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Job Summary
The Assistant Vice President for Equity and Equity Investigations, Title IX Coordinator (“AVP for Equity”) is an integral part of meeting Caltech’s commitment to provide a safe, inclusive and respectful learning, living and working environment for its students, faculty, postdoctoral scholars and staff members. This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, with a dotted line reporting relationship to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The AVP for Equity works closely with a range of Institute partners, including Student Affairs, Human Resources, Security, the Office of the Provost and the Office of General Counsel to ensure compliance with Title IX and other federal and state laws and regulations relating to unlawful harassment and discrimination (“harassment” and “discrimination”), including on the basis of sex and gender. The AVP for Equity closely collaborates with senior management and academic leadership, including the Provost, Deans, and Division Chairs, to resolve concerns and identify training opportunities. As a member of the campus CARE team, the position also collaborates with campus partners to ensure appropriate and coordinated care and support for community members in need.
The position supervises three full-time staff members of the Equity and Title IX Office: Team Administrator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Civil Rights Resolution Specialist; and Assistant Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Civil Rights Resolution Specialist. The office has additional support from a designated Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Staff. In addition, the position oversees the administration of a state grant that funds a Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate for the campus community and coordinates campus outreach and training initiatives with the Advocate.
This is a Campus Critical position. An employee designated as campus critical is expected to be aware of the campus emergency management plan and to report to Campus as soon as possible in the event of an emergency to assist in campus wide response and recovery efforts.
Title IX Coordinator:
The AVP for Equity is the chief administrator overseeing the Institute’s compliance with Title IX and has primary responsibility for addressing reports and grievances relating to sex- and gender-based misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and sex- and gender-based discrimination. The AVP for Equity is responsible for ensuring the Institute meets its reporting, compliance and investigatory obligations pursuant to Title IX and VAWA as well as other federal and state laws, and Institute policies and procedures related to sex- and gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence. As the Title IX Coordinator, this person will ensure that community members are aware of the options and resources with respect to reporting and filing complaints alleging sex- and gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence. The AVP for Equity is responsible for overseeing the Equity and Title IX Office’s intake of reported concerns and complaints, the assessment and provision of supportive and safety measures, the determination of appropriate next steps and options and rights of parties, and the appropriate provision of information to involved persons. As the administrator with ultimate responsibility for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations concerning sex- and gender-based misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, the AVP for Equity works with a high level of autonomy and serves as a primary resource to campus, senior management, other administrators and the broad campus community on matters related to these areas.
Equity:
The AVP for Equity is responsible for development and review of Institute policies related to equal opportunity, discrimination and harassment and for administrating compliance with those policies and related federal, state and local nondiscrimination and educations laws. The AVP for Equity oversees informal and formal resolutions of concerns and complaints.
As the AVP for Equity, this individual will develop and coordinate initiatives that raise awareness of equity and discrimination issues. This individual develops and facilitates institution-wide training programs and activities related to nondiscrimination and harassment policies and will ensure that appropriate education and training programs are in place. The AVP for Equity is responsible for determining the effectiveness of the Institute’s training and prevention programs. This may include monitoring the campus climate through surveys, focus groups and other assessment methods.
Equity Investigations:
As the individual with primary responsibility for equity investigations, the AVP for Equity is charged with overseeing the Equity and Title IX Office’s receipt and appropriate response to reports of issues, concerns and complaints of discrimination, harassment and sex- and gender-based misconduct. The AVP for Equity partners with appropriate organizations, including the Deans, Human Resources, and the Office of General Counsel, to ensure the compliant and consistent handling of investigations at the Institute relating to harassment and discrimination and to promote fundamental rights while advancing individual and institutional integrity. This position manages and oversees the Institute’s response to, including the investigation and resolution of allegations of discrimination, harassment or sexual violence on campus, directly and in collaboration with the Human Resources Employee and Organizational Development (EOD) team.
Essential Job Duties
The key priorities for this position include but are not limited to:
- Manages all office activities including processes, training, budget, and staff.
