Department: Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $75,000 - $85,000 per year for Investigator; $85,000 - $92,000 per year for Senior Investigator
Compensation Band: OS-OA08-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0
Hybrid eligible
2 positions available
Application Review Begins
January 27, 2025; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure consideration, please include the following with your online application:
• A current resume;
• A cover letter that demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
We are interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t think you meet every qualification in the job description including the preferred qualifications. Use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring.
Department Summary
The Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance is responsible for working with all members of the University of Oregon community to ensure that the university is meeting the letter and spirit of its legal obligations related to affirmative action, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination, and to support the university's commitment to diversity.
Position Summary
The Investigator/Senior Investigator plays a critical role in the university's response to reported incidents of prohibited discrimination. The Investigator/Senior Investigator will assess reports of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation regarding protected classes. The investigator will be expected to document and monitor follow-up for complaints that fall below the threshold for full investigation, and conduct and document fair, thorough, and timely investigations. The Senior Investigator will additionally work with units across campus to resolve complaints that fall below the threshold for a full investigation; timely conduct and document fair, thorough investigations; and assist with informal resolutions where appropriate.
Key Responsibilities of the Investigator:
• Assess, and investigate discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints. Conduct necessary steps to accurately assess whether reported conduct constitutes a potential policy violation; document and monitor follow-up for complaints that fall below the threshold for a full investigation.
• Understand and follow proper procedures for addressing complaints and for investigations.
• Create comprehensive, organized, well-written, and well-analyzed written investigation reports.
• Follow procedures for maintaining records and managing case files including documenting interviews, recording actions taken and decisions made, and properly utilizing the office’s case management system.
• Stay informed of relevant trends and developments.
• Participate in the evaluation and ongoing development of policies and procedures.
• Deliver training to colleagues around campus.
Key Responsibilities of the Senior Investigator:
• Assess, resolve, and investigate discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints. Conduct necessary steps to accurately assess whether reported conduct constitutes potential policy violation; work with units across campus to address and resolve complaints that fall below the threshold for a full investigation.
• Understand and follow proper procedures for addressing complaints and for investigations including creating comprehensive, well-written, and well-analyzed written reports.
• Assist with facilitating informal resolutions.
• Serve as a neutral decision-maker in cases where respondents are students. This involves making pre-hearing decisions about petitions, relevance and other evidentiary issues; overseeing all aspects of the live hearing including deciding relevance of questions, responding to objections, and working with advisors; and documenting decisions about responsibility and sanctions in comprehensive, well written, and well-analyzed reports.
• Follow procedures for maintaining records and managing case files including documenting interviews, recording actions taken and decisions made, and properly utilizing the office’s case management system.
• Serve as an expert to colleagues on campus regarding issues of prohibited discrimination, harassment and retaliation; serve in a leadership role within the office on policy and procedure issues.
• Stays informed of relevant trends and developments.
• Participate in the evaluation and ongoing development of policies and procedures.
• Deliver training to colleagues around campus.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Qualifications for the Investigator level:
• Bachelor's degree.
• Three years of professional experience conducting investigations into complaints or concerns related to the conduct of employees or students, or equivalent experience.
Minimum Qualifications for the Senior Investigator level:
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five years of professional experience conducting investigations into complaints or concerns related to the conduct of employees or students, or equivalent experience conducting other types of investigations.
• Experience overseeing all aspects of complex investigations.
Professional Competencies
• Solid understanding applicable policies and procedures, as well as Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA other applicable civil rights laws and legal standards, issues of academic freedom; apply that understanding appropriately to specific factual situations.
• Work in an effective, culturally competent manner with administrators, faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds and from multiple levels within the institution. Maintain professional working relationships with colleagues throughout the institution.
• Maintain the confidentiality of the issues handled by the office.
• Strong skills in conducting interviews and analyzing and organizing evidence.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey relevant information in clearly written reports and in communications.
• Work effectively with attorneys and advisors.
• Approach sensitive and/or stressful situations in a professional and confidential manner
• Ability to maintain neutrality in the face of resistance, indifference, or hostility.
• Appropriately manage a significant caseload, including meeting established timeless and maintaining accurate and detailed records.
• Work successfully both independently and collaboratively.
• Support diversity and inclusion in every aspect and responsibility associated with the job.
• Commitment to the principles of due process, fairness, and respect.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to effectively use an electronic case management system.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
• J.D. or other advanced degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience with collective bargaining units.
• Experience working in or with institutions of higher education, including experience working with students.
• Experience developing and presenting training sessions, preferably on prohibited discrimination/equal opportunity issues.
• Proficiency in additional language(s).
Additional Preferred Qualification for the Senior Investigator level:
• Experience conducting investigations of cases involving discrimination, harassment, or sexual assault.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
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 https://hr.uoregon.edu/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, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law 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 Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
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.
