Associate Vice President, Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator
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Description
Associate Vice President, Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator
Classification: Administrative
Division: Legal Affairs
Department: Office of Civil Rights (renamed from Office of Institutional Equities)
Reports To: Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary to the University
FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt
Job Type: Regular Full-Time / 12 Months
Location: Lincoln University, PA
Campus: Main Campus
Division: Legal Affairs
Department: Office of Civil Rights (renamed from Office of Institutional Equities)
Reports To: Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary to the University
FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt
Job Type: Regular Full-Time / 12 Months
Location: Lincoln University, PA
Campus: Main Campus
POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Vice President, Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator provides administrative and operational leadership for Lincoln University’s Office of Civil Rights within the Office of the General Counsel. Reporting directly to the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the University, the Associate Vice President is responsible for the daily leadership, management, coordination, and effective administration of the University’s civil rights compliance programs.
The Associate Vice President oversees an integrated compliance framework encompassing Title IX, Title VI, coordination of Title VII compliance, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Accessibility Services, digital accessibility, discrimination and harassment prevention, investigations, complaint resolution, regulatory compliance, and institutional policy administration.
The position serves as the University’s designated Title IX Coordinator and Title VI Coordinator and provides operational oversight of personnel and programs responsible for accessibility services and other assigned civil rights compliance functions.
Working under the executive oversight and strategic direction of the Vice President and General Counsel, the Associate Vice President implements institutional compliance priorities, establishes operational procedures, supervises personnel, monitors regulatory obligations, coordinates institutional responses to civil rights concerns, and identifies and escalates significant compliance risks.
The Associate Vice President works collaboratively with University leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external regulatory agencies to promote compliance with applicable federal and state civil rights laws and ensure fair, consistent, timely, and effective administration of the University’s civil rights responsibilities.
The position requires substantial knowledge of higher education civil rights law, demonstrated administrative leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex and sensitive institutional matters while maintaining appropriate impartiality, confidentiality, and procedural fairness.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Office Leadership, Administration, and Operations
- Direct and manage the daily operations of the Office of Civil Rights, ensuring effective administration of assigned institutional civil rights compliance functions.
- Implement strategic priorities, operational objectives, and compliance initiatives established in coordination with the Vice President and General Counsel.
- Supervise, evaluate, mentor, and support professional and administrative personnel assigned to the Office of Civil Rights, including Accessibility Services and other designated functions.
- Establish and maintain operational procedures, workflow standards, performance measures, and accountability mechanisms to promote efficiency, consistency, and timely service delivery.
- Oversee office staffing, resource utilization, budget administration, and operational planning in accordance with University policies and established authority.
- Develop annual operational goals and assess office performance against institutional compliance priorities.
- Provide regular reports and recommendations to the Vice President and General Counsel regarding office operations, compliance trends, resource needs, significant matters, and opportunities for improvement.
- Coordinate with University divisions and departments to facilitate the effective implementation of civil rights policies, procedures, and institutional obligations.
- Identify operational deficiencies and recommend corrective measures, process improvements, and resource adjustments.
- Exercise appropriate administrative authority to coordinate compliance activities across University departments while maintaining established reporting relationships and institutional governance protocols.
2. Title IX Coordination and Administration
- Serve as the University's designated Title IX Coordinator and coordinate institutional compliance with applicable Title IX laws, regulations, and guidance.
- Oversee the receipt, assessment, documentation, and appropriate response to reports and complaints of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, retaliation, and related conduct within Title IX's applicable scope.
- Coordinate the provision, implementation, and monitoring of supportive measures and other appropriate institutional responses.
- Oversee Title IX grievance procedures, investigations, informal resolution processes, hearings, appeals, and related activities as applicable under governing law and University policy.
- Ensure that Title IX processes are administered consistently, impartially, promptly, and in accordance with applicable procedural requirements.
- Identify and address actual or potential conflicts of interest and bias among individuals participating in Title IX processes.
- Coordinate with Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Human Resources, Campus Police, and other University departments regarding Title IX obligations and institutional responses.
- Monitor Title IX complaints and institutional data to identify patterns, systemic concerns, and potential compliance risks.
- Coordinate Title IX training, prevention, awareness, and educational initiatives.
- Maintain and periodically review Title IX policies, procedures, notices, and required institutional communications.
- Coordinate institutional responses to Title IX-related inquiries, investigations, audits, and compliance reviews.
