Civil Rights Compliance - Program Supervisor
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Equity and Civil Rights Office at OSPI seeks a Civil Rights Compliance - Program Supervisor to monitor school districts’ compliance with state and federal civil rights laws and investigate discrimination complaints. The role involves collaboration with OSPI departments, travel statewide, and a balance of in-office and telework days in Olympia, WA.
The ideal candidate is a lawyer or experienced investigator with a strong commitment to civil rights and public service, able to lead training and
Qualifications
- Law degree from an accredited law school or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s degree with three years of investigations or legal analysis experience (civil rights preferred).
- Must reside in Washington state and be able to travel statewide.
- Able to work from the Olympia office at least two days per month.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical assistance and resources regarding civil rights requirements to schools, parents, advocates, and other interested parties.
- Respond to allegations and complaints of discrimination; investigate complaints; and facilitate resolutions.
- Coordinate and conduct monitoring of K–12 school compliance with state and federal civil rights laws through reviews, including on-site, and identify noncompliance; outline corrective actions.
- Identify, research, and analyze potential discriminatory policies and laws in K–12.
- Design and lead trainings for schools, parents, advocates, and other stakeholders regarding civil rights, school district responsibilities, complaint procedures, and OSPI services.
- Design and prepare guidance, bulletins, and reports that support the Equity and Civil Rights Office.
- Collaborate with state and federal agencies, professional organizations, and other OSPI departments.
Skills
Education
Job description
Civil Rights Compliance - Program Supervisor
$84,679 - $99,622 annually
The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill a Civil Rights Compliance - Program Supervisor position. This full-time permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington. This position may be eligible for partial to near full-time telework. Telework is a combination of in-building and off-site days. During your training period you will be required to be in the office 1 day per week. After you’ve completed your initial training, you may have the option to work from home on a flexible telework schedule. While we’re happy to offer this balance of in-office connections and telework flexibility, this isn’t a fully remote position. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.
OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.
At OSPI, We Recognize That Our Employees Are The Key To The Success Of The Agency. We Are Committed To Our Work But Value The Balance With Our Personal Lives. We Demonstrate Our Commitment To Employees By Providing An Environment That Stimulates Professional Growth And Values Them For Their Expertise. OSPI Is a Great Place To Work And Has Several Initiatives To Help Create a Great Working Environment, Including
- We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on long-term values of newborns and infant-parent bonding. Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We value and are actively involved in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within OSPI by way of cross-divisional, collaborative committee. The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing OSPI values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.
Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators. We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.
Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child
Each student, family, and community possesses strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:
- Goes beyond equality; it requires education leaders to examine the ways current policies and practices result in disparate outcomes for our students of color, students living in poverty, students receiving special education and English Learner services, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and highly mobile student populations.
- Requires education leaders to develop an understanding of historical contexts; engage students, families, and community representatives as partners in decision-making; and actively dismantle systemic barriers, replacing them with policies and practices that ensure all students have access to the instruction and support they need to succeed in our schools.
The Equity and Civil Rights Office is a professional and inclusive work environment where teamwork, high quality legal and customer service, and work–life balance are highly valued. The Equity and Civil Office’s work includes a diverse mix of monitoring and investigations, policy and resource development, and technical assistance. The Equity and Civil Rights Office leads some of OSPI’s most critical initiatives, including gender-inclusive schools, language access, and systemic approaches to preventing and responding to discriminatory harassment in K–12 public schools. Through these activities and initiatives, the Equity and Civil Rights Office works to build school districts’ capacity to eliminate discrimination.
The primary role of the Civil Rights Compliance Program Supervisor is to monitor school districts' compliance with state and federal civil rights laws and investigate discrimination complaints. The program supervisor also provides support and information to help parents, students, and educators understand civil rights laws, regulations and responsibilities, and to identify potential issues and options. Collaboration, neutrality, legal analysis and problem-solving, and effective and accurate communication are essential to this position.
In this role, the program supervisor does not serve as an advocate but as a resource to families, educators, and OSPI staff to answer questions regarding civil rights matters and assist in resolving issues of discrimination. The program supervisor coordinates with other OSPI departments, school districts, state and federal agencies, and other organizations to effectively accomplish this work. These responsibilities affect the continued federal funding for the state.
This position involves some travel in the state for training and monitoring activities. This position is supervised by the Managing Attorney of the Equity and Civil Rights Office. A strong candidate for this position is an attorney or experienced investigator with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public service.
- Provide technical assistance, information, and resources regarding civil rights requirements in a professional, legally accurate, and approachable manner to schools, parents, advocates, and other interested parties.
- Respond to allegations and complaints of discrimination by students, parents, employees, and others; investigate complaints; and facilitate resolutions.
- Coordinate and conduct monitoring of K–12 school compliance with state and federal civil rights laws through compliance reviews, including some on-site reviews, and other methods as needed. Identify issues of noncompliance, outline corrective actions, and monitor outcomes to ensure that schools comply with any required corrective actions.
- Identify, research, and analyze potential discriminatory policies, procedures, and practices in the K–12 sector, including researching and analyzing state and federal nondiscrimination statutes, regulations, guidance, and case law.
- Design and lead trainings for schools, parents, advocates, and other stakeholders regarding civil rights, school district responsibilities, complaint procedures, and OSPI services.
- Design and prepare guidance, bulletins, reports, tools, and other resources that support the work of the Equity and Civil Rights Office.
- Collaborate and consult with state and federal agencies, professional and advocacy organizations, and other OSPI departments.
- Law degree from an accredited law school OR
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in K–12 education, public administration, law, or related field, and three years of experience in investigations or legal analysis (preferably in civil rights)
- Must reside in the state of Washington
- Ability to travel statewide
- The selected candidate will be expected to work from the Olympia office at least two days per month.
- Experience conducting investigations, including investigation planning, conducting interviews, legal analysis, and report writing
- Experience working in the K–12 education system and knowledge of OSPI's role
- Knowledge of state and federal nondiscrimination laws and regulations, and understanding of civil rights issues affecting school districts
- Ability to analyze complex problems and legal issues and develop practical solutions
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver technical and legal information clearly and concisely in writing and verbally in both formal and informal settings, including public speaking
- Experience in active listening and responding to parent and student concerns or complaints, preferably regarding issues of discrimination, equal access, or disability (Section 504 or special education)
- Experience communicating legal concepts to a range of individuals (such as parents, youth, and school professionals) in writing, by phone, and in person
- Knowledge of mediation, conflict resolution, or alternative dispute resolution skills
- Knowledge and experience in effective program planning, and in developing training programs
- Strong skills in the use of technology for presentations, data collection, and communication
- Knowledge of the responsibilities of state education agencies and the roles and responsibilities of other agencies
- The ability to work independently and in a team setting
The annual compensation for the position is $84,679 - $99,622 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate.
Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This is a Washington Management Position. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Sal Salazar, Human Resources
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200
360-725-6278 : sal.salazar@k12.wa.us
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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