Job Description

Working/Functional Title

Advising Services Program Manager

Position Summary

Provides leadership and day to day oversight of the Advising Services program within the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX to promote and ensure an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment at the University. Supports compliance with various federal, state, and local laws and regulations as well as University policy aimed at preventing, investigating, and/or responding to discrimination and harassment.

Provides expertise and work direction for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Advising Services team which serves as a procedural advisor to parties (claimants and respondents) in the grievance process/procedures outlined in discrimination and harassment policies enforced by MSU’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR). This includes MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy (RVSM Policy) and A nti-Discrimination Policy (ADP). The OCR Program Manager provides oversight of OCR Advisors and Senior Advisors who facilitates the party’s understanding of the process and exercise of their rights as well as their awareness of available resources and support. The OCR Advising Services Program Manager, as needed, accompanies the party to meetings and interviews related to the grievance process/procedures, advises the party on that process, and conducts cross-examination for the party at the hearing, if one is held and there is advisor-conducted cross-examination.

The OCR Advising Services Program Manager may act as an Advisor in select cases as needed and appropriate (i.e., when the other party has engaged their own external/attorney advisor) and is responsible for helping the party to prepare for the meetings and interviews and is expected to advise ethically and with integrity (i.e., not permitting a party to lie or to present false evidence). The OCR Advising Services Program Manager is not permitted to provide legal advice, personal advocacy, or support services, to accompany a party to proceedings or appointments outside of the OCR grievance process/procedures, or to operate independently of the party they are advising.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the OCR Advising Services program and team and serves as a member of the OCR Operational Leadership Team
• Supervises the advisors and assigns their work
• Monitors workload and determines whether any external advising support is needed due to volume and/or potential conflict
• Serves as an advisor in select cases as needed and appropriate (i.e., when the other party has engaged their own external/attorney advisor)
• Develops and implements protocols and practices to be used during case management.
• Provides training to other advisors, OCR staff, and campus community.
• Provides caring and trauma-informed support and assistance to the assigned party throughout the duration of the OCR grievance process/procedures, which includes:
• Building rapport with individuals during times of stress;
• Discussing sensitive topics;
• Maintaining private and confidential records and information; and
• Provide referrals to relevant university and community resources.
• Upon assignment of a case, promptly establishes contact with the assigned party and provides an explanation of the OCR Advising Services Program Manager and the grievance process/procedures.
• Speaks with the assigned party and reviews relevant information as available to understand the allegations and empowers the party with the information needed by the party to make decisions about whether and how to participate in the process.
• Explains the process to the party throughout the investigation, resolution, and appeal process.
• Assists the party in identifying evidence and witnesses to the investigator.
• Assists the party in preparing for meetings and interviews that are part of the OCR grievance process/procedures and accompanies the party to the meetings and hearing (if any).
• If there is a hearing, assists the party in preparing and in consultation with the party, prepares and conducts cross-examination on the party’s behalf at the hearing (if cross-examination is to be conducted by an advisor).
• Reviews the case materials and provides feedback on the party’s draft submissions, taking care not to supplant the party’s judgment with theirs or otherwise disempower the party.
• Tracks deadlines with the party to ensure the party’s timely submissions.
• Facilitates the party’s awareness of and access to available resources throughout the process.
• Follows university policies and protocols to provide referrals for mental, emotional, and physical safety concerns with individuals across various identities and backgrounds and takes appropriate measures to safeguard the safety of self and others.
• Forms and maintains awareness of resources and support services across the University, including law enforcement, advocacy, counseling, etc.
• Helps the party to identify any language access or disability accommodations needed to understand and if they choose, to participate, in the process.
• Adheres to university privacy safeguards and restrictions against unauthorized disclosures and ensures the party is aware of the prohibition against unauthorized disclosures.
• Works collaboratively with OCR and campus partners to follow, review, and improve protocols and university practices related to this position.
• Forms and maintains functional and collegial working relationships with support services across the University and greater community, including MSUPD, CAPS, REHS, ELPD, Private Therapist, etc.
• Serves on task forces or committees as assigned and represents the department at campus events and activities.
• Monitors and stays current of changes in MSU policies and resolution processes as well as legal developments and best practices relevant to civil rights procedural advisors.
• Effectively interacts and communicates with faculty, staff, and internal and external partners about OCR Advising Services.
• Other projects as assigned.
• Assists in developing and implementing policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Manages day-to-day operations of the program.
• Provides oversight and management of workload within the unit.
• Maintains records, prepares, and analyses reports and/or documentation for regulatory compliance and to inform policy and practice improvements.
• Designs and delivers training sessions and workshops.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of programs and services to make improvements as needed.
• Coordinates with external agencies and resources for additional support.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which would normally be acquired by the completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related field and five to eight years of progressively more responsible and relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of skills and experience. Must have experience interpreting, applying, and adhering to policy and legal requirements surrounding Title IX and anti-discrimination.

Desired Qualifications

A Master's degree

Five to eight years of progressively more responsible and relevant work experience in assisting persons engaged in the adjudication of disputes in a university setting or equivalently complex organization with experience as a higher education civil rights investigator and/or civil rights procedural advisor providing advising services to both parties; familiarity with administrative procedures and hearing processes; experience or training in court-like settings interacting with a trier of fact or decision maker.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume

Cover letter

Contact information for three (3) professional references

Special Instructions

Please provide all required application materials at time of application.

This position can be hybrid with the expectation for being in-person weekly.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 11/12/2024 at 11:55 pm

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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