Human Rights Specialist

Interested staff members are required to complete the following on-line application to the attention of : The Recruitment Team.

This position is effective immediately and due to a vacancy.

The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) supports a flexible working culture and currently provides the opportunity for employees to work from home in addition to working in the office for some positions.

The YRDSB implemented Working From Home Guidelines to facilitate this work option. Please note, this does not apply for school based positions.

In compliance with Board policies and procedures, Human Rights Specialists identifies system-wide accessibility issues, develops programs, and provides training on Accessibility and / or Human Rights, and best practices to eliminate barriers for all YRDSB community members.

The role involves co-chairing and leading projects under YRDSB’s Accessibility Committee. The Human Rights Specialist is responsible for managing all aspects of the human rights complaints process, including advisory components, initial evaluations, early resolutions, conducting investigations, and workplace restoration processes.

We have a lot to offer our employees and here is why you should consider working at YRDSB

1) A great place to live and work

2) Our commitment to Equity, Accommodation, and Accessibility

3) Excellent salary and benefits

Total Rewards Include but are not limited to :

Defined benefit pension plan

Short Term Disability Plan

3 days paid religious holidays

Summer Hours (Fridays off in July / August)

A wide array of Benefits through Trust Plans

Professional development and career growth, etc.

Sabbatical and other leaves of absence

Participation in Deferred Salary Plan

Secondment opportunities

Managers and Support Staff Educational Trust Fund (reimbursement of courses / education related to role)

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES :

To serve as the first point of contact on AODA and accessibility matters referred to the Human Rights Office.

To respond to Board inquiries and requests related to accessibility issues.

To monitor, review, and coordinate compliance with accessibility standards in compliance with AODA and related regulations, identify gaps, and recommend resolutions to non-compliance issues.

To co-chair the Accessibility Committee and liaise with subcommittees, attend, organize, and present at quarterly meetings, provide updates, and ensure communication of meeting dates.

To manage Barriers Busters initiative and follow up on barrier reports from the YRDSB community.

To act as the Board's contact with the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility and the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and ensure timely reporting.

To maintain awareness of amendments to AODA-related legislation to ensure Board’s compliance, including updating Board policies and procedures related to AODA legislation and best practices.

To review and update the YRDSB multi-year accessibility plan (MYAP) and submit annual reports.

To conduct accessibility audits as required and ensure ongoing and timely reporting to the AODA Directorate.

To prepare and post the YRDSB Accessibility report on the YRDSB website and ensure regular updates.

To receive and process filed complaints, including conducting preliminary reviews to determine the next steps.

To recommend and resolve complaints through an early resolution process, where appropriate.

To provide training on human rights and / or accessibility.

To draft investigation plans, consult on early identification of issues, and determine the methodology for thorough investigations.

To lead, and conduct investigations including coordinating interviews, and gathering evidence considering principals of fairness, timelines, and attention to details.

To review and analyze all evidence collected during investigations, consulting with the Senior Human Rights Advisor on legal / regulatory issues.

To write detailed, reports and correspondence, providing facts objectively and accurately, findings, potential policy violations and recommendations.

To write and / or assist in work site assessments and implementation of workplace restoration processes.

To manage assigned files following organizational standards and adhering to established timelines. Use the case management system for data input and information retrieval.

To establish good working relationships with all YRDSB community members and external stakeholders.

To perform other duties and training as assigned related to accessibility and the Human Rights Office.

LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY :

Responsible to the Senior Humans Rights Advisor.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS :

A four-year University degree in Social Science, Human Resources Management, Disabilities Studies, Legal Studies, is required or equivalent, as approved by the Board.

Minimum four years of related experience in accessibility and human rights within a public sector environment, preferably in an educational setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolutions, Investigations, and / or Workplace restoration would be considered an asset.

Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and groups both within and outside the Board demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to handle emotionally charged situations.

Demonstrated experience in developing investigative plans, gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and preparing high-quality detailed investigation reports.

Proven facilitation, training, problem-solving, and conflict management skills, including best practices for alternative dispute resolution.

