Director of Investigations

Department: Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing

Salary: $120,000 - $130,000 per year

Compensation Band: OS-OA11-Fiscal Year 2023-2024

FTE: 1.0

Hybrid eligible

Application Review Begins

UPDATED: June 27, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered for this position, submit a complete application, including an online application, cover letter, and resume. The cover letter should address how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Your cover letter should specifically address your experience with complex analysis and report writing. If you do not have prior experience working as an investigator, your cover letter should address the transferable skills and experiences that will help you succeed in this role of Director of Investigations.

Department Summary

The Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance (OICRC) provides a single location at the University of Oregon for reporting and responding to complaints of prohibited discrimination and harassment, including investigating potential policy violations. The Office supports the University’s compliance with federal and state laws regarding discrimination and harassment and equal employment opportunity.

Position Summary

The Director of Investigations (DOI) supports the work of the AVP/Chief Civil Rights Officer & Title IX Coordinator and serves as the Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator on campus. In that role, the DOI will participate as needed as a designee of the Title IX Coordinator in key decision-making and risk assessment roles, including in relation to Title IX and other matters.

This position has primary responsibility for overseeing OICRC’s investigative processes including supervising and providing daily leadership to the team of investigators responsible for investigating alleged prohibited discrimination and harassment and other UO policy violations. The DOI ensures compliance with investigative processes and timelines, guides the investigators, and reviews the investigators’ work product and decisions. The DOI serves as the point of contact for parties and their advisors during investigations and as the hearings facilitator in student conduct cases. The DOI works collaboratively with OICRC administrative staff, including the Case Coordinator to help coordinate OICRC’s response to complaints of discrimination and harassment.

The DOI develops templates, protocols, and procedures for OICRC student conduct and employee investigations. The DOI also assists with policy development and may conduct high-level investigations. The DOI may also provide training across campus.

The DOI coordinates as needed with campus partners such as Dean of Students, UOPD, General Counsel and Employee and Labor Relations. The DOI must exhibit professionalism, collegiality and discretion, excellent judgement in difficult situations, and possess the ability and commitment to work collaboratively across campus with diverse stakeholders to refine cross-institutional procedures and policies.

Minimum Requirements

• JD or Master’s Degree in a field relevant to the position, such as higher education administration/student affairs, human resources, organizational development, or public policy; OR comparable work experience.
• Five or more years of experience investigating allegations of prohibited discrimination and harassment, grievances or related workplace, civil rights, or institutional investigations as a primary job responsibility; OR comparable work experience of a similar nature and complexity.
• Experience writing investigation reports, grievance responses, and/or other similarly complex reports, motions, or other writings.
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, in support of an inclusive and welcoming environment.
  
  

Professional Competencies

• Highly analytical with excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to write policy analysis and interpret legal writings.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, including setting priorities and achieving department goals.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, using strong professional judgment, high ethical standards, and sound decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with campus and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work with confidential information and navigate multiple privacy frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to respond appropriately and with sensitivity to persons in crisis or emergency situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to explain complex concepts to non-experts.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising professional staff, including investigators.
• Professional experience in higher education.
• Experience working with students, employees and/or clients in stressful situations.
• Proficient in Maxient (case management database software) or other similar software, including the ability to teach and train others.
• Knowledge of principles of progressive discipline.
• Experience overseeing, adjudicating, or assisting parties in administrative or other hearings.
  
  

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.