Rules Investigator

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $140,000 -$160,000

Position Summary

University Life was created to develop and enhance the student experience at Columbia. Working in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, University Life strengthens resources, policies, and conversations, and builds community outside of the classroom. Our efforts all connect to core values for the Columbia community:

• Inclusion and belonging
• Health and well-being
• Sexual respect
• Community citizenship

University Life is a central division focused on enhancing the student experience across Columbia's 17 schools and colleges. We serve as a student life hub for the University and are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture where students can thrive in all dimensions of their lives. In University Life, we focus on connecting students to each other, to the broader University and surrounding community, and to opportunities beyond their schools.

We work to educate students about Columbia's values and policies and share essential and timely information with students from the University. Through our programs, services, and partnerships, we support students' educational enrichment during their time at Columbia.

Reporting to the Rules Administrator, the Investigator will serve as an expert on the University's Statutes (specifically the Rules of University Conduct) and will compile evidence and advise the Rules Administrator on each case. Additionally, the Investigator will support the Rules Administrator during University Judicial Board ("UJB") hearings and with correspondence with legal representation of students.

The Investigator will assist the University's Rules Administration team in performing substantive work that requires knowledge of the Rules of University Conduct ("Rules") and procedures related to administering them. The incumbent will research and compile data for complex and highly sensitive Rules matters; review documents and reports for the purpose of ensuring accuracy, and conformance with university statutes; research and analyze the Rules from various sources (e.g., statutes, precedents, recorded decisions on cases); obtain necessary files, documentation and reports for resolution of cases and for hearings before the University Judicial Board (e.g., delegate and public safety records); maintain access to databases related to ongoing cases (ex: Maxient), draft resolutions and motions; investigate cases; locate witnesses; organize and track case files; prepare charges of violations and investigative reports.

Responsibilities

Investigation Management:

• Conduct comprehensive investigations into reported violations of the Rules of University Conduct ("Rules"), including interviewing complainants, respondents, witnesses, and other involved parties.
• Gather, analyze, and synthesize information, including documents, video footage, and other relevant materials.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of all investigative activities and findings in Maxient.

Policy Compliance:

• Ensure investigations align with the Rules Charter and University policies.
• Apply the Rules to community members, including students, faculty, staff, visitors, and invitees, while maintaining consistency and fairness.

Report Preparation:

• Draft clear and concise investigative reports (including summarizing findings and presenting evidentiary information).
• Provide recommendations on how to proceed with potential Rule violations based on findings and, where appropriate, for submission to the Rules Administrator (who will review and consider for referral to the UJB).
• Assists in preparation for UJB hearings.

Collaboration:

• Coordinate with other offices at the University (including Public Safety, General Counsel, Academic Deans) and other stakeholders related to case management.
• Provide guidance on the Rules to the Rules Administrator and other members of the University community as needed.

Training and Development:

• Stay current with developments in investigation practices, conflict resolution, and particularly those impacting higher education institutions.
• Research best practices for managing demonstrations, free speech rights, and protest-related conflicts in campus environments; complete such trainings as necessary.
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities, including certifications or workshops in investigations, and mediation.
• Serve as a resource for developing and delivering training or informational sessions for members of the University community on the Rules, emphasizing free speech rights and expectations for demonstrations to be in compliance with the Rules.
• Cultivate knowledge of cultural competency and bias awareness to ensure investigative practices are inclusive and equitable.

Other:

• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity when handling sensitive information related to investigations.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of related experience required.
• JD or paralegal certificate and experience with investigations in a university/education setting or with the DA's office.
• Experience as a paralegal in the litigation or corporate department of a law firm and/or in-house law department.
• Highly skilled in building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders with the ability to work effectively and independently with administrators and others, both inside and outside the Office of Rules Administration.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, conflict management, leadership and team-building skills, including proactive problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand, follow and provide written and oral instructions.
• Skilled in clearly communicating information both verbally and in writing.
• Expert knowledge in terminology and subject matter applicable to the job.
• Considerable knowledge of case record keeping.
• Skilled in preparing correspondence, summaries and reports in a clear and concise manner.
• The candidate must be extremely well organized, detail-oriented, efficient, responsible and must have strong interpersonal skills.
• Candidate must exhibit strong skills in performing duties with a professional and cooperative work ethic; ability to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive matters is essential.
• Strong computer skills required with the ability to learn, access, operate and maintain various software applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Maxient, redaction software, and other software that is helpful for following investigative procedures.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.