Title: Director of Employee Relations, Compliance & Title IX Coordinator

Department: Human Resources

Campus: Queens



Reports to: Associate Vice President of Human Resources, Chief Diversity Officer & Deputy General Counsel

Job Summary:

The position is responsible for ensuring that University policies, procedures and training efforts support a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination and in compliance with all federal, state and local employment laws and regulations, including Title VII and Title IX. Serve as the University's Title IX Coordinator. The Director oversees one Associate Director for Employee Relations and an Employee Relations Specialist. The unit is responsible for investigating internal claims of discrimination; working with the General Counsel's office to respond to external agency claims; working with external counsel on all aspects of work authorization matters; and providing training to faculty, managers and employees on a range of employment law topics. The position will chair the University's anti-bias response committee. The position also monitors the external legal environment and works with the HR Communications Manager to develop and update HR policies, ensuring compliance and participating on the University's Policy Review Committee. The position also manages the Employee Assistance Program vendor relationship and participates in special projects and committees as requested.

Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Compliance:

• Conduct investigations, and provide oversight and direction to direct reports in their investigations, of all internal complaints of discrimination, sexual harrassment and other employee/manager matters.
• Conducts interviews, review documentation, provide analysis of cases and prepare final investigative reports in a timely manner.
• Monitors legislative updates and changes to case law to ensure compliance and assess impact on policies and practices; recommend revisions when necessary.
• Acts as the point of appeal for employees in non-discrimination related complaints and ADA cases.
• Ensure the appropriate regulatory employment postings are displayed on each campus and other University locations.

Title IX Coordinator:

• Coordinate Title IX efforts including the development, implementation, and monitoring of appropriate disclosures, policies, procedures and practices designed to comply with federal and state legislation, regulation, and case law requiring the prompt and equitable resolution of all complaints pursuant to Title IX;
• Provide leadership, direction and supervision for all activities and personnel of the Title IX program including consulting with relevant policy-making bodies and senior personnel for the purpose of advising, clarifying and identifying necessary action to eliminate sex and/or gender-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities, to ensure that access to facilities, opportunities, and resources is gender equitable throughout the district or campus;
• Provide ongoing training, consultation, and technical assistance on Title IX for all students and employees, with specialized training content for hearing officers/boards, investigators, campus law enforcement and appeals officers;
• Develop, implement and coordinate campus and/or school-based strategic efforts aimed at the prevention of sexual violence and other forms of sex and/or gender-based discrimination;
• Develop and disseminate educational materials, including brochures, posters, and web-based materials that inform members of the school or campus community (students, faculty, administers, staff, and parents) of Title IX rights, responsibilities and resources both within and external to school/campus premises;
• Oversee prompt, effective, and equitable intake, investigation, processing, issuing of findings of fact, and timely resolution of all instances of sex/gender discrimination made known to responsible employees and/or reported or filed by students, faculty, employees, third parties, or by members of the broader community;
• Oversee Title IX compliance efforts of other campus/school delegates, departments and offices (e.g., deputy Title IX administrators, investigators, student conduct/discipline, victim services, public safety, nurse/health services, counseling services, student affairs, human resources, faculty/academic affairs, athletics, etc.);
• Provide appropriate notice of an investigation; determine the extent of an investigation; appoint, train, and supervise Title IX investigators and any deputy coordinators; oversee investigation efforts; ensure provision of initial remedial actions; assure compliance with timelines; deliver appropriate notice of charge, notice of hearing, notice of outcome, duty to warn, and remedies, and provide a repository for and source of institutional record-keeping (may also be delegated);
• Provide guidance and assistance to alleged victims of sexual violence and sex/gender discrimination including referral to support resources, notice of right to file internal grievances, notice of the right to grieve to the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, and notice of the right to report incidents to law enforcement;
• Monitor institutional compliance with and provide ongoing consultation on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and related federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment against all protected classes (OCR enforces both Section 504 and Title IX, but joint responsibility may not fall to Title IX Coordinator for all campuses or districts);
• Organize and maintain grievance files, disposition reports, and other records regarding Title IX compliance, including annual reports of the number and nature of filed complaints and the disposition of said complaints, data collection, climate assessment, pattern monitoring; and
• Serve as principal contact for government inquiries pursuant to Title IX.

Work Authorization:

• Facilitate hiring and retaining of the best faculty by managing the temporary and permanent work permit application process for all foreign nationals.
• In consultation with outside immigration counsel, act as liaison in handling all visa matters for the University.

Employee Assistance Program:

• Oversee the relationship with current provider to ensure services are delivered according to the terms of the contract.
• Provide feedback to the vendor regading the quality of programs and services delivered.
• Provide direction for new services needed based on University initiatives.
• Ensure ongoing communication to the University community announcing programs/services and encourage/monitor broad based participation.
• Benchmark contracted services against other providers to ensure we maximize programs available to the University community at a competitive cost.

Training for Sexual Harassment & Discrimination:

• Lead effort in the development and delivery of training to the University community (employees and faculty) on employment law related topics as needed.
• Identify vendors and/or tailor content to each respective group related to the type and degree of student contact.
• Continually review content to ensure it meets the needs of the University and is current with respect to any legislative and internal policy changes.
• Monitor participation levels and evaluate participant feedback to continually improve program content and delivery.
• Consider/develop alternative training delivery vehicles such as on-line, etc.

Other HR Support:

• Participate in University-wide committees and activities as requested/needed.
• Participate in the Multi-cultural committee and coordinate HR Networking events.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Qualifications:

• Seven to ten years of experience in HR or related field.
• Broad based experience in Human Resources with extensive employee relations and compliance knowledge.
• A law degree preferred but not required.

St. John's offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John's performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events.

I understand that any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John's University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.

St. John's University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.



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