Office of Human Rights & Equity Services

Our Mission

Office of Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES) wants to make McMaster a university community where all students, staff and faculty can learn, work and live in equality and respect. To this end, HRES actively promotes an environment free from sexism, racism, heterosexism, discrimination against people with disabilities and all other forms of harassment and discrimination. In addition, our office receives enquires and complaints concerning any form of harassment or discrimination and attempts confidential resolution.  Human Rights & Equity Services ensures that the Sexual Harassment Policy, Anti-Discrimination Policy and Accessibility Policy are administered effectively and fairly.

@HRESMcMaster

Group page: Human Rights & Equity Services, McMaster University

 

Job Posting: Human Rights Specialist

Apply online at:
https://workingatmcmaster.hua.hrsmart.com/ats/js_job_details.php?reqid=6730

Human Rights Specialist - 6730

Open Date:        05/01/2012
Closing Date:     05/11/2012
Division:            Human Rights & Equity Services
Location:           Central Campus
Position Type:    The Management Group
Job Type:          Limited Term Appointment
Contract Duration (in months):   13
Hours per Week: 35 hours per week
Salary Grade/Band: H
Salary Range:    $43584 - $54480
Education:         Bachelor's Degree
Career Level:     Experienced (Non-Manager)

Job Description:
McMaster University is committed to building an inclusive and welcoming campus community. The Office of Human Rights and Equity Services (HRES) plays an important and dynamic role in achieving this goal by working in partnership with campus members to ensure that all service provision, employment and academic activities and initiatives strive to meet McMaster’s 3rd strategic goal of “building an inclusive community with a shared purpose”.

Committed to employment equity, McMaster University encourages applications from qualified candidates, including women, Indigenous/Aboriginal persons, members of racialized communities, LGBTQ-identified persons and persons with disabilities.

Applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact the University’s Human Resources Department. Upon request, Human Resources will work with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.


POSITION SUMMARY

The Office of Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES) is seeking an exceptional candidate to fill the role of Human Rights Specialist (HRS). Reporting to the Director, the HRS is charged with ensuring the fulfillment of HRES’s various projects, tasks, and responsibilities by providing expertise in the following areas:

• Office administration including reception duties, intake of complaints, information management, budget compliance and administrative support to other staff;

• Event management including planning and coordination; and,

• Communications to support HRES on the educational and complaints resolution mandates outlined in McMaster University’s Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Accessibility Policies.

These roles are fulfilled in cooperation with the other HRES team members. The Human Rights Specialist’s duties include:

• Promoting current human rights principles and practices in upholding McMaster University’s policies and compliance with human rights legislation;

• Providing a first point of contact for HRES, which includes front-line reception duties, conducting intake of consultations and complaints; assessