Investigator for Title IX

Reporting to the Executive Director of Equal Rights and Title IX, the Investigator enforces Liberty University’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (the Policy) by responding to, and resolving, reports and complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, stalking, complicity, intimidation, and retaliation (Prohibited Conduct). Investigators serve in the Office of Equal Rights and Title IX on a dynamic team committed to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the campus community.

Investigators play a critical role in ensuring Liberty University’s compliance with all Virginia and federal laws related to anti-harassment and nondiscrimination for all protected classes. This includes, but is not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”); Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VI” and “Title VII”); the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”); Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act (the “ADEA”); the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”), as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”); and Va. Code §§ 23.1-805 and 900.

Investigators must have a working knowledge of the law, university policies, investigative techniques, and conflict resolution in order to analyze and address allegations of Prohibited Conduct. Investigators often work closely with students and other members of the campus community and have a significant impact on the individuals involved. It is critical that Investigators demonstrate professionalism, thoughtfulness, and sound judgment in their approach to each matter. Investigator are required to maintain qualifications through ongoing training and professional development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct complex analysis and produce high quality written work; the investigator will work independently, partnering with appropriate institutional officials throughout the investigative process; meet established timelines; treat all individuals engaged in the complaint process with dignity and respect. Investigations may include:
• Creating investigative plan, coordinating and conducting party and witness interviews, report writing, adjudication, and appeals
• Providing parties with information about the investigatory process and applicable rights and policies
• Gathering and securing relevant evidence and documentation
• Keeping detailed, consistent, and accurate records
• Maintaining timely communication with all parties and community stakeholders
• Making credibility assessments
• Drafting and issuing investigative reports that summarize the process, all information gathered, relevant policy statements, and analysis for whether a policy violation occurred
• Ensuring a prompt, fair, and neutral process for all parties that follows federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures
• Protecting the integrity and privacy of the investigation at all stages
• Conducts training for employees and students on University policies on sexual misconduct, gender-based misconduct, harassment, and related incidents as well as their rights and obligations associated with the policies
• Attend departmental and other official Liberty University meetings as required
• Act as liaison to faculty, staff and administration in regard to student related problems related to discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct
• Provide assistance to the student population through student support services
• Remain aware of existing and emerging technologies, processes, products, services and leading industry performance benchmarks relating to campus investigations
• Work effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering the University’s mission
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Establishes Title IX compliance Office of Equal Rights and Title IX team participating in collaborative and respectful discussion to identify strategic solutions to strengthen the institution and minimize risk.
• Hires, supervises, and trains the Title IX staff, and others as necessary, to ensure that expert-level knowledge is maintained on the team.
• Stays abreast of pending and final changes to Title IX and other laws or regulations affecting Title IX provisions.
• Provides regular reports and scheduled updates to the Executive Director of Equal Rights and Title IX.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Minimum Qualifications – Tier I:

• A Bachelor’s degree and three or more years of investigatory, or relevant professional experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience to provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to articulate and defend the unique Christian educational mission and vision of Liberty University and its subsidiaries to a wide variety of individuals and groups.
• Individual must not be in default on any federal student or parent loan.
• Individual must not be convicted of, or pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crimeinvolving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of federal, state, or local government funds, -or- be administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving federal, state, or local government funds (CFR 668.14(b)(18)(i))

Preferred Qualifications Tier I:

• A Juris Doctorate or Master’s degree with a concentration in higher education, criminal
• justice, student development, counseling, pastoral studies, biblical studies or a related field.
• At least three years of investigatory experience
• Fluent in Spanish or American Sign Language

Minimum Qualifications – Tier II:

• A Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of experience working in a Higher Education Title IX or Civil Rights investigator role with extensive report writing responsibilities.
• The ability to successfully maintain a caseload/workload higher than the standard of 3-4 sexual misconduct cases moving through the formal investigation process.
• Participation as an investigator in a minimum of 5 cases that moved through the entirety of the complaint resolution process successfully.
• Participation as a facilitator in a minimum of 5 cases that participated in an Informal Resolution process successfully.
• Participation as an adjudicator in a minimum of 5 cases that resulted in a written determination.
• A demonstrated and easily recalled mastery and knowledge of Office of Equal Rights and Title IX policies and processes.
• Experience with developing content and successfully presenting information for at least 3 department professional development or extra-departmental trainings.
• The ability to develop and lead engaging, and effective trainings related to the department’s work, mission, and policies.
• Has exceeded the minimum training hours required by the Office of Equal Rights and Title IX for 2 consecutive years in training relevant to the Investigator role (if internal candidate), or have participated in a minimum of 60 hours of relevant training over the past 2 years (if external).
• At least 2 consecutive years of satisfactory job performance as an investigator in the Office of Equal Rights and Title IX (if internal candidate).
• Ability to articulate and defend the unique Christian educational mission and vision of Liberty University and its subsidiaries to a wide variety of individuals and groups.
• Individual must not be in default on any federal student or parent loan.
• Individual must not be convicted of, or pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime    involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of federal, state, or local government funds, -or- be administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving federal, state, or local government funds (CFR 668.14(b)(18)(i))

Preferred Qualifications Tier II:

• A Juris Doctorate or Master’s degree with a concentration in higher education, criminal
• justice, student development, counseling, pastoral studies, biblical studies or a related field.
• At least three years of investigatory experience
• Fluent in Spanish or American Sign Language

Minimum Qualifications – Tier III:

• A Bachelor’s degree at least 5 years of full-time experience working in a Higher Education Title IX or Civil Rights Investigator position with significant report writing responsibilities.
• At least 2 consecutive years of satisfactory job performance as a Level II investigator in the Office of Equal Rights and Title IX.
• A demonstrated mastery of Office of Equal Rights and Title IX policies and process
• A demonstrated mastery of developing and leading engaging and effective trainings related to the department’s work, mission, and policies.
• A demonstrated mastery of case and workload management
• Participation as an investigator in a minimum of 10 cases that moved through the entirety of the complaint resolution process successfully.
• Participation as an adjudicator in a minimum of 10 cases that were decided by written decision.
• Participation as a facilitator in a minimum of 10 cases that were resolved using Informal Resolution
• Ability to articulate and defend the unique Christian educational mission and vision of Liberty University and its subsidiaries to a wide variety of individuals and groups.
• Individual must not be in default on any federal student or parent loan.
• Individual must not be convicted of, or pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime    involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of federal, state, or local government funds, -or- be administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving federal, state, or local government funds (CFR 668.14(b)(18)(i))

Preferred Qualifications Tier III:

• A Juris Doctorate or Master’s degree with a concentration in higher education, criminal
• justice, student development, counseling, pastoral studies, biblical studies or a related field.
• At least three years of investigatory experience
• Fluent in Spanish or American Sign Language

To obtain LU-approved driver certification, individuals must be 21 years of age or older, possess a valid driver’s license with a minimum of five (5) years of documented driving history, and maintain a clean driving record.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled office setting.  It is well lighted and the noise level is quiet.  Some of the essential functions of this position will be performed away from the campus office and in people’s homes, offices, workplaces or other public places.     

Time Type

Full time

Location

Onsite

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.