The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) employs approximately 4,000 dedicated staff who serve more
than 35,000 students attending a variety of programs across 65 elementary and 11 secondary schools as well as
continuing education and adult learning centresin the counties of Dufferin, Wellington and the City of Guelph. The
UGDSB covers the ancestral and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Six Nations of the Grand River,
and Saugeen Ojibway Nation.
As a Senior Leader, reporting to the Director of Education you will collaborate with the Director and their Executive
Committee and seniorstaff in transformational work to enhance and expand cultures of respect for human rights
and equity and champion the identification and elimination of systemic barriers. Fostering a system culture free of
harassment and discrimination, this role will provide strategic advice, counsel and interpretation forthe Executive
Committee and the Board on all matters related to human rights and religious accommodation, including Board
policies, relevant collective agreement provisions and legislation the Ontario Human Rights Code, relevant
provisions of the Education Act and Regulations,the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Occupational Health and
Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act, The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act and the Board’s Human Rights Policy and Procedures and Guidelinesfor the Accommodation
of Religious Requirements, Practices, and Observances.
Salary
$165,893 per annum (full- time position)
Qualifications and Experience
• Post-secondary degree in a relevant field (e.g., Law, Human Rights, Public Administration, Human
Resources), legal training/ comprehensive knowledge with the law as it pertains to Human Rights is
preferred;
• License to practice law (strongly preferred).
• Formal training and/or certification in mediation, dispute resolution and facilitation;
• Superior understanding of human rights legislation and related case law (including the Ontario Human
Rights Code, relevant provisions of the Education Act and Regulations, the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act, The Workplace
Safety and Insurance Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, etc.) and emerging trends
and issues;
• Demonstrated work-related expertise in applying human rights law and analyzing issues using the
Human Rights Code and relevant policies to prevent and address discrimination and harassment,
including 3 - 5 years of experience in human rights investigations, complaint resolution, and restorative
justice in a complex public sector environment of high visibility;
• Demonstrated experience handling contentious issues with sensitivity, good judgment and discretion
in order to build confidence in the Board’s commitments to human rights, equity and anti-oppression;
• Experience in designing and delivering human rights education and training programs in a collaborative
environment, including conducting training on complaints resolution, investigation, report-writing,
etc.;
• Demonstrated experience providing advice and expertise on human rights-related strategic policy
issues
• In-depth knowledge of relevant Board policies and procedures (e.g., Human Rights Policy and
Procedures, Guidelines and Procedures for the Accommodation of Religious Requirements, Practices
and Observances, Employee Services policies and administrative procedures, etc.), as well as current
collective agreement provisions;
• Excellent managerial skills with respect to planning, communication, decision-making, motivating and
problem-solving, budget development, management and professional experience at a senior level
managing complex and/or high-profile projects;
• Demonstrated experience working with external and internal stakeholders, including executive
management, to develop human rights-related policies and procedures;
• Excellent relationship-building skills, sound judgment, sensitivity and an inclusive approach to building
consensus and solving problems;
• Strong cultural competence and demonstrated commitment to working in a diverse school community
and/or work environment;
• Understanding of the lived experiences of communities in the UGDSB and a proven track record of
identifying and addressing appropriately systemic and individual examples of anti-Black racism,
antisemitism, anti-Indigenous racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, ableism and other forms of hate,
discrimination and oppression;
• Superior understanding of progressive human resources practices and employment equity issues
within Ontario’s public education sector;
• Proven track-record of successfully investigating and resolving human rights-related harassment and
discrimination complaints, interpreting facts and evidence, applying policy and relevant legislation,
managing complex equity issues, and promoting equitable practices that value inclusiveness and
diversity;
• Significant knowledge and experience applying principles of procedural fairness, along with extensive
knowledge of human rights/discrimination legislation, theory and practice;
• Demonstrated supervisory experience and highly developed coaching, mentoring and team-building
skills, with proven ability to lead, engage and inspire staff;
• Significant experience managing complex cases and conflict resolution, both at an informal and formal
level;
• Demonstrated experience with cross team and/or cross department collaboration in order to provide
system level professional learning about equity, anti-oppression and human rights;
• Demonstrated experience engaging and collaborating with diverse communities.
Responsibilities
• Build/maintain networks of support for human rights and equity across the UGDSB and in school
communities;
• Provide education and information on human rights issues across the UGDSB, including providing
human rights compliance training to board leadership
• Work with the Executive Committee to identify and respond to human rights and equity related risks;
• Provide guidance and advice to the Board on its strategic goals in all areas toward fostering a culture
free of harassment and discrimination;
• Develop, coordinate, provide guidance on and implement plans, policies and procedures related to
human rights, including any employment and educational equity plans;
• Implement, update and / or establish the Boards human rights complaints procedure to address claims
of discrimination by students, families, staff and other stakeholders;
• Establish an accessible web presence, and work with staff to ensure the complaints procedure is widely
communicated and accessible to all students, families, staff and communities of the Board;
• Provide training to the Executive Committee, school administrators, managers, and other senior level
staff on how to respond to complaints;
• Enhance the collection, analysis and use of data to identify and address systemic organizational and
attitudinal barriers across the programs, services and functions of the Board, including supporting the
Board to meet its responsibilities under Ontario’s Data Standards for the Identification and Monitoring
of Systemic Racism;
• Consult and work with staff, unions, students, parents, Indigenous partners, other local community
partners and ministry staff;
• Support equitable teaching and learning for all students, including promoting culturally responsive and
relevant pedagogy;
• Supervise implementation of the complaints procedure to ensure procedural requirements are met,
and ensure the integrity of the process and safety of the participants;
• Ensure proper documentation of human rights complaints, including tracking and monitoring progress;
• Assist with assessment of complaint scope;
• Determine appropriate methods of dispute resolution and contract services (e.g. investigators) where
needed;
• Develop and approve investigation plans, review reports and communicate findings;
• Facilitate resolution of human rights complaints, including conducting mediation, investigation or other
forms of complaint resolution where appropriate and as needed;
• Gather statistical information and trend data.
Application Process
Application Package Requirements:
• A cover letter and curriculum vitae
• A maximum two-page summary outlining yourreadiness(skills, experience and your personal value system
that guides your leadership style as related to this role)
• Three professional references with authorization to contact under the terms of the Municipal Freedom of
Information and Protection Act.
Application Deadline: Applications must be received no later than 4:00pm August 29, 2022. Please
submit your application package to ecjobs@ugdsb.on.ca
We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities, and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you
require accommodation during the application orinterview process, please contact Employee Health and Wellness
at wellness@ugdsb.on.ca
Equity at the UGDSB
The UGDSB is committed to disrupting systemic racism and oppression in all of its forms. We are committed to
building a diverse staff that is reflective of and adds value to the community and students we serve. We actively
encourage applications from members of groups who have historically and/or currently experience marginalization
and/or barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:
● First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples
● Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions
● Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination based on race, ancestry, ethnicity, colour,
religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin
● Persons with visible and/or invisible disabilities
At UGDSB, we recognize that many of the identities listed above do not exist in a single form and are often
intersecting, creating complex and unique experiences for applicants. We value the contributions that each person
brings and are committed to creating and maintaining an environment where everyone can participate fully,
thrive, and reach their full potential. Please visit Safe, Equitable and Inclusive Schools to find out more about
equity, diversity and inclusion at the UGDSB.