Human Rights Investigator - Whitby, Canada - Durham District School Board

Durham District School Board

Verified Company

Whitby, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Position title:
Human Rights Investigator

Department:
Office of the Associate Director of Corporate Services

Type:
Full-time,
Contract position

Position reports to:
Associate Director of Corporate Services

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is responsible for public education in the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa.

The DDSB accommodates a school population of nearly 74,000-day students, through 134 elementary and secondary schools and learning centres, and thousands more who take advantage of a wide variety of continuing education and adult credit courses.

The DDSB is committed to meeting its responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code and other legislation to provide services, employment and learning and working environments that centre human rights and equity and that are safe, welcoming, respectful, equitable, accessible, inclusive and free from all forms of discrimination, oppression, racism, harassment and harm.

Description of Role

The Human Rights Investigator will play a key role in supporting the District's commitment to Indigenous rights and human rights.

This new position is responsible for addressing discrimination and harassment complaints and conducting related legal assessments, mediations and investigations involving students, parents/guardians, employees and community members.

The investigator will also develop tools and resources to support and enhance timely, effective and responsive human rights complaint resolution processes.

This position is an "arm's length" role to support impartial, independent and fair investigations. The position reports to the Associate Director of Corporate Services for administrative purposes only.

The investigator will also collaborate with the District's Human Rights and Equity Advisor on strategies to address systemic human rights issues and trends.

Accountabilities

Assess human rights complaints (for example, conducting threshold assessments) using legal principles and determine the most appropriate course of action
Consult with the Indigenous Education department on issues/complaints that concern the Indigenous Education Policy and procedures or that involve allegations of violations of Indigenous rights
Facilitate restorative practices and conduct mediations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution
Conduct investigations, including interviewing parties, gathering and analyzing evidence, making findings and writing investigation reports based on legal and human rights principles, analyses and tests
Collect and maintain complaintsrelated data, analyze trends, conduct research, review best practices and case law, identify potential legal risks, systemic issues and barriers, and recommend strategies to inform and enhance responsive complaints resolution procedures and practices
Work closely with the District's Human Rights and Equity Advisor to provide input and advice on systemic human rights issues, trends and solutions, including developing new (or revising existing) procedures, strategies and initiatives
Collaborate with human rights investigators and advisors in other districts and sectors, and actively participate in communities of practice
Perform other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge and understanding of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the distinct rights of Indigenous Peoples
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Education Act, and other legislation and related legal principles and case law regarding human rights investigations and the rights of children/youth, students, employees and families/communities in the District's learning and working environments
Experience assessing complex human rights issues or complaints based on all Human Rights Code grounds and using strong legal, analytical and problemsolving skills to determine appropriate courses of action
Experience successfully resolving human rights issues and complaints, including through restorative practices, mediation and other forms of informal and formal alternative dispute resolution and conflict resolution practices
Experience conducting complex and sensitive human rights investigations, with excellent knowledge of legal and administrative/procedural investigation requirements and best practices
Experience in, knowledge of and sensitivity to unique considerations involved in conducting human rights investigations involving children (for example, including interviewing or working and communicating with children and youth of various ages, developmental stages and lived experiences, realities and needs), including how children/youth may express them