In-depth knowledge of the AODA, Ontario Human Rights Code, and overall human rights complaints process in Ontario.

Knowledge and understanding of school board policies and procedures, employment / labour legislation, the Education Act, Ministry directives, etc.

Proven ability to promote equitable practices valuing inclusiveness and diversity.

Demonstrated ability to lead committees and working groups, and able to work independently and in a team environment.

Working knowledge of adaptive technology and document conversion to ensure AODA compliance.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) believes in giving each and every applicant an equal opportunity to succeed on their own merit and we strive to hire staff that reflect and support the diverse perspectives, experiences and needs of students and communities.

We remain committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments.

We know that diversity underpins excellence, and that we all share responsibility for creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive Board-community.

Therefore, in pursuit of the Board’s values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across the organizational hierarchy in actualizing the Board’s priorities, goals and principles outlined in the Director’s Action Plan.

Candidates who have strong racial literacy practices and a commitment to dismantling anti-racism, anti-oppression, and creating identity-affirming spaces, in order to intentionally disrupt racist and hateful acts.

We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and / or current barriers to sovereignty, equity, including, but not limited to :

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• African, Black and Black Caribbean peoples (in alignment with Anti-Black Racism Strategy);

South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, Middle East / West Asian, Latino / Hispanic (in alignment with YRDSB Workforce Census to address disproportionalities identified).

• 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.

At YRDSB, we recognize that many of these identities intersect and therefore, equity, diversity and inclusion can be complex.

We value and respect the contributions that each person brings to enriching the Board and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all in the communities that we serve.

Accessibility and Accommodation Statement

We also recognize the duty to accommodate and foster a culture of inclusion. Consistent with the principles of dignity, individualization and inclusion, we will make any appropriate accommodation based on any of the protected grounds in the Human Rights Code to support candidate participation in the hiring process.

When contacted, candidates will be provided with an overview of the various elements of the hiring process, such as skills assessments, written practicum, presentation, interview, etc.

If an accommodation is required, requests can be made in advance of any stage of the recruitment process. All information received relating to a candidate’s required accommodation will be addressed confidentially by the Recruitment and Retention Team.

Please make this request to [email protected] or a member of the Recruitment Team. If this position is a school based LTO / Contract Teaching position, please email the Principal directly to request the accommodation to be made at the school in collaboration with Human Resource Services, Disability Management Team.

Important Note for YRDSB Employees : If you have a current accommodation in place through Disability Management, please inform your Disability Management Case Manager to ensure that your accommodation needs can be met in the new role that you are pursuing.

If invited to participate in the hiring process, and you are unable to perform the essential / bona fide requirements (e.

g. physical, cognitive requirements), please notify the Recruitment Team by emailing [email protected] to review next steps (in the email please reference the job title you are applying to).

Important Information for CUPE 1734 Members :

LA.11.7 Those twelve (12) month employees filling vacancies as a result of their applying to a job posting are to remain twelve (12) months at their position.

Ten (10) month employees are to remain in their position until the end of the school year. This requirement can be waived with permission from the Superintendent responsible for Human Resource Services.

This does not prevent employees from applying for a position or from applying for a promotion during the twelve (12) month period.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to submit a current original Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) from the police jurisdiction in which they reside or an Enhanced Police Information Check (EPIC) through Sterling Backcheck prior to commencing employment with the Board.

The PVSC and EPIC documents are only valid if issued within the last six months. Candidates are not advised to obtain this document prior to an offer of employment.

Should you go through the EPIC process it is the candidates responsibility to download the results and provide a PDF copy to the Board upon instruction.

Should you go through the PVSC process, it is the candidates responsibility to provide the results to the Board upon instruction.

On-line applications are collected centrally at the Education Centre - Aurora and are monitored by Human Resource Services.

All applications will be screened based on the required education, experience and qualifications as noted in the posting and job description and as reflected in the application.

Only those candidates meeting these criteria will be eligible to participate in the selection process and only qualified candidates will be contacted.

The personnel file of all internal applicants will be reviewed as part of the selection process.