- Provide timely updates to the Vice President and General Counsel regarding significant Title IX matters, regulatory developments, and institutional risks.
3. Title VI and Institutional Civil Rights Compliance
- Serve as the University's designated Title VI Coordinator and coordinate compliance with applicable federal civil rights requirements prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
- Oversee the receipt, assessment, investigation, and resolution of Title VI complaints, including matters involving legally recognized discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.
- Coordinate institutional compliance assessments involving admissions, financial aid, scholarships, academic programs, athletics, student services, and other University programs and activities.
- Collaborate with appropriate University departments to identify and address potential discriminatory practices, barriers to participation, and systemic compliance concerns.
- Monitor institutional complaint data and identify trends requiring additional assessment, training, policy revisions, or corrective action.
- Coordinate the development and implementation of appropriate remedial measures and corrective action plans.
- Maintain required nondiscrimination notices, complaint procedures, and institutional communications.
- Coordinate responses to Title VI inquiries, investigations, and compliance reviews conducted by external regulatory agencies.
- Report significant Title VI compliance concerns and institutional risks to the Vice President and General Counsel.
4. ADA, Section 504, and Accessibility Services
- Provide senior operational oversight of the University's Accessibility Services function and related disability compliance programs.
- Supervise designated accessibility personnel and support the effective administration of student, employee, and visitor accessibility responsibilities.
- Coordinate institutional compliance efforts under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable disability laws.
- Oversee the administration and consistent application of reasonable accommodation policies and procedures within the Office's assigned responsibilities.
- Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Human Resources, Facilities, Information Technology, and other departments regarding disability access and accommodation implementation.
- Ensure that appropriate procedures exist for reviewing accommodation requests, resolving accessibility concerns, and administering applicable reconsideration, grievance, and appeal processes.
- Monitor the timeliness, consistency, and documentation of accommodation determinations and implementation.
- Oversee the assessment and resolution of complaints alleging disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, retaliation, or other accessibility concerns.
- Coordinate institutional efforts to identify and address barriers affecting access to academic programs, employment, housing, facilities, transportation, events, and University services.
- Develop and monitor accessibility improvement initiatives and corrective action measures.
- Ensure appropriate coordination among designated ADA and Section 504 personnel while maintaining clearly defined operational responsibilities.
- Identify significant disability compliance risks and provide recommendations to the Vice President and General Counsel.
5. Digital Accessibility Compliance
- Coordinate institutional initiatives to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable digital accessibility requirements.
- Oversee accessibility assessments involving University websites, learning management systems, instructional technologies, electronic documents, web applications, digital communications, and other technology resources.
- Collaborate with Information Technology, Academic Affairs, Procurement, Marketing and Communications, and other departments regarding digital accessibility responsibilities.
- Support the development and implementation of digital accessibility policies, procedures, standards, remediation plans, and monitoring processes.
- Coordinate institutional assessments of digital accessibility barriers and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
- Monitor applicable federal and state digital accessibility requirements, including relevant technical standards and implementation deadlines.
- Provide operational updates and recommendations concerning digital accessibility compliance initiatives.
6. Investigations and Complaint Resolution
- Direct the administration of civil rights complaint intake, assessment, investigation, documentation, and resolution within the jurisdiction of the Office of Civil Rights.
- Conduct or oversee complex investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, accessibility, and other assigned civil rights matters.
- Establish investigative procedures and protocols designed to promote fairness, impartiality, thoroughness, consistency, and timely resolution.
- Assign investigators and other personnel based on the nature, complexity, and sensitivity of individual matters.
- Oversee investigative planning, evidence collection, witness interviews, documentation, findings, and reporting, as appropriate.
- Ensure appropriate separation of investigative, decision-making, and appellate responsibilities where required by applicable law or University policy.
- Establish procedures for identifying and addressing actual or potential conflicts of interest.
- Coordinate appropriate handling and escalation of complaints involving senior administrators, supervisors, faculty, employees, students, and other University community members.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality and information-sharing practices consistent with applicable law and institutional requirements.
- Oversee the use of Maxient or comparable case management systems to document, monitor, and manage complaints.
- Evaluate complaint trends, investigative outcomes, and systemic concerns to identify opportunities for institutional improvement.
- Coordinate with the Vice President and General Counsel on significant, sensitive, high-risk, or legally complex matters.
7. Institutional Compliance Monitoring and Corrective Action
- Develop and maintain operational systems for assessing compliance with assigned civil rights obligations.
