Compliance Investigator

Department: Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University is committed to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment free from any discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national or ethnic origin (including shared ancestry), sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status or genetic information. Mason adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity/affirmative action statutes and regulations.

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) aims to advance inclusive excellence through an environment that is safe and welcoming for everyone; one that is free of all discrimination and harassment; and one where all perspectives are valued and encouraged. ODEI provides strategic leadership and oversight over Mason’s compliance with federal, state, and University non-discrimination laws; and Mason’s inclusive excellence initiatives which aim to cultivate a campus environment in which every member of our community is valued, supported, and experiences a sense of belonging. Additionally, ODEI monitors the university's continuing commitment to equal opportunity in both employment and educational practices.

ODEI reports to the president of the university and is responsible for the implementation of all equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, including federal requirements associated with the Americans with Disability Act, Titles VII and IX, Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) as well as all state and university-related policies. ODEI affirms and supports Mason’s commitment to access, opportunity, diversity, and inclusion as well as a culture of integrity that values shared responsibility, as critical elements of an inclusive and diverse academic community.

Through various outreach and educational opportunities, ODEI ensures that the campus community understands their rights and responsibilities related to matters of civil rights. ODEI works collaboratively with other campus partners and the surrounding community to ensure that Mason maintains a campus environment that is free of discrimination, misconduct, retaliation, and harassment.

About the Position:

The Compliance Investigator, which reports to the Lead Compliance Investigator, conducts neutral investigations into allegations of University Policy 1202: Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence, and other non-discrimination policies, such as Policy 1201: Non-Discrimination, helping to ensure Mason’s civil rights compliance obligations with Title IX of the Education Acts of 1972 and other federal and state laws and regulations. The primary role of this position is to serve as a neutral investigator of sex-based discrimination, harassment, and/or violence. The Compliance Investigator maintains a caseload of their own investigations and assists the Lead Compliance Investigator by serving in this position. The Compliance Investigator investigates matters involving students, faculty, and staff, and also further assists Mason’s compliance with Title IX and other federal and state laws and regulations by serving as an outreach facilitator, helping to explain supportive measures, resolution options, and resources, as required by law.

The Compliance Investigator acts according to established procedures to: acknowledge the university's receipt of reports as well as receipt of any subsequent formal complaints; provide the initial response to reports and complainants; conduct other preliminary fact-finding, as required, schedule and perform outreach and initial information sessions with parties; document outcomes for referrals and resources to individuals involved in the complaint; identify and inform parties of Title IX interim safety and welfare measures, within and outside the university, as needed for sexual violence and harassment complaints; ensure that data information related to supportive measures for each case is recorded, updated, and maintained within expectations of federal and state regulations; and, ensure interface with the ODEI Case Coordinator to maintain an updated status on the Title IX log and case files, ensuring they are accurate and ready for submission to Title IX Coordinator or other investigators. The Compliance Investigator works with the Title IX Coordinator and other members within ODEI to conduct federally mandatory required trainings for faculty, staff, and students.

Additionally, this position works collaboratively with colleagues in ODEI and across campus to ensure university compliance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. This position serves a critical role in the university's response to reported incidents of prohibited discrimination and conducting formal investigations of sexual harassment and misconduct, and discrimination cases involving students and employees.

Responsibilities:

• Investigations:
  • Conducts neutral investigations of reported incidents of all forms of sex-based discrimination, harassment, and/or violence, including sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, retaliation and complicity, and other civil rights discrimination cases, primarily involving Mason students, faculty and staff;
  • Maintains accurate and thorough records of the investigatory process
  • Coordinates with campus partners involved in the response to reported incidents of all forms of sexual harassment to ensure consistent and appropriate response to all reported incidents
  • Keeps abreast of current state and federal laws and trends regarding Title IX, VAWA, Title VII, and other related legal requirements; and
  • Assists the University Title IX Coordinator with the overall prevention, response, and investigations surrounding Title IX matters.
• Case Outreach and Support:
  • Provides initial outreach and support to Title IX reports;
  • Implements supportive measures with assistance of other ODEI personnel;
  • Provides referrals to other campus partners as appropriate;
  • Meets with Title IX parties for intake/information sessions; maintains case files;
  • Responsible for outreach and assessment, including high risk reports that may require immediate supportive measures and safety planning;
  • Assesses potential policy violations, preparing transfer of report to Title IX Coordinator or Investigator and/or for involvement with partner offices;
  • Analyzes support referrals for completion and efficacy, maintaining detailed statistics relevant to annual reporting and/or reporting to regulatory offices (i.e. OCR)
  • Interfaces effectively with parties identified in report to ensure equitable access to services, programs, activities, and academic programs; and
  • Reviews university and community resources, creating and implementing appropriate strategies to avail parties of supportive measures, resources, and services.
• Campus Training:
  • Assists the Title IX Coordinator with the development of campus-wide education and prevention trainings to provide legally mandated training to faculty, staff, and students, and additional trainings such as those designed to prevent sexual and interpersonal misconduct; and
  • Delivers mandatory training and additional trainings to faculty, staff, and students.
• ODEI Office Support:
  • Assists the University Title IX Coordinator with the overall prevention, response, and investigations surrounding Title IX matters; and
  • Engages with other ODEI staff in investigation and resolution of all forms of discrimination and carries out special projects and other related duties assigned within ODEI's scope.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field;
• Demonstrated professional experience in Title IX, that includes assessment and outreach as well as investigation and coordination of hearing processes;
• Demonstrated professional experience conducting formal complaint investigations, preferably involving issues of alleged sexual harassment;
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to accurately analyze and apply legal and policy standards to specific factual situations;
• Demonstrated skill in effective oral and in written communication, including the ability to convey relevant information in clearly written reports;
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with individuals from underrepresented groups with understanding and sensitivity to the experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds;
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully both independently and collaboratively;
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and/or stressful situations in a professional, confidential, and trauma-informed manner; and
• Ability to handle a significant caseload, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain detailed records.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in crisis services or advocacy;
• Direct experience conducting investigations of cases involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, retaliation or complicity with multiple respondents and/or complainants;
• Experience working with both student and employee populations in higher education;
• Experience with higher education administrative adjudication processes for students and employees;
• Experience developing and presenting training, preferably on prohibited sexual harassment and discrimination issues;
• Significant work experience in higher education or related field; and
• Ability to show ongoing training in Title IX with certifications from recognized training agency, conference, or professional organization.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Compliance Investigator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: July 12, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: July 26, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes