Working Title: Associate Director, Office of Equal Opportunity

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Access, Compliance and Engagement

Department: 100172 - Equal Opportunity

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 12/01/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Division of Access and Enrollment plays a critical role in shaping a welcoming and vibrant university community by championing opportunities for all students to succeed by removing barriers and fostering a culture of belonging to create an welcoming campus environment.

JMU’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) along with the Office of Title IX fall within the unit of Access, Compliance, and Engagement (ACE) under the division of Access and Enrollment. Collaborating with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners, ACE provides leadership and support for access programs and initiatives, coordinates direct engagement with alumni and engages surrounding communities in mission-focused, mutually beneficial partnerships. The mission of ACE is to assist and lead in creating a welcoming, compliant and supportive community for all faculty, staff, students and visitors.

The Associate Director position reports to the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity. This position will directly supervise the OEO Coordinator and assist in managing the day-to-day resolution of formal complaints of harassment and discrimination. In addition, the individual will facilitate informational sessions for the members of the university community related to the role of OEO and its policies and procedures. They will also serve as the university’s deputy ADA/504 Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct investigations and facilitate informal resolutions of formal complaints filed by members of the university community.

• Facilitate informational sessions to members of the university community related to the role of the OEO and its policies and procedures and assist in the training of OEO hearing boards and panelists.

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to equal opportunity and recommend appropriate changes to university policies and procedures; assist in the development of annual reports.

• Assist with campus-wide collaboration with other university offices to facilitate understanding and implementation of OEO policies, procedures, programs, outreaches, and initiatives.

• Maintain accurate records as required.

• Assist with the management of search processes and OEO oversight.

• Other duties may be assigned by the Director for the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Qualifications:

Required
• Bachelor’s degree

• Demonstrated leadership and experience in one or more of the following areas: Human Resources, Compliance and Equal Opportunity.

• Established commitment to promoting equal opportunity.

• Awareness of trends and issues in higher education, including familiarity with federal and state laws and policies.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work as a team player.

• ADA/504 Coordinator Certification or must be able to obtain within the first six months of employment.

• EEOC Investigator Certification or must be able to obtain within the first six months of employment.


Preferred
• Master’s degree in relevant field and/or higher education.

• Experience in conducting investigations and determining appropriate resolutions.

• Awareness of compliance related to Equal Opportunity laws and regulations.

• Proven experience managing compliance-based administrative tasks and processes related to claims of protected class discrimination, serving complainants, respondents, and the institution.

• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution facilitation.

• Demonstrated success in managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• Experience with implementing recommended best practices in the management of equal opportunity programs and initiatives.

• Experience with using and maintaining confidential materials.

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.