SCDSB Hiring Human Rights and Equity Advisor
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUITY ADVISOR
Salary Range: $171,000 per year
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is committed to equitable hiring practices that provide equal opportunities for all applicants to be successful. We are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. In support of our Strategic Priorities, we are seeking members who reflect diverse identities, lived experiences and perspectives to assist the SCDSB in reflecting the community we serve. Our equitable hiring initiative is consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code to ensure that our hiring practices remain equitable to candidates from groups protected by the prohibited grounds under the Code.
Reporting to the Director of Education, the successful candidate will collaborate with the SCDSB senior administration team in transformational work to expand cultures of respect for human rights and equity and champion the identification and elimination of systemic barriers. Through leadership, education, and training, relationship building, and participating in system-level decision making, the Human Rights and Equity Advisor (HREA) supports the SCDSB to identify and address systemically based human rights and equity issues and build the SCDSB’s capacity to ensure compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. The HREA will lead the implementation of Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan in support of the SCDSB's Strategic Priorities in the areas of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Community and Well-being while working to build and enhance a culture of respect for the principles of human rights and equity throughout SCDSB.
Qualifications, Pertinent Skills and Experience:
university degree related to equity studies, diversity and inclusion, human rights, human resources, law or social work;
three (3) – five (5) years experience in human rights investigations, complaint resolution, and restorative justice;
superior understanding of the Ontario Human Rights Code and human rights case law and emerging trends and issues;
demonstrated work-related expertise in applying human rights law and analyzing issues using the Human Rights Code and relevant policies to prevent and address discrimination and harassment;
experience in designing and delivering human rights education and training programs, including conducting training on complaints resolution, investigation, report writing, etc.;
knowledge of Ontario’s publicly funded schools and education employment equity issues;
demonstrated experience providing advice and expertise on human rights related strategic policy issues to senior-level administration;
excellent managerial skills with respect to planning, communication, decision making, motivating and problem-solving, and professional experience at a senior level managing complex and/or high-profile projects;
demonstrated ability to resolve complex problems and build consensus in a manner that inspires confidence and diffuses escalating situations;
demonstrated experience working with external and internal stakeholders, including senior management, to develop human rights-related policies and procedures;
excellent relationship building skills, sound judgment, sensitivity, and an inclusive approach to building consensus and solving problems;
experience handling contentious issues with sensitivity, confidentiality, and discretion;
exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills; and,
strong cultural competence and demonstrated commitment to working in a diverse school community and/or work environment.
Duties include:
provide leadership in the collaborative development of an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible strategy to fully integrate human rights and equity policy principles into every aspect of the work of the board through data collection, policy reform, building the capacity of staff and students, improving outreach and engagement and effectively resolving incidents and complaints;
through leadership, education and training, relationship building, and participating in system-level decision making, the HREA supports the SCDSB to identify and address systemically based human rights and equity issues and build the SCDSB’s capacity to ensure compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code;
using their expertise and proven experience in human rights investigations, complaint resolution and restorative justice, the HREA oversees the SCDSB’s internal human rights complaints procedure, including consideration for an Organizational Response Team;
provide education and information on human rights issues across the SCDSB, including providing for human rights compliance training to senior staff;
work with the SCDSB’s senior administration and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Department to identify and respond to human rights and equity related risks;
provide guidance and advice to the SCDSB on its strategic priorities in all areas toward fostering a culture free of harassment and discrimination;
develop, coordinate, provide guidance on and implement plans, policies and procedures related to human rights, including any employment and educational equity plans;
implement, update or establish the SCDSB’s human rights complaints procedure to address claims of discrimination by students, families, staff and other stakeholders;
establish an accessible web presence, and work with staff to ensure the complaints procedure is widely communicated and accessible to all students, families, staff and communities of the SCDSB;
provide training to superintendents, school administrators, managers, and other senior-level staff on how to respond to complaints;
work in collaboration with Research and Decision Support and Information Technology Services to develop metrics, tools, surveys, etc., to identify gaps in human rights knowledge/awareness across the system, and assess outcomes of targeted information campaigns, professional learning and staff training activities to guide future planning;
enhance the collection, analysis and use of data to identify and address systemic organizational and attitudinal barriers across the programs, services and functions of the SCDSB, including supporting the SCDSB to meet its responsibilities under Ontario’s Data Standards for the Identification and Monitoring of Systemic Racism;
consult and work with staff, unions, students, parents/guardians, Indigenous partners, other local community partners and ministry staff;
support equitable teaching and learning for all students, including promoting culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy; and,
serve as a resource to other school boards on an as-needed basis, where this, in the SCDSB’s view, does not unreasonably interfere with the HREA’s primary duties.
Participation in the OMERS Pension Plan is mandatory for all full-time permanent employees,
even if currently in receipt of an OMERS pension.
Applicants are required to submit a resume detailing education, experience, and qualifications; documentation confirming certifications; and written permission to contact two professional references on or before 12 p.m. on October 26, 2021. Cover letters may be addressed to Kary Hancock, Executive Assistant to Brian Jeffs, Superintendent of Human Resources, by email: khancock@scdsb.on.ca.
New hires to the SCDSB will be required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) that is satisfactory to the board prior to beginning employment. Applicants are to provide permission to contact two professional references, including their current and most recent supervisor. All applicants are thanked for their interest in this position; however, only those who have been short-listed for an interview will be contacted.
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