Posting #20.084 – Human Rights Officer (MM4) – Extension to Closing Date

Posted on:
September 22, 2021

Applications from employees of the Waterloo Region District School Board as well as external applicants will be considered.The Waterloo Region District School Board is situated in Canada’s innovation heartland, where we are innovating tomorrow by educating today. The Board provides a comprehensive educational program for approximately 65,000 students in the Region of Waterloo. The Board is the seventh largest public school district in Ontario with 16 secondary schools, 105 elementary schools, and approximately 8,500 staff members. Additional information regarding the Board is available on the Board’s web site at www.wrdsb.ca.Reporting to the Human Rights and Equity Advisor, Human Rights and Equity Department, Human Rights Division, this employee will be responsible for resolving complex harassment and discrimination incidents and complaints – from conducting and overseeing investigations in these areas, to building appropriate, standardized processes to support effective resolution. This will include developing related guidelines and protocols to support process standardization, and facilitating the resolution of complaints through alternative dispute resolution processes, including formal mediations and hearings.A vital aspect of this position as a Human Rights Officer will be increasing the understanding of the nature and effects of harassment and discrimination, as well as promoting a culture of human rights, equity and inclusion for Board employees, students, parents and other stakeholders. Acting as a subject matter expert, you will provide interpretation, advice and guidance to staff on matters related to the Human Rights Code, Human Rights and Workplace Harassment Prevention Policies and Procedures, and other equity-related issues, plus 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 4 position (salary range of $83,312 to $96,979), will be working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, effective on a mutually agreeable date.ResponsibilitiesWorking in collaboration with members of the Human Rights and Equity Department, as a Human Rights Officer, you will:

  • Model the principles of equity and inclusion as articulated in Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan as well as the WRDSB Equity and Indigenous Action Plan;
  • Lead, develop, plan and manage aspects related to diversity and inclusion initiatives with various internal departments (e.g., Human Resources, Finance, Facilities, IT, Communications);
  • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders;
  • Monitor internal and external diversity trends, other organizations’ best practices, and legal developments impacting policy and practice;
  • Provide leadership in the design and development of resource materials, programs and activities for the enhancement of inclusion awareness and learning, which may include workshops, presentations, webinars and other opportunities to engage with staff and members of Waterloo’s diverse communities;
  • Maintain collaborative relationships with government agency counterparts and representatives of other school boards;
  • Make recommendations in collaboration with the Human Rights Advisor, and other senior officials;
  • Assist in the review and preparation of investigation reports, including findings, analysis and recommendations;
  • Liaise with Board departments and provide advice and expertise on how to improve operations through a human rights and equity approach;
  • Educate WRDSB staff about Human Rights Policies and Procedures, as well as other policies/legislation aimed at addressing equity issues;
  • Promote a positive human rights culture and educational programs designed to promote substantive equality and eliminate disadvantage caused by discrimination or harassment, resulting in positive systemic changes;
  • Provide leadership in fostering equity and inclusiveness in the development and implementation of programs and services;
  • Contribute to the development, implementation and review of related Policies, Procedures and Protocols to ensure compliance and advance human rights;
  • Contribute to the development and provision of effective communication strategies to assist with implementing Human Rights Policies and Procedures;
  • Conduct research, analysis and investigations to ensure that incidents/complaints are resolved in a consistent, impartial, timely and fair manner;
  • Monitor the resolution of incidents/complaints to ensure that appropriate recommendations are implemented;
  • Collect, track and analyze data and other information regarding incidents/complaints, and identify systemic trends and barriers and strategies to address and remove these; and
  • Perform other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

  • University degree in a related field (e.g. Human Rights/Equity, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Law or Social Work) with four (4) years of progressively responsible, related human rights experience within a large, unionized public sector environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • Knowledge of progressive human rights and workplace harassment prevention practices, including related legislation, case law (e.g. Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Freedom of Information) and human resources practices;
  • Knowledge of research methodologies, change management principles, process implementation strategies;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of employment barriers, workplace equity, and organizational change strategies;
  • Knowledge of progressive requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
  • plus general health and safety awareness
  • Proven ability in promoting equitable practices which value inclusiveness and diversity;
  • Demonstrated understanding of issues affecting marginalized groups and working with diverse communities in an anti-oppressive/anti-racist, culturally relevant and responsive manner;
  • Demonstrated experience dealing with sensitive and confidential information and handling contentious issues with sensitivity, good judgement and discretion;
  • Demonstrated ability in creating consultative and collaborative networks;
  • Demonstrated initiative, strategic leadership and advocacy skills on equity, diversity, inclusion and related issues;
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster team-work and to work effectively with all levels of the organization;
  • Excellent knowledge of data collection to support planning and decision-making;
  • Excellent organizational and administrative skills;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills in order to prepare concise, comprehensive reports, present investigation findings, facilitate training sessions and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders;
  • Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • Proven ability to work under pressure in order to meet frequent deadlines;
  • Proficient computer skills, including word processing, databases, presentation packages, case management 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, quoting posting #20.084 – Human Rights Officer, no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 15, 2021 to Laurie Pett, Human Resources Officer at management_resumes@wrdsb.ca. Please note this is an extension to the due date in the previously posted position. If you have already applied to this posting, you DO NOT need to apply again.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 ensure individual and community safety. We are all working through what is an unprecedented time for our schools and our communities. To that end, the Board will be engaging in a different method of interviewing 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 an interview.The Waterloo Region District School Board is committed to equity in employment. We are committed to fair and equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve, who will foster the success and well-being of our students and who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in the classroom.We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, 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, to support candidate participation in the hiring process.We appreciate the interest of all applicants but will only be interviewing selected candidates based on job specific criteria and only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

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