The Placement Exchange Job Board

MCLA seeks to a Director of Title IX & Equal Opportunity to join the newly appointed Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness. The Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness works to ensure MCLA's efforts to achieve inclusive excellence and holistic wellness by centralizing the reporting systems and ensuring consistency in response to incidents of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, stalking, discrimination, harassment, and bias for all community members including students and employees. The Director of Title IX & Equal Opportunity will work in collaboration with the Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness 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 of Title IX & Equal Opportunity will also be responsible for developing and delivering training on relevant topics within the community and assisting with other aspects of Title IX compliance.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• 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. Assist individuals in navigating campus and department resources, responds to questions as appropriate, and communicate directly with the Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness and Investigators to coordinate investigation plans and to ensure the timely and confidential completion of investigations and informal resolution of complaints.
• Asist in improving the effectiveness of complaint processing and response protocols to ensure individual needs are being met while systemic issues are identified and addressed.
• 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
• In coordination with the Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness and the Director of Marketing and Communications 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.
• In collaboration with the Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness 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.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, position. The salary range for this position is $75,000-$85,000, commensurate with experience.

Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until filled. 

It is the policy of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster, is required of all individuals hired by MCLA, to be verified after an offer of employment has been made, and as part of the background check process. Prospective employees may submit a request for exemption based on a religious and/or medical basis, to Human Resources.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment at MCLA. MCLA is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") to not discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be directed to each respective MCLA's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Patrick Connelly
Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity and Student Wellness
Phone: (413) 662-5127
Email: patrick.connelly@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247

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 
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov

About MCLA

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ continued commitment to an excellent, affordable education is reflected in the 2022-2023 U.S. News and World Report rankings: The College is #7 on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges for the second year in a row, ranks #33 as a Top Performer on Social Mobility among national liberal arts colleges, and first among all Massachusetts liberal arts schools. MCLA also continues to appear on the list of Top National Liberal Arts Colleges. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News’ list of Top Public Colleges for 10 of the past 12 years. The College has also been acknowledged in its list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility since the organization adopted this ranking in 2019. This list measures how well institutions graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, typically awarded to students whose families make less than $50,000, though most Pell Grant money goes to families with income below $20,000. Slightly more than 42 percent of MCLA undergraduate students receive Pell Grants, and 51.4 percent are the first in their families to go to college. Overall, 93.1 percent of students receive some kind of financial aid. ... “As we once again appear in the Top Public College rankings, I feel immense gratitude toward my colleagues who support our Trailblazers in achieving their academic goals,” said MCLA President James F. Birge, Ph.D. “From faculty and staff strengthening and growing programs, to the exceptional student body striving for academic excellence and fulfilling lives, I am grateful to work at an institution with a mission of advancing equity, social mobility, and serving under-resourced students.” “I am incredibly impressed by MCLA’s continued success – an institution that is consistently recognized as a Top Public College,” said Brenda Burdick, Chair of the MCLA Board of Trustees. “The work that has been done to remain in the top 10 standings is extraordinary. With our excellent faculty and staff dedicated to growing and strengthening the College’s programs, I am proud to see affordable and accessible college education at the forefront of the College’s mission.” U.S. News ranks colleges based on indicators that reflect a school’s student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution achieves its mission of educating students. For more information, go to usnews.com/colleges. About MCLA: At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. Nearly 93% of our graduates land competitive jobs or are accepted by some of the best grad schools in the country. We engage in the most nationally relevant conversations by hosting some of the most celebrated thinkers and speakers on our campus in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, an area known for its mountain ranges, hiking trails, and panoramic views. Our home town of North Adams is brimming with young, creative energy and the regional economy is booming as a result. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate you as an individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make your impression on the world.

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