- Monitor implementation of corrective action plans, resolution agreements, remedial measures, and other institutional compliance commitments.
- Establish procedures for documenting responsible parties, implementation deadlines, required actions, and completion status.
- Coordinate with appropriate University departments to ensure timely implementation of assigned corrective measures.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of corrective actions and recommend additional measures when necessary.
- Identify recurring compliance deficiencies, operational gaps, and systemic institutional risks.
- Maintain documentation supporting compliance assessments, regulatory reporting, and institutional accountability.
- Provide periodic compliance monitoring reports and recommendations to the Vice President and General Counsel.
8. Employment Civil Rights Compliance and Human Resources Collaboration
- Collaborate with Human Resources regarding institutional compliance with Title VII, equal employment opportunity requirements, and other applicable employment-related civil rights laws.
- Coordinate, as assigned, the assessment and resolution of complaints involving workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and related protected-class concerns.
- Support the development and implementation of employment-related nondiscrimination policies, training, and compliance initiatives.
- Coordinate with Human Resources and designated University officials regarding employee accommodation processes and workplace accessibility matters.
- Participate in employment-related investigations and compliance reviews as appropriate under established University protocols.
- Consult with the Vice President and General Counsel regarding employment matters involving significant legal, regulatory, or institutional risk.
- Maintain clear distinctions between the responsibilities of the Office of Civil Rights, Human Resources, and the Office of General Counsel.
9. Regulatory Affairs and External Agency Coordination
- Coordinate the operational preparation of institutional responses to civil rights inquiries, complaints, investigations, audits, compliance reviews, and information requests from appropriate governmental and regulatory agencies.
- Serve as an institutional point of contact for assigned civil rights regulatory matters, consistent with the oversight and direction of the Vice President and General Counsel.
- Coordinate with agencies including the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Justice, and other appropriate federal and state entities.
- Organize and review documentation, compliance reports, institutional records, and corrective action materials required for regulatory responses.
- Monitor applicable reporting obligations, regulatory deadlines, and institutional compliance commitments.
- Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel regarding legal strategy, litigation, privileged communications, significant regulatory exposure, and institutional legal positions.
- Monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments and recommend appropriate operational responses.
10. Campus Safety and Clery Act Coordination
- Collaborate with Campus Police, Student Affairs, and other designated University officials regarding matters where civil rights compliance responsibilities intersect with campus safety obligations.
- Coordinate appropriate information-sharing and institutional responses involving sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and related matters.
- Support coordination between applicable Title IX responsibilities and institutional reporting, prevention, and notification obligations under the Clery Act and related requirements.
- Maintain appropriate coordination with the University's designated Clery Act administrators without assuming primary responsibility for Clery Act administration unless expressly assigned.
11. Policy Development, Training, and Prevention
- Coordinate the development, implementation, review, and revision of civil rights policies, procedures, protocols, and compliance resources.
- Ensure that Office of Civil Rights policies and procedures are consistent with applicable legal requirements and University governance processes.
- Develop and administer training and educational initiatives concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, Title IX, Title VI, accessibility, and related civil rights obligations.
- Coordinate mandatory and role-specific training for appropriate University personnel.
- Provide educational presentations and resources to faculty, staff, students, administrators, and other University stakeholders.
- Develop prevention and awareness initiatives designed to reduce compliance risks and promote institutional accountability.
- Evaluate training participation, effectiveness, and areas requiring additional education.
- Recommend policy and procedural improvements based on regulatory developments, complaint trends, and institutional assessments.
12. Records Management, Confidentiality, and Legal Preservation
- Establish and maintain appropriate procedures for secure records management, confidentiality, information access, and documentation within the Office of Civil Rights.
- Ensure compliance with applicable record retention, privacy, and information management requirements.
- Maintain accurate records of complaints, investigations, resolutions, accommodations, corrective actions, and regulatory activities.
- Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel regarding litigation holds, document preservation, subpoenas, regulatory investigations, and other legal processes.
- Ensure appropriate handling of sensitive information and legally protected records.
- Implement internal controls to support accurate documentation, secure information management, and appropriate access to institutional records.
13. Annual Institutional Civil Rights Compliance Assessment
- Prepare an annual institutional civil rights compliance assessment for review by the Vice President and General Counsel.
- Evaluate complaint activity, investigation trends, regulatory developments, and significant institutional compliance concerns.
- Assess training completion, prevention initiatives, accessibility programs, and corrective action implementation.