- Receives and processes inquiries and complaints from the campus community and third parties in a timely manner, providing a fair and neutral process for all parties.
- Develops and implements a case management plan for each reported incident.
- Oversees the planning and conduct of investigations by staff.
- Recruits, trains, supervises and provides leadership to staff to serve as investigators, and to conduct informal resolution measures and processes, as appropriate.
- Investigates and/or provides oversight of investigations and other processes to address and resolve concerns and complaints reported under Title IX and anti-discrimination policies, in partnership with Human Resources and Student Affairs.
- Provides guidance and assistance to victims of alleged sexual violence including referral to support resources, notice of right to file internal and external complaints, and notice of the right to report incidents to law enforcement.
- Serves as the primary compliance officer for state and federal laws relating to discrimination, harassment and sexual violence prevention.
- Oversees investigation processes, including assuring that they comply with pertinent procedures implementing legal requirements and principles of fairness and integrity.
- Maintains a case management database to organize and track reported concerns and complaints.
- Oversees activities of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators and Team Administrator.
- Provides/facilitates outreach and training on Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, and related compliance.
- Works closely with the Office of General Counsel to ensure compliance.
- Partners with the Employee and Organizational Development (EOD) group in Human Resources to respond to agency inquiries related to non-discrimination compliance such as OCR, EEOC and any other Federal or state agencies.
- Provides guidance, training, and oversight for Title IX compliance at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
- Responsible for annual review and updates of Institute non-discrimination and harassment policies to promote compliance and effectiveness.
- Interacts with all levels of the Institute to ensure that policies and practices are consistently and fairly administered.
- Keeps abreast and informs office partners on pertinent trends and regulatory updates.
- Partners with the Office of Strategic Communications to communicate with the campus community in emergencies and other appropriate circumstances, as needed.
- Develops reporting, communication, and outreach tools and messages for all levels within the Institute.
- Identifies and implements improvements to Office processes to ensure prompt and appropriate response and resolution of concerns and complaints.
- Represents and embodies Caltech’s commitment to Equity and Inclusion, including by partnering with the Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity in conducting outreach and coordinating support and response to those reporting equity concerns and complaints.
- Coordinates with Chief of Security and others to help ensure Clery Act compliance.
- Provides leadership, direction and supervision for the purpose of advising on and identifying and implementing proactive action to prevent and address discrimination in all educational programs and activities.
- Provides ongoing training, consultation and assistance to all community members.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- Higher education experience is required.
- Minimum of 8+ years of progressively responsible experience including management experience.
- Significant experience conducting investigations alleging discrimination and harassment.
- Knowledge of and experience with issues related to sex- and gender-based misconduct.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain neutrality and objectivity, act independently, take initiative and exercise sound judgment.
- Strong verbal, writing, and organizational skills.
- Experience and skill in designing, developing and implementing successful training programs, plans and services related to nondiscrimination and Title IX compliance. Ability to develop and present effective training programs for large and small groups for all constituencies as well as web-based training.
- Demonstrated problem-solving ability including history of developing novel and creative solutions. Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques and best practices. Negotiation skills sufficient to resolve complex situations and conflicts.
- Expertise and skill in exercising independent judgment in the assessment, investigation and resolution of discrimination and harassment concerns. Demonstrated knowledge of best practices and methodologies for conducting investigations, fact finding and investigative interviewing. Ability to develop, maintain and implement tools for managing and documenting investigations and projects.
- Demonstrated cultural competency; ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships and open lines of communication with diverse constituencies of students, staff and faculty.
- Ability to build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships across the Institute and peer institutions.
- Demonstrated managerial abilities and experience including the ability to effectively direct and oversee others. Knowledge of best practices for managing, motivating and developing staff.
- Working knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, case law, and guidance related to compliance with nondiscrimination laws, including sexual harassment/Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, VAWA, Clery and State FEHA.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in higher education or JD or equivalent strongly preferred.
Required Documents
