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, this employee will be responsible for resolving complex harassment and discriminationincidents and complaints – from conducting and overseeing investigations in these areas, to buildingappropriate, standardized processes to support effective resolution. This will include developing relatedguidelines and protocols to support process standardization, and facilitating the resolution of complaintsthrough 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 thenature 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 subjectmatter expert, you will provide interpretation, advice and guidance to staff on matters related to theHuman Rights Code, Human Rights and Workplace Harassment Prevention Policies and Procedures, andother equity‐related issues, plus develop and provide education, training and capacity‐building tools tosenior 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.Responsibilities● Working in collaboration with members of the Human Rights and Equity Department, as a Human RightsOfficer, you will:● Model the principles of equity and inclusion as articulated in Ontario’s EducationEquity 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 variousinternal 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, andlegal developments impacting policy and practice;● Provide leadership in the design and development of resource materials, programs and activitiesfor the enhancement of inclusion awareness and learning, which may include workshops,presentations, webinars and other opportunities to engage with staff and members ofWaterloo’s diverse communities;● Maintain collaborative relationships with government agency counterparts and representativesof other school boards;● Make recommendations in collaboration with the Human Rights Advisor, and other seniorofficials;● Assist in the review and preparation of investigation reports, including findings, analysis andrecommendations;● Liaise with Board departments and provide advice and expertise on how to improve operationsthrough a human rights and equity approach;● Educate WRDSB staff about Human Rights Policies and Procedures, as well as otherpolicies/legislation aimed at addressing equity issues;● Promote a positive human rights culture and educational programs designed to promotesubstantive 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 implementationof programs and services;● Contribute to the development, implementation and review of related Policies, Procedures andProtocols to ensure compliance and advance human rights;● Contribute to the development and provision of effective communication strategies to assistwith implementing Human Rights Policies and Procedures;● Conduct research, analysis and investigations to ensure that incidents/complaints are resolvedin a consistent, impartial, timely and fair manner;● Monitor the resolution of incidents/complaints to ensure that appropriate recommendationsare implemented;● Collect, track and analyze data and other information regarding incidents/complaints, andidentify 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, PublicAdministration, Law or Social Work) with four (4) years of progressively responsible, relatedhuman rights experience within a large, unionized public sector environment, or equivalentcombination 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 forOntarians 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 implementationstrategies;● Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of employment barriers, workplace equity, andorganizational 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 diversecommunities in an anti‐oppressive/anti‐racist, culturally relevant and responsive manner;● Demonstrated experience dealing with sensitive and confidential information and handlingcontentious 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, inclusionand related issues;● Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster team‐work and to work effectivelywith 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, comprehensivereports, present investigation findings, facilitate training sessions and communicate effectivelywith internal 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 #20.084 – Human Rights Officer, no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 8, 2020 to Laurie Pett,Human Resources Officer at management_resumes@wrdsb.ca.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.
