Equity Officer

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

JOB SUMMARY

The Equity Officer supports Saint Louis University’s commitment to fostering an open, diverse, and inclusive environment by investigating complaints of discrimination, harassment, bias, and sexual assault involving faculty, staff, and students. This position ensures compliance with university policies and equal opportunity laws at the federal, state, and local levels. The Equity Officer develops and facilitates institution-wide training on nondiscrimination and harassment laws, serves as a Title IX Deputy Coordinator, and assists with the development, review, and distribution of the university’s Affirmative Action Plan.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

- Plays a lead role in coordinating and executing timely and thorough investigations of complaints of sexual assault, discrimination, harassment, bias filed by or against faculty, staff, and students; prepares written investigative reports for review by the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (OSRCS), Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED), Office of General Counsel (OGC) or other oversight entities; ensures complaints are logged, processed, and investigated in accordance with University policy and procedures
- Advises faculty, staff and students of their rights under federal law and University policy regarding nondiscrimination and harassment (e.g., Title II, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, ADEA, etc.)
- Assists in the development and implementation of ongoing campus-wide climate surveys to assess the university community’s overall understanding of harassment and gender-based violence; identifies trends and barriers that are counterproductive to a respectful, violence-free environment; customizes training programs to eliminate the conduct and its effects on the well-being of the campus community
- Develops and facilitates institution-wide training and education programs on topics and issues that fall under the purview of the OIED (this is specifically applicable to Title IX, Title VII, and other applicable employment laws and regulations)
- Serves in the capacity as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator
- Reviews University policies and procedures to ensure nondiscrimination and compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
- Works with Student Development, Human Resources, and other internal stakeholders to ensure policies and practices protect the right of students, employees, and applicants
- Assists in the development, review and implementation of the Affirmative Action plan, including assisting with audit document response
- Performs other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret Title II, Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX as well as federal, local and state equal opportunity and non-discrimination laws and regulations is required; working knowledge of the Affirmative Action compliance is preferred
- Effective project management, organizational and analytical skills
- Strong writing, presentation, and facilitation skills
- Must have a sense of urgency in approaching responsibilities
- Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills and ability to foster positive interactions with diverse constituencies
- Ability to conduct highly sensitive investigations and interviews using proactive listening skills and thorough questioning techniques is essential
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent and mature judgment, maintain objectivity, and safeguard confidential and sensitive information
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to understand the needs of the university and to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team
- Ability to operate personal computer and various software programs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s degree
- Three or more years of experience in conducting confidential, sensitive investigations of discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual assault complaints in employment and/or academic settings

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Juris Doctorate
- Higher education experience

Function

General Counsel/Compliance

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.