Req #: 243316

Department: COMPLIANCE AND RISK SERVICES

Posting Date: 02/25/2025

Closing Info: Closes On 03/18/2025

Salary: $7,950 - $10,834 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-contract-covered-exempt-20250130-a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. UW employees bring their energy, and creative problem-solving skills to their work and are dedicated to building stronger minds and a healthier world. UW is Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives, and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

The Department of Compliance and Risk Services has an outstanding opportunity for a Manager of Civil Rights Investigations to join their team.

Compliance and Risk Services plans, organizes, and directs all University-wide risk management functions, including:

• Compliance Services

• Risk Management

• Claims Services

• Risk Financing & Consulting

• Office of Public RecordsThe Compliance & Risk Services (CRS) is responsible for coordinating compliance with federal and state laws and guidance for discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, or creed; religion; national origin or citizenship status; sex; pregnancy; age; marital status; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; disability; and veteran status across all UW campuses, medical centers & clinics, and anywhere the UW does business or provides learning opportunities.Under the direction of the Director for Investigations & Support and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, the Manager of Civil Rights Investigations oversees a team responsible for investigating allegations that the University’s policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and related conduct have been violated. The Manager assigns and provides oversight for investigations and related activities to ensure the timely, thorough, professional, and neutral completion of all necessary investigative activities. The Manager is responsible for implementing and improving procedures and strategies to support and develop a workplace culture dedicated to high standards of investigation, and professional and compassionate interactions with community members.When necessary, this role also functions as an Investigations and Resolutions Specialist, investigating and facilitating the resolution of alleged violations of the University’s non-discrimination policies and corresponding federal and state laws according to established program practices, procedures, and regulations. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic leadership and coordination for the Civil Rights Investigations team.

• Supervise and manage the day-to-day work of six FTE Investigation and Resolution Specialists..

• Assign investigations, provide guidance and consultation, and ensure timely completion of investigations.

• Reviews and approves summaries of evidence and written reports as drafted by investigators.

• Ensure effective communication to keep parties and departments informed on the status of ongoing investigations.

• Oversee the recruitment and hiring of new civil rights investigators.

• Oversee and serve as point of contact on outsourced investigations.

• Provide general advice and guidance, training, and mentorship to civil rights investigators.

• Cultivate a supportive learning environment through professional development opportunities.

• Ensure all investigators participate in required training programs and adhere to state and federal regulations, as well as office policies and expectations.

• Conducts annual performance evaluations and day-to-day performance management of all investigators.

• Serves as Investigation representative at all Employment Case Coordination meetings.

• Ensure practices and operations maintain compliance with institutional policies and relevant legal requirements.

• Prepare and deliver reports and other documentation as necessary.

• Act as the representative for the Director in their absence in matters relating to investigations and related matters as needed.

• Negotiate settlements within delegated authority; obtains authority in excess of delegation, as appropriate and when necessary.

• Execute settlement agreements with the approval of the Director.Strategy Development and Resolution Coordination

• Stay up- to- date on current and emerging civil rights and employment laws, regulatory obligations, investigation standards and practices, and develop plans of action to ensure investigation procedures and operations are in compliance.

• Works collaboratively with Civil Rights Compliance colleagues, departments, human resources representatives and Assistant Attorneys General regarding early dispute intervention and resolution.

• Assist in developing University responses to requests for information from federal and state agencies.

• Develops and implements the strategic goals, objectives, and priorities for the Investigations team to ensure the timely, fair, and neutral intake and investigation of all complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

• Participate in cross-departmental teams in devising, refining, and implementing appropriate and creative approaches to dispute resolution, unit training, discipline, and related management efforts.

• In concert with Civil Rights Compliance and CRS leadership, identify ongoing process improvements related to investigations and takes leadership in implementing changes as directed.

• Assist in developing and streamlining university and office policies and procedures.

• Implements best practice strategies.Investigation

• Investigate, evaluate, and advise on potential exposure of risk associated with complaints which assert violations of University of Washington policies, including non-discrimination policies, sexual misconduct policies, and related procedures, and, if accepted, complaints of policy violations for which there are no other established administrative processes available.

