Deputy General Counsel, Equal Opportunity and Institutional Compliance

Location

Fitchburg, MA Category: Staff Job Type: Full Time Posted On: Fri Nov 13 2026 Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Deputy General Counsel of Equal Opportunity & Institutional Compliance is a key member of the Personnel Services team and works closely with the Executive Director of Personnel Services and the Vice President/General Counsel to ensure the University's compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as institutional policies and ethical standards.

This position provides strategic leadership and coordination of the University's civil rights, equal opportunity, and compliance programs. The Deputy collaborates with stakeholders across all divisions, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners, to promote a culture of compliance, equity, and accountability, and to support consistent, effective institutional responses to compliance-related matters.

The Deputy serves as the University's Title IX Coordinator, Title VI and VII Coordinator, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, and Clery Administrator, and is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing policies, procedures, training, and enforcement activities related to these areas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Legal and Compliance

• Serve as the University's Title IX, Title VI, and Title VII Coordinator, overseeing institutional compliance with all applicable civil rights laws and regulations.
• Serve as the ADA Title II and Section 504 Coordinator, ensuring compliance with disability-related laws, including oversight of reasonable accommodation policies and practices.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing administration of the University's Equal Opportunity Plan and related policies, including the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.
• Advise on applicable state and federal laws, regulations, governance, accreditation, employment and labor law, collective bargaining, student affairs, compliance, contracts, litigation, and institutional risk management.
• Collaborate with institutional representatives to review initiatives for legal compliance. Provide operational support through legal advice on crisis response, governance, accreditation, and related issues that may arise.
• Develop, review, and advise on contracts, licenses, leases, procurement policies and procedures, and other legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable law.
• Assist General Counsel and/or represent the University in litigation,
• Conduct legal research
• Analyze and provide policy and process advice related to compliance and risk management.
• Play a key role in the coordination of University-wide compliance efforts in a decentralized environment and support the development of a comprehensive compliance framework.
• Monitor emerging legal requirements and best practices in higher education (e.g., Title IX, Clery Act, ADA, EEO, FERPA, free expression, whistleblower protections).
• Ensure compliance with additional regulatory requirements, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee the University's policy repository to ensure accessibility, consistency, and regular review.
• Serve as liaison for employment-based immigration matters, coordinating with departments and external counsel to ensure compliance with federal immigration laws and visa processes.
• Provide guidance to hiring units and employees on visa sponsorship and employment authorization requirements.
• Other assigned duties.

Complaint Resolution & Investigations

• Intake, assess, and respond to complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation, and related concerns involving faculty, staff, students, and third parties.
• Conduct or oversee prompt, equitable, and thorough investigations, ensuring compliance with applicable legal standards and institutional policies.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports, including findings, conclusions, and recommended corrective actions.
• Facilitate informal resolutions where appropriate and coordinate implementation of supportive and remedial measures.

Training, Education & Prevention

• Prepare and conduct legal training programs in areas including compliance with employment laws and federal and state laws.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for students, employees, and applicants on civil rights compliance, reporting obligations, and prevention of discrimination and harassment.
• Train and coordinate individuals involved in grievance processes, including investigators, hearing officers, appeal officers, and deputy coordinators.
• Support campus-wide prevention and awareness initiatives related to Title IX, VAWA, and Clery Act requirements.

Clery Act & Related Compliance

• Serve as the University's Clery Administrator in partnership with University Police and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with the Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and related laws, including oversight of data collection, classification, and reporting.
• Prepare and distribute the Annual Security Report and ensure timely and accurate crime statistics reporting.
• Identify and train Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) and maintain required documentation and processes.

Monitoring, Auditing & Reporting

• Develop and maintain systems for tracking, managing, and reporting compliance activities, including case management and data analysis.
• Conduct internal assessments to evaluate compliance with civil rights, EEO, ADA, and related requirements.
• Prepare required institutional reports, including Clery, state reporting (e.g., Massachusetts Campus Sexual Violence requirements), and internal summaries of complaint trends and outcomes.
• Maintain required consumer disclosures in accordance with the Higher Education Act and other applicable regulations.

Job Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member of the Massachusetts Bar, or eligible to become a member of the Massachusetts Bar.
• Three (3) years of progressive responsibility in higher education or public-sector law, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience or familiarity working in a union environment with labor and/or labor litigation OR experience operating in a collective bargaining environment.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with applicable regulations, laws and statutes governing employment and higher education, including but not limited to Titles IV, VI, VII and IX, as well as ADA, FLSA, and FMLA.
• Exceptional oral, written, research, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to advise executive leaders, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and address complex, multidisciplinary legal issues.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships, identify practical solutions to complex problems, and foster an environment in which a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints are valued.
• Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit eligible non-union position. The starting salary range is $130,000 - $140,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Priority deadline

December 4, 2026; open until filled

Fitchburg State University conducts criminal history, and sexual offenders record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Fitchburg State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Pre-taxed, health insurance plan options.
• A pension or 401(a) defined contribution plan, and supplemental plan retirement options.
• Life insurance up to 8x the annual salary.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Dental insurance.
• Twenty vacation days accrued per year.
• Fifteen sick days accrued per year.
• Five personal days per year.
• Paid holidays.
• Tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children.

Fitchburg State University is an equal opportunity employer.