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Open Positions at IDHR

This page has full job descriptions for open positions at the IDHR office. If you have questions about these positions, please email idhr@mit.edu.

Adaptable Resolution Specialist 

Position Overview 

Reporting to the Manager of Adaptable Resolution and Restorative Practices in the Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office (“IDHR”), the Adaptable Resolution Specialist will provide individual and community-based restorative justice and conflict resolution processes around issues related to discrimination and discriminatory harassment. 

The ARCS will be responsible for facilitating individual student and community-level interventions and dialogues related to identity-based harm by creating, implementing, and supporting community-level restorative and conflict resolution processes.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

  • Lead restorative practice interventions to respond to individual student and community needs. This includes facilitating mediated agreements or restorative justice processes;
  • In collaboration with the Manager of Adaptable Resolution, determine which allegations of misconduct and harm are appropriate for restorative and adaptable resolution interventions;
  • Ensure that all participants in the adaptable resolution process understand their rights, available resources, and resolution options;
  • Meet individually with participants to obtain additional information, ask clarifying questions, manage expectations, and explore options for possible resolution;
  • Follow up with all relevant parties to gather pertinent background information, and assess the dynamics of the issue and situation;
  • Participate on the Bias Response Team to help coordinate comprehensive responses to reports of bias and harassment in relation to community level impact of identity-based harm;
  • Provide educational conversations and restorative coaching in IDHR, along with support for restorative intervention; 
  • Collaborate with the Manager of Adaptable Resolution to develop accessible reports and presentations for a range of stakeholders, including internal and external audiences

Data Collection:

  • Utilize case management database to organize, manage, and track each phase of the resolution process, including signed resolution agreements. (Maxient, Smartsheet);
  • Compile, organize, and provide quantitative and qualitative data for internal and external reporting, including for annual report;
  • Support the development, distribution and review of evaluation and assessment tools to look at impact and effectiveness of AR/RJ processes through IDHR.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a co-facilitator with the Manager of Adaptable Resolution on individual cases, as needed; 
  • Participate in task forces and committees as assigned;
  • Perform other related duties, as needed.

Supervision Received:

  • Direct supervision is received from the Manager of Adaptable Resolutions and Restorative Practices in Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office.

Supervision Exercised:

  • Potentially supervise student interns. Administrative support is shared with entire office.

Qualifications & Skills:

Minimum Required Education & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree [Master’s degree preferred] in related field including education, social work, student affairs, or public health plus two years of experience in higher education or closely related setting with demonstrated knowledge of discrimination and/or gender-based violence education and/or response;
  • General theoretical knowledge base in the areas of student development, cross-cultural communications, and judicial systems;
  • Conflict mediation skills necessary to elicit, understand, and summarize individual and group concerns;
  • Basic knowledge of restorative justice practices and ability to facilitate restorative processes;
  • Demonstrated commitment to serving underrepresented and underserved populations with cultural competence and sensitivity;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to cultivate relationships in a diverse community of students, postdocs, faculty, staff, alumni and affiliates;
  • Demonstrated ability to manage crisis;
  • Excellent writing, facilitation, and presentation skills;
  • Ability to take initiative in planning, developing, organizing, and following through on projects and plans while working both independently and collaboratively in a high pressure, dynamic environment;
  • Demonstrated advanced computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

Preferred:

  • Master-levels certification in Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution and/or Peacebuilding or commensurate experience leading restorative circles and processes.
  • Advanced knowledge of legal issues in higher education, particularly related to Title IX, Title VI, and Title VII.

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Investigator

Basic Function and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager of Investigations, the Investigator serves as one of two designated investigators for complaints involving students alleging discrimination and harassment based on a protected category under the Institute’s non-discrimination and harassment policies. In addition, the Investigator will investigate other complaints as the Institute requires, such as employee matters.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for own complaint caseload, in consultation with the Manger of Investigations where necessary, and performs related duties such as case evaluation, coordination with school/department designees, conducting party and witness interviews, identifying other evidence, timely communication with parties, evaluating evidence and conducting legal analysis to reach a determination, and drafting and issuing written reports. Process requests for informal resolutions and be available to speak with members of the Institute community that have questions an Institute discrimination or discriminatory harassment policy pr related procedures.
  • The Investigator is expected to treat all constituents engaged in the complaint process with sensitivity and objectivity, and exercise a high level of confidentiality
  • Maintain records for all formal and informal investigations
  • Collaborate and communicate regularly with the Manager of Investigations
  • Train colleagues to assist with investigations as needed
  • Participate in professional development in investigation, fact gathering, and student conduct case resolution
  • Identify and integrate best practices into investigations
  • Coordinate and collaborate with campus partners 
  • Conduct training sessions, as needed
  • Assist with certain compliance efforts 
  • Perform other duties, as assigned

Required Experience/Qualifications​:

  • A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, some of which must be in the area of conducting investigations including demonstration of the following skills, knowledge, and expertise: conducting sensitive and confidential investigations; knowledge of federal civil rights laws, or similar, including case law and agency interpretation; familiarity with witness interview and investigation techniques; conducting complex legal analysis and reaching legally sound determinations; producing high quality written work products. An advanced degree may count toward years of experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in a highly diverse environment
  • Excellent/Demonstrated ability to take initiative and independently organize, prioritize, and carry out detailed work under time constraints
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to cultivate partnerships in MIT’s diverse community of students, staff, and faculty
  • Excellent listening and communication skills, combined with an ability to maintain impartiality in complex cases
  • Ability to work some evenings and weekends, as required

Preferred Experience/Qualifications​:

  • J.D. preferred  
  • Experience with alternative dispute resolution practices
  • Demonstration of the above legal expertise in an educational arena is a plus
  • Additional advanced or clinical degree in psychology, criminal justice, social work, or other relevant fields is desirable 
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise a high level of discretion and good judgment, and ability to quickly establish credibility with a broad range of constituents, including faculty, staff, students, law enforcement, and others
  • Ability to handle confidential information, including information from individuals who may be experiencing distress, with the utmost discretion and sensitivity
  • Familiarity with other federal statutes important to post-secondary education (e.g., VAWA, Clery Act, FERPA) is strongly preferred. Experience in the higher education environment interacting on student life issues with students and administration is a plus

Supervision Received/Exercised:

  • Supervision is received from the Manager of Investigations

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