- Identify systemic risks, recurring deficiencies, operational challenges, and emerging compliance priorities.
- Evaluate Office of Civil Rights performance measures, resource utilization, staffing needs, and operational effectiveness.
- Develop recommendations for institutional improvements, policy revisions, additional training, and future compliance initiatives.
- Support the development of annual operational priorities based on assessment findings and executive direction.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Compliance, Human Resources, Criminal Justice, Law, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
- At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education compliance, civil rights administration, investigations, accessibility services, legal affairs, human resources, student affairs, or a related field.
- Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal and state civil rights laws and regulatory requirements.
- Significant experience conducting, managing, or supervising investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, accessibility, or related compliance matters.
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or administering institutional policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
- Experience supervising personnel, managing operations, or leading complex institutional initiatives.
- Strong analytical, organizational, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive matters requiring confidentiality, sound judgment, and procedural fairness.
- Experience developing and delivering training, educational programs, or institutional compliance initiatives.
- Proficiency with standard office technology and electronic case management or compliance management systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school strongly preferred.
- Significant experience in higher education civil rights administration, Title IX coordination, Title VI compliance, accessibility services, or institutional compliance leadership.
- Experience directing or managing a civil rights, institutional equity, equal opportunity, accessibility, or related compliance office.
- Demonstrated experience with Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, Section 504, and applicable digital accessibility requirements.
- Experience responding to investigations, audits, or compliance reviews conducted by federal or state regulatory agencies.
- Experience advising or working directly with senior university administrators regarding institutional compliance and risk management.
- Experience supervising professional staff, administering budgets, and implementing operational improvements.
- Experience with Maxient or comparable case management platforms.
- Professional certifications in Title IX, investigations, civil rights compliance, accessibility, or higher education compliance.
- Demonstrated experience working within historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, or other diverse higher education environments.
- Experience developing institutional compliance assessments, corrective action monitoring systems, and strategic operational plans.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Comprehensive understanding of civil rights compliance principles and their application within higher education.
- Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into effective institutional procedures and operational practices.
- Ability to manage multiple sensitive matters, competing deadlines, and institutional priorities.
- Strong investigative, analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to exercise independent professional judgment within established institutional authority and reporting relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise personnel, establish accountability measures, and evaluate operational effectiveness.
- Ability to communicate effectively with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships across University divisions while maintaining appropriate impartiality.
- Strong understanding of confidentiality, records management, procedural fairness, and conflict-of-interest considerations.
- Ability to identify institutional compliance risks and recommend practical, legally appropriate solutions.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Integrity and Professional Judgment: Exercises discretion, sound judgment, fairness, and professionalism in sensitive institutional matters.
- Operational Leadership: Effectively manages personnel, resources, processes, and competing priorities.
- Institutional Accountability: Establishes clear expectations, monitors outcomes, and follows through on compliance commitments.
- Strategic Implementation: Translates institutional priorities and legal requirements into effective operational practices.
- Collaboration: Builds productive working relationships across University divisions and departments.
- Executive Communication: Communicates complex matters clearly, accurately, and appropriately to senior leadership and institutional stakeholders.
- Impartiality and Procedural Fairness: Maintains objectivity and supports fair, consistent, and legally compliant processes.
- Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Responds effectively to complex, evolving, and high-pressure institutional situations.
- Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to strengthen institutional compliance systems, services, and operational effectiveness.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in a university campus and professional office environment. The position requires regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders. Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities may be required. Travel may be necessary for University business, professional development, regulatory matters, or other assigned responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The position requires the ability to perform essential administrative and professional responsibilities, including use of computers and office technology, participation in meetings, review of records, and communication through in-person and electronic means. Occasional lifting of materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodations will be provided consistent with applicable law.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Interested candidates must submit:
- Completed University employment application.
- Cover letter describing relevant qualifications and leadership experience.
- Current curriculum vitae or résumé.
Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Lincoln University is committed to equal employment opportunity and compliance with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable legal requirements and University policies.
The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
POSITION DISCLAIMER
This job description describes the general nature, scope, and level of responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or expectations.
The University reserves the right to modify duties, reporting assignments, organizational responsibilities, and other position requirements consistent with institutional needs and applicable law.
This description does not constitute an employment contract or guarantee of continued employment.
The Associate Vice President performs assigned responsibilities under the executive oversight and strategic direction of the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees while exercising the appropriate authority, impartiality, and professional judgment necessary to fulfill designated civil rights coordination and compliance responsibilities.