Director of Title IX and Equal Opportunity

The Director of Title IX & Equal Opportunity serves as the designated Title IX Coordinator for the College. In this role, the Director ensures compliance with

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of the 1972 Civil Rights Act ("Title IX"),
• ADA/Section 504, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act
• the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013 ("VAWA"),
• the Colleges' Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity (PAA)
• the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act ("Campus SaVE"),
• and other related federal and state laws. 

The Director has primary responsibility for coordinating Title IX investigations to develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, and practices that comply with all federal and state legislation and regulations related to identity-based discrimination, harassment, and sexual and gender-based violence as well as the Massachusetts State University System's Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan. The individual in this role with be responsible for the report intake process, case management, and implementing supportive measures for impacted parties. The Director will also be responsible for developing and delivering training on relevant topics within the community and assisting with other aspects of Title IX compliance.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Oversee receipt, investigation, live hearings and resolution of discrimination and harassment complaints, including Title IX complaints of sexual violence, sexual and gender-based harassment, domestic and dating violence, stalking and retaliation by employees and others protected under state and federal laws and regulations and/or the Equal Opportunity Plan.
• Monitor developments in law, policy, and practice related to civil rights, Title IX, and sexual misconduct, identify areas of institutional risk, and develops plans of action for ensuring College and System policies and standard operating procedures comply with state and federal laws and regulations and the State University System's Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan, including the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.
• Serve as a member of the Massachusetts State University System Title IX working group.
• Support ongoing evaluation and assessment of policies addressing harassment and/or prohibited discrimination for effectiveness.
• Collect, maintain, and analyze data, as appropriate to contribute to federal and state annual reporting requirements.
• Review and respond to incident reports, formal and informal  complaints with an initial outreach to potential complainants (students, faculty, staff, and third parties), assist with  triaging incidents, coordinate and manage complaints through the department's database system, maintain confidential records in accordance with College policies, engage in collaborative problem-solving and coordinate the provision of supportive measures for impacted parties in a fair and impartial manner that emphasizes excellent communication skills, empathy, and patience.
• General administrative duties include maintaining resolution timelines in compliance with College policies including the Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan and Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, communicating with campus partners regarding policy enforcement and providing support to the Title IX Coordinator and Investigators.
• Participate in the development and implementation of EO and Title IX policies and procedures as they relate to the Massachusetts State University System's Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan.
• Coordinates ongoing assessment and response to needs of campus community, and,
• developing training programs to meet these needs in the areas of equity, discrimination, and other EO related issues.
• Counsels' individuals with concerns or complaints related to EO and Title IX, emphasizing problem resolution, and answers public and employee inquiries.
• Assist with the management of the Massachusetts State System's Equal Opportunity Plan, including the Policy Against Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment and Retaliation, and the Sexual Violence Policy.
• Serve as an investigator of EO based discrimination and harassment complaints.
• Coordinate with campus partners to develop, review, and revise content for the College's written and online materials related to Title IX and Equal Opportunity ensuring that it is in alignment with the System's Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan, including the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.
• Responsible for communicating EO and Title IX compliance requirements state and federal laws, as well as the Massachusetts State University System's Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan and providing consultation to individuals and College leaders.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

• Assist in improving the effectiveness of complaint processing and response protocols to ensure individual needs are being met while systemic issues are identified and addressed.
• Coordinate with campus partners to develop and enhance training, education, and awareness programs pertinent to EO, Title IX, and sexual misconduct.

• Master's degree from an accredited institution plus three (3) years of relevant experience or bachelor's degree plus five (5) years of relevant experience required.
• Must have knowledge of Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Clery Act, VAWA, FERPA, affirmative action, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or other applicable federal and state civil rights and employment laws, regulations, and court decisions.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information appropriately; strong and effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of MCLA community members.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate a significant caseload, attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to research, organize, and present information in person and on virtual platforms.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Must also have the ability to organize, index, and track records to further compliance with regulatory timelines/deadlines.
• Thorough knowledge of office systems to organize information into reports and the capability of handling multiple work priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or other advanced degree plus five (5) years of related experience
• Experience working in a higher education or legal environment
• Demonstrated experience with policies and procedures for responding to allegations of discrimination, harassment, and sexual or gender-based misconduct
• Demonstrated knowledge of investigatory procedures related to student and/or employee conduct, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in a higher education setting.
• Proficiency with Maxient or other case management software
• Substantive training/certification in Title IX compliance and investigations from ATIXA or similar organizations.

This is a full-time benefited non-unit position. Annual salary range is $80,000 - $85,000.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts strongly encourages employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.  The Centers for Disease Control recommendation is that everyone aged 6 and up should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they've received any original COVID-19 vaccines.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Joeseph DaSilva, Vice President of Administration and Finance. 

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.  

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both. 

Liz Frost

Interim Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer 

375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247 

Titleix@mcla.edu 

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights  

33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424  

Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172  

OCR.Boston@ed.gov