Associate Director, Investigations Student Anti-Discrimination Division

About this role

Position Summary

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) serves as a centralized resource for addressing all reports of discrimination and discriminatory harassment, including reports that involve alleged violations of Title VI and Title VII, reports that involve alleged violations of Title IX and the University’s Gender Based Misconduct Policy, as well as reports that relate to violations of the Protection of Minors Policy. The Office is responsible for reviewing, investigating and managing all incidents from inception through resolution whether the Respondent is a student, faculty, staff member or affiliate.

Reporting to the Director of Investigations, Student Anti-Discrimination Division, the Associate Director is responsible for investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination and discriminatory harassment based on a protected class, other than gender, retaliation and other prohibited conduct, under the Student Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students, filed against students.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a prompt and thorough investigation when a complaint is filed which includes identifying and interviewing witnesses, gathering relevant documentation and preparing a detailed report of the investigative findings to ensure a well-documented investigation process.
• Work closely with other University offices in the course of investigations. This position requires a significant amount of writing and analysis of documents, and an ability to investigate multiple complaints simultaneously in an efficient manner.
• Maintain accurate and thorough investigatory files and reports; providing on-going updates to the Directors of Investigations, and others as needed.
• Work closely with the Director of Investigations and a variety of university and community resources including but not limited to the Office of the General Counsel, the Center for Student Success and Intervention, Columbia University Human Resources, and Deans of Students Offices to ensure thorough investigative process and compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Assist with alternative resolutions, as well as supportive and interim measures. Will assist, as needed, with campus training, reporting, campus programming and outreach, and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and Juris doctor degree required.
• A minimum of four years of experience conducting investigations related to protected class discrimination and harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and gender-related violence in a higher education setting or other related field, or equivalent combination of degree and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and the ability to interpret federal, state and local equal opportunity and non-discrimination laws and regulations.
• A successful candidate must have strong organization, planning, analytic and problem resolution abilities and excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to remain neutral.
• Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; multitask and meet sensitive timelines; use discretion and good judgment; maintain a high level of confidentiality, and work collaboratively with diverse constituencies including students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Writing sample required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Title VI, Title VII and Title IX.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough, impartial and efficient investigations.
• Excellent judgment with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and to produce concise, logical, analytical reports concerning complex issues.
• Excellent critical thinking skills, including the demonstrated ability to analyze information, evaluate and problem solve.
• Strong ability to multitask and meet sensitive timelines
• Work collaboratively with diverse constituencies including students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners.