Director, Equal Opportunity and Access and Title IX Coordinator

The Director of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA) and Title IX Coordinator serves as a senior administrative official responsible for University-wide programs, policies, and procedures designed to ensure equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination and equal access, and oversight of affirmative action reporting. The Director also serves as an advisor to the President, conducts special projects and studies, and represents the President's positions and directives to various constituents related to issues of discrimination, harassment, diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and access.


Working under the supervision of the President of Illinois State University, the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA) oversees the University's program to prevent, detect, and respond appropriately to complaints of harassment and discrimination in violation of University policy and applicable state and federal law including the Civil Rights Act, ADA, Title IX, and Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act.


Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leads the OEOA, supervises staff of investigators and other office personnel and oversees case management for the office;
- Serves as the University Title IX Coordinator and oversees all aspects of University, agency, state, and federal law including but not limited to Title IX and Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act;
- Oversees a University-wide program to prevent, detect, and appropriately respond to violations of University policy and applicable law related to anti-harassment and non-discrimination;
- Oversees enforcement and reporting related to anti-harassment and non-discrimination statutes;
- Oversees OEOA investigations of alleged discrimination and harassment; advises individuals on the complaint process, available resources, and interim measures, if appropriate; plans the investigation processes, conducts interviews, identifies and collects relevant documentation, analyzes evidence, drafts investigation reports, issues findings and determinations, recommends remedial action and maintains accurate and complete investigative files;
- Oversees process for determining employee ADA accommodations and consults upon request regarding student ADA accommodations;
- Develops periodic updates to University ADA policies and procedures;
- Serves as an integral member of the President's staff advising other officers on all issues related to fostering an inclusive campus environment;
- Serves as an advisor to the President, conducts special projects and studies, and represents the President's positions and directives to various constituents related to issues of discrimination, harassment, diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and access;
- Develops and facilitates training programs to the University community related to the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, the Rehabilitation Act, Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, and any other applicable nondiscrimination statutes and regulations;
- Manages all aspects of federal Affirmative Action requirements including the development and implementation of the University's annual Affirmative Action Plan;
- Develops and updates metrics, audit protocols, and controls to measure compliance with Affirmative Action Plan requirements;
- Advises and collaborates with Human Resources on affirmative action recruiting sources and outreach strategies for vacancies, particularly for underutilized positions/groups. Assists with the development and implementation of effective training programs for search committees and others involved in recruitment activities;
- Develops communication plan to disseminate information to University employees about the EEO/AA program;
- Identifies and develops relationships with key organizations and associations with a focus on creating a more diverse employee population;
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's, Doctorate, or Juris Doctorate degree;
2. Five (5) or more years of experience interpreting and applying internal policies and state and federal nondiscrimination law including but not limited to, the Civil Rights Act and Title IX;
3. Five (5) or more years of experience investigating formal and informal complaints of sexual harassment, harassment, retaliation and discrimination;
4. Three (3) or more years of experience complying with the reporting requirements of external agencies in areas such as affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment/violence, and the Clery Act;
5. Knowledge of the statistical analysis used in workforce analytics and reporting;
6. Three (3) or more years of progressive supervisory experience including excellent leadership, planning, organizational and managerial skills, and proven ability to perform as a team player;
7. Demonstrated awareness of the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion, and support for a diverse and welcoming environment;
8. Demonstrated ability to assess campus-wide training needs, and to develop and implement meaningful and innovative educational programming for faculty, staff, and students relating to diversity, inclusion, and civil rights compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Law Degree from an accredited law school or advanced degree in a relevant field;
2. Prior experience leading an AA/EEO office;
3. Prior experience working in higher education;
4. Experience reviewing and drafting policy and procedure documents relating to state and federal nondiscrimination laws;
5. Work experience related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or similar state and federal standards (e.g., determining reasonable accommodations, facilities accessibility, Standards of Accessible Design).

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Move about in various locations such as Springfield, IL and the Illinois State University campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Nomination and Application Process
The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. For additional information, please contact:

Porsha Williams, Vice President
Erin Raines, Senior Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
770-804-1996 ext.: 117
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || eraines@parkersearch.com

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.