to independently produce detailed documentation of all matters, including detailed and unbiased reports of facts investigated (called a Factual Summary), understand and utilize trauma-informed interviewing techniques, and provide testimony about the methodology used and information gathered. The position reports to the Director of Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Document the intake of initial reports of protected class discrimination and harassment
• Analyze initial reports of protected class discrimination and harassment to determine jurisdiction in coordination with the Director/Title IX Coordinator
• Independently plan and execute prompt, thorough, and impartial best practice civil rights-based investigation processes for individuals who desire formal resolution to their report
• Understand and be able to utilize best practice for interviews, evidence collection, and review and application of relevant law and policy
• Develop and implement informal resolution options including mediation, facilitated conversation, and responsive training
• Draft detailed and high-quality reports of factual finding for submission to the decisionmaker, with analysis of all of the evidence gathered, including testimonial evidence, utilizing a preponderance of the evidence standard
• Ensure and engage in prompt and frequent communication with process participants
• Understand intersecting federal and state civil rights law and higher education legal obligations, including but not limited to FERPA, Clery Act, VAWA, and the First Amendment
• Work both individually and as part of the EO/TIX team to implement current and emerging best practice in investigation process and procedures
• Coordinate with the Director other EO/TIX personnel to implement interim measures and other intervention or supportive measures for eligible parties
• Develop and maintain effective collaboration with offices on campus to provide education, training, and outreach related to UM policy and federal and state civil rights law
• Provide explanation of complex process and procedures in an easily understandable way to individuals of varying levels of ability
• Work to build a culture of respect and inclusion for all members of the UM community
• Maintain thorough and accurate records for use in statistical analysis and procedural requirements
• Other internal duties as designated in line with EO/TIX objectives and jurisdiction

Required Education, Skills, & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a relevant field such as counseling, psychology, criminal justice, human resources, social work, or civil rights law and policy
• 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 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Violence Against Women’s Act, the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Clery Act)
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and critical thinking skills, including the ability to problem solve, analyze, summarize, and effectively present data in a clear, concise, sound, and supportable fashion
• Demonstrated organizational, planning, and time management skills with a preference for the ability to manage a high-volume case load with competing deadlines and priorities
• Demonstrated experience working with people from diverse background with high conflict situations such as civil rights investigations, employee/labor relations, student discipline, and/or law enforcement proceedings
• Demonstrated computer proficiency

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in a related field (for example M.S.W., J.D., M.Ed. or other relevant degree). Please note, you must explain how the advanced degree relates to your qualification for this specific position if it is not immediately evident.
• Experience with mediation and implementation of informal resolution agreements
• Experience in legal/technical writing and analysis
• Experience working with diverse populations in a higher education setting
• Sensitivity to and thorough understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals and the impacts on process access and cognitive ability
• Knowledge and familiarity with Banner and Maxient
• Prior completion of civil rights-based investigator training by a nationally recognized organization (NACUA, ATIXA, EEOC)

Position Details

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Salary for this position is $67,000 - $70,000 per year commensurate with qualifications

About the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX and UM

University of Montana is dedicated to ensuring an environment that respects the dignity of all students, employees, and guests. The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX supports the University’s goals by promoting an inclusive, diverse, and supportive environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors where they can excel regardless of their protected class status (race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran’s status, sex, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.  The Civil Rights Investigator is a Campus Security Authority.

The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX functions as an independent unit within the President’s Office.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.  The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five PRIORITIES FOR ACTION: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, MISSOULA, AND THE STATE OF MONTANA, PLEASE VISIT THE LINKS BELOW.

University of Montana

• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights

City of Missoula

• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce

The State of Montana

• Visit Montana

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: MONDAY, JULY 6, 2020 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online

A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:

1. LETTER OF INTEREST – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. DETAILED RESUME – listing education and describing work experience
3. PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES – names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Candidates selected for an interview will be required to submit a professional writing sample. The hiring committee will provide more information to these individuals.

Required Skills Required Experience