• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000

Position Summary

The Director reports to the Vice Provost for office of Institutional Equity (“’OIE”), and will be responsible for overseeing and conducting investigations of alleged misconduct between students in violation of the University's Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment that involve incidents of alleged discrimination and harassment based on a protected class, where a student is accused of this behavior. This position will work on cases involving students across the University’s 17 schools. The Director will supervise and train a team of investigators and work closely and collaboratively with the University’s Office of General Counsel, Deans of the schools, and University stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• The Director will assign cases to investigators, track complaints moving through the investigative process, and ensure that all investigative information is maintained within a complex filing system.                                                                                     
• Manage investigations under the University's applicable policies and lead weekly updates to the University’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and Vice Provost.                                                                                      
• Act as a liaison between the Vice Provost and a variety of University and outside contacts to ensure compliance with University policy and performs other related duties as assigned.                                                                                         
• The Director may also conduct prompt and thorough investigations including: interviewing complainants, respondents and witnesses, obtaining documentary evidence, determining findings, and making disciplinary recommendations, where necessary.    
• Provide daily direct supervision and oversight of Investigators and their caseloads.    
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Director of Case Management to ensure students are properly connected to campus resources and moving through the investigative process thoughtfully, efficiently and in accordance with University policies.           
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team and assist the Vice Provost with shaping the vision and mission of the unit.
• Lead weekly case/investigation status update meetings with investigators, Case Managers, and the Operations team.
• Collaborate daily with the other OIE Directors.                                                         
• Work with the Vice Provost & Director of Training and Education to develop and conduct student training programs, including state-mandated annual student orientation and student leader training sessions, and mandatory reporting training for Columbia staff and faculty.                                                                                         
• Assist the Deans of Students and Deans of the University’s 17 schools in reviewing information and case outcomes provided through the process under the University's procedures for students.                                     
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and Juris doctor degree.
• A minimum of eight years of experience conducting investigations related to protected class discrimination and harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and gender-related violence in a higher education setting. 
• The successful candidate must have strong supervision experience that includes assisting supervisees to conduct and lead investigations as well as organization, planning, analytic and problem resolution abilities and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Work experience within higher education, particularly with students preferred. Knowledge of complexities surrounding sexual assault, sexual harassment, and intimate partner violence cases in a university or college setting is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference given to candidates with experience working in higher education, particularly with students.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and FERPA.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret other applicable laws and regulations as required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough, impartial and efficient investigations.
• Excellent judgment with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and to produce, review and edit analytical reports concerning complex issues. 
• Excellent critical thinking skills, including the demonstrated ability to analyze information, evaluate and problem solve.
• Strong ability to multitask and meet sensitive timelines
• Work collaboratively with diverse constituencies including students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Writing sample required.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.