• Prepares written reports, and in some cases orally communicates investigative factual determinations and analysis to complainants, subjects, departments, and others with a business reason to know.

• Under the direction of the Director, investigate, evaluates, and advises potential exposure of risk associated with externally filed complaints and charges against the University of Washington, including complaints of discrimination (e.g, Title VII, ADEA, ADA, Title IX, Title VI, etc.), retaliation, and harassment.

• Conducts investigations in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and applicable case law.

• Coordinate or assist in providing agencies with detailed written responses and information that complies substantively and procedurally with agency standards.

• Monitor agency action until file closing and assists with implementation of compliance agreements.

• Participates in external agency fact-finding and mediation conferences as necessary.

• Consult with the Director as appropriate.

• Ensure that appropriate investigation planning occurs, elevates departmental impact issues to appropriate colleagues when necessary, and assist in advising in post-investigation plan coordinated by CRS.Data Management

• Maintain records and data consistent with data integrity standards using the data management systems and related tools.

• Use program metrics to analyze data and report to CRS leadership on trends and operational performance.

• On request, develop regular reports to show trends and assess for areas of improvement.Lead Responsibilities

• Directs and guides the work of six Investigation and Resolution Specialists (IRS).

• Perform administrative oversight, allocate investigations, and other assignments to staff and ensures appropriate workflow for investigations, providing guidance and consultation regarding issues that might arise during investigation and/or when requested by the IRS, and/or managing and/or assisting the IRS with communication and coordination with other parts of the University as necessary.

• Review the quality of work of each IRS and all investigations.

• Promote diversity and inclusion in the offices and encourage the sharing of diverse opinions and concerns.

• Foster a culture of trust, respect, and accountability within the team.

• Conduct annual performance evaluations and performance management of civil rights investigators, and, in consultation with the Director for Civil Rights Compliance Office, takes high-level personnel actions.

• Promotes a learning environment in the offices through leadership and personal example.Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise and direct the day-to-day work of six FTE

• Provide general advice and guidance, training, and mentorship to civil rights investigators.

• Ensures that all civil rights investigators attend necessary Investigative training programs and stay in compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Conduct annual performance evaluations and day- to- day performance management of all investigators.

• Provides management and other reports as required. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree and seven years of experience conducting investigations or Juris Doctor degree and four years of experience in employment law & Investigations.

• Three years of leadership/management experience, and demonstrated commitment to developing others. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Deep working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations related to compliance with nondiscrimination laws, including but not limited to Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, the WLAD, and ADA.

• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze information, evaluate results, and facilitate resolution of difficult challenges.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to both be impartial and project impartiality, and to establish rapport with a diverse range of community members.

• Proven ability to be a strategic partner and trusted advisor.

• Ability to manage issues of complex and extreme sensitivity with a high level of professionalism.

• Experience supervising investigative work, developing others, leading a cohesive team, and setting strategic direction.

• Demonstrate effective change management and leadership skills.

• Proven ability to successfully balance personnel management duties with other, competing priorities.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, organize and plan work to meet critical deadlines. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience within academic and research institutions of higher education or government agency.

• Professional experience in conducting civil rights investigations in a public higher education environment.

• Experience conducting investigations of alleged sexual misconduct, including complaints of sexual assault, stalking, relationship violence, and/or domestic violence.

• Experience representing employers to enforcement agencies, such as the EEOC or the Washington State Human Rights Commission.

• Excellent skills in the areas of conflict resolution, problem-solving techniques, and interviewing best practices (including trauma-informed investigation practices for sexual misconduct matters).

• Ability to use computer systems and databases effectively and efficiently, including Microsoft Office.We encourage applicants to apply even if they do not feel they satisfy all the skills listed below; we understand that it will take some time for the successful applicant to strengthen specific position skills where needed, to learn about Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, the ADA, and related laws, university systems, and campus partnerships. You will join a supportive team that will partner with you in these efforts; we are an open, creative, highly engaged, and collaborative office based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect. We believe in the importance of quality of life, embracing diversity, and making a difference. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.