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University of California, Santa Cruz

Civil Rights Investigator and Complaint Resolution Officer

University of California, Santa Cruz, California, Missouri, United States, 65018

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Civil Rights Investigator and Complaint Resolution Officer Join to apply for the

Civil Rights Investigator and Complaint Resolution Officer

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University of California, Santa Cruz .

JOB POSTING is fully remote, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.

How To Apply

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is:

07/24/2025 .

About UCSC

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

Department Overview

The Equity & Equal Protection Office administers UC Santa Cruz's policies and procedures regarding sexual harassment, sexual violence, and discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics. Our work includes stewarding complaint processes for students, staff, and faculty who have experienced discrimination or harassment and ensuring that members of our community can engage in protected activity free from retaliation. We ensure the University’s compliance with state and federal laws relating to harassment and discrimination, and implement laws and policies to prevent any member of our community from being denied participation in a university program based on a protected characteristic or engaging in protected activity. For more information, please visit: https://equity.ucsc.edu.

Job Summary

The Civil Rights Investigator and Complaint Resolution Officer (CRI/CRO) reports directly to the Title IX Director/EEO Director. Under general direction, the CRI/CRO focuses on responding to complaints of harassment and discrimination based on a protected identity category, including complaints based on race, religion, disability status, status as a Whistleblower, and Title IX complaints of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and sex discrimination.

The CRI/CRO exercises independent judgment during intake, initial assessment, alternative resolution, and formal investigation of complaints, and in generating strategies and/or recommendations for their resolution. The CRI/CRO provides safety and supportive measures, educational conversations, documented discussions, conflict resolution, and problem-solving in response to complaints and inquiries from the campus community and affiliates, including employees, students, parents, and the public.

The CRI/CRO is a campus subject matter expert on investigation best practices, conducts relevant research, and makes recommendations to Equity & Equal Protection leaders regarding continuous quality improvement in unit investigation operations. The CRI/CRO will also conduct trainings and provide leadership and mentorship on the investigations team.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary:

$125,000 - $140,000/annually . Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience. Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility:

Full benefits

Schedule Information

Full-time, Fixed

Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week

Days of the Week: Mon-Fri

Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification:

Career appointment

Job End Date:

None

Work Location:

UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation:

Non-Represented

Job Code Classification:

ETHICS AND CMPLNC PROFL 4 (006061), Grade 25

Travel:

Never or Rarely

Job Duties

40% - Complaint Resolution and Investigation

Facilitates timely alternative resolutions and conducts timely formal investigations of complaints of sexual harassment, sexual violence, prohibited harassment, and prohibited discrimination. Exercises independent judgment in the assessment and resolution of investigations, keeping the Title IX Director, EEO Director, and/or Deputy Title IX Director informed of progress and implications.

Provides impartial consultation, problem-solving, and options for problem resolution regarding complaints filed with the EEP office. When appropriate, facilitates informal resolutions of complaints arising under Federal, UC, and UCSC policies.

Communicates effectively, maintains neutrality, meets deadlines, and works effectively with diverse constituencies to create and support a safe and inclusive university community.

Advises complainants and respondents of possible outcomes of responsive processes, and informs them of their rights, responsibilities, and applicable procedures as authorized by university policy.

Conducts investigations of suspected and reported violations of laws and policies in accordance with best practices for civil rights investigations, UC policies, ethics, due process, and trauma-informed approaches.

Ensures thorough, timely, and impartial formal investigations of complaints of harassment and discrimination, including interviews and review of relevant documents, applying facts to reach conclusions on policy violations.

20% - Assessment and Preliminary Inquiry

Performs primary and secondary roles in the intake process for reports of sexual harassment, sexual violence, discrimination, and harassment that may violate policies.

Assesses new complaints and formulates a response based on intake results and available documentation.

Participates in initial assessments to gather information, take notes, provide safety and supportive measures, or make assessments.

10% - Writing and Record Keeping

Writes reports clearly, articulating findings of fact and conclusions, interpreting UC/UCSC policies and applying them to cases.

Adheres to writing timelines and ensures supervisor review before deadlines.

Maintains confidentiality of reports and related materials per policy and law.

Maintains detailed records of investigations and communications in case management systems.

10% - Collaboration

Collaborates with campus offices as needed regarding complaint processing and redress.

Develops and maintains professional relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administration.

Demonstrates openness to feedback to improve work.

10% - Research and Analysis

Researches state and federal laws regarding non-discrimination and Title IX and their applicability to complaints.

Keeps abreast of legislation and investigation practices.

Reviews policies and works with leadership to update procedures.

Collaborates on data reporting and identifies patterns to address systemic issues.

5% - Outreach and Training

Delivers prevention, education, and training programs on compliance.

Collaborates on developing educational materials and targets for training.

Stays informed of trends and policy changes relevant to the office's scope.

5% - Accountability and Ethical Behavior

Recognizes responsibilities and escalates issues requiring oversight.

Uses good judgment in problem-solving, including new areas.

Ensures client engagement and continuity of support.

Upholds confidentiality and protects sensitive information.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Experience investigating sexual harassment or sensitive allegations confidentially.

Advanced knowledge of ethics and compliance, control systems, and investigation standards.

Advanced knowledge of federal and state laws related to discrimination and harassment (Title VI/VII, Title IX, VAWA, CA AB1825).

Knowledge of responding to OCR, CA DEH, and EEOC requests.

Strong report-writing skills and ability to synthesize information.

Project and time management skills; critical thinking; verbal communication and rapport-building.

Professional judgment and ability to develop independent recommendations for action.

Ability to interpret compliance issues and communicate results to diverse audiences.

Commitment to equity and inclusive excellence; sensitivity to diverse constituents; ability to handle confidential matters.

Ability to extract, verify, and develop recommendations on ethics and compliance issues.

Understanding of trauma relevance and trauma-informed investigation techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or professional law degree.

Professional certifications related to job responsibilities.

Experience with federal and state agencies.

Experience using a case management system.

Bilingual language skills.

Leadership experience in overseeing sensitive investigations within a large organization.

Knowledge of the Clery Act and Clery reporting; Whistleblower laws.

Advanced knowledge of discrimination and sexual harassment complexities in postsecondary or employment settings.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Pre-employment criminal history background check.

Employment misconduct disclosure process compliance.

Ability to work long periods at a computer; remote work eligible per policy.

Option to work hybrid with telecommuting agreement.

May be required to report to campus in-person with notice; travel expenses not covered.

Ability to travel to multiple work locations; maintain professional appearance.

Complete required training including UC compliance training.

Vaccination policy compliance for UC employees.

CANRA Mandated Reporter; sign statement acknowledging reporting requirements.

Maintain discretion and data protection in handling sensitive information.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, final candidates must disclose any final administrative or judicial misconduct decisions or ongoing proceedings within the last seven years, as described in the policy.

Safety Statement

All UCSC employees must follow safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, promote safety at work, and report accidents and injuries.

Notice of Availability

In compliance with the Clery Act, the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://compliance.ucsc.edu/campus-safety-compliance/annual-reports/.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories. It is UC’s policy to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts as a Federal and State contractor.

Note

- Seniority level, employment type, job function, and industry sections below are provided for metadata display and not part of the core job description.

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