Human Rights Investigator (MM3) - Human Rights Division, Human Rights and Equity Department

Posted on:
September 22, 2021

Applications from employees of the Waterloo Region District School Board as well as external applicantswill be considered.The Waterloo Region District School Board is situated in Canada’s innovation heartland, where we areinnovating tomorrow by educating today. The Board provides a comprehensive educational program forapproximately 65,000 students in the Region of Waterloo. The Board is the seventh largest public schooldistrict in Ontario with 16 secondary schools, 105 elementary schools, and approximately 8,500 staffmembers. Additional information regarding the Board is available on the Board’s web site atwww.wrdsb.ca.Reporting to the Human Rights and Equity Advisor, Human Rights and Equity Department, Human RightsDivision, the Human Rights Investigator will be responsible for resolving harassment and discriminationincidents and complaints, including those where involved parties are interested in pursuing alternativedispute resolution, and other informal complaints resolution processes.A vital aspect of this position as a Human Rights Investigator will be to develop and provide education,training and capacity‐building tools to senior administrators and staff on conflict resolution,investigation and mediation.The successful applicant for this Mid‐Management Level 3 position (salary range of $78,156 to $90,975),will be working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, effective on a mutually agreeable date.Responsibilities● Working in collaboration with members of the Human Rights and Equity Department, as a Human RightsInvestigator, you will:● Assess if complaints meets the threshold of a Code‐based complaint and within the OntarioHuman Rights Code and the WRDSB Human Rights Policy;● Communicate with involved parties and assess the scope of the complaint;● Provide interpretation, advice and guidance to WRDSB staff, students, parents and communityon matters related to human rights and equity;● Assist complainants complete relevant forms with patience and understanding;● Investigate and resolve formal and informal complaints through mediation and other forms forearly dispute resolution in accordance with the Human Rights Policy and related Procedures;● Assist in the implementation of the WRDSB’s Human Rights Policy and related AdministrativeProcedures, guidelines and strategies;● Develop and deliver in‐service training programs;● Assist with the recruitment of qualified and experienced third party investigators and mediatorsto ensure and maintain an adequate cadre of investigators and mediators to meet the needs ofthe Human Rights and Equity Department, as necessary; and● Design and implement early intervention strategies to resolve conflicts before they escalate,support complaint intake, and conduct preliminary complaint fact‐finding, triaging, andthreshold assessments.● Perform other duties, as assigned.Qualifications● University degree in a related field (e.g. Human Rights/Equity, Social Sciences, PublicAdministration, Social Work) with three (3) years of frontline experience within a large,unionized public sector environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience;● Human rights and workplace harassment experience, including counselling, case management,and leading conflict resolution/mediation and alternative dispute resolution;● Skills in counselling, mediation, informal and alternative dispute resolution practices, andconflict resolution;● Knowledge of progressive human rights and workplace harassment prevention practices,including related legislation, case law (e.g. Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility forOntarians with Disabilities Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act,Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Freedom of Information) and human resources practices;● Proven ability in promoting equitable practices which value inclusiveness and diversity;● Demonstrated understanding of issues affecting marginalized groups and working with diversecommunities in an anti‐oppressive/anti‐racist, culturally relevant and responsive manner;● Demonstrated experience dealing with sensitive and confidential information with sensitivity,good judgement and discretion;● Demonstrated ability to build rapport with various stakeholders and work effectively in a teamenvironment;● Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to prepare concise, comprehensive reports,present investigation findings, facilitate training sessions and communicate effectively withinternal and external stakeholders;● Highly developed, analytical and problem‐solving skills;● Proven ability to work under pressure in order to meet frequent deadlines; and● Proficient computer skills, including word processing, databases, presentation packages, casemanagement software, email, and internet;● Record of satisfactory on‐the‐job experience.Candidates are asked to electronically submit a copy of their covering letter and resume, quotingposting #20.085 – Human Rights Investigator, no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 8, 2020 to LauriePett, Human Resources Officer at [email protected].Recognizing the significant impact that COVID‐19 is having on our world and our ways of doing business,the Board recognizes that the recruitment/selection process may need to be modified to ensureindividual and community safety. We are all working through what is an unprecedented time for ourschools and our communities. To that end, the Board will be engaging in a different method ofinterviewing candidates for vacancies. This may include but is not limited to a Google Hangout video‐conference interview. Hiring Teams will provide further information to candidates upon request for aninterview.The Waterloo Region District School Board is committed to equity in employment. We are committed tofair and equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of thecommunity we serve, who will foster the success and well‐being of our students and who demonstrate acommitment to equity and inclusion in the classroom.We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers toequity, including, but not limited to: First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples; members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry,colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin; persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities; persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.We will make any appropriate accommodation based on any of the human rights protected grounds, tosupport candidate participation in the hiring process.We appreciate the interest of all applicants but will only be interviewing selected candidates based onjob specific criteria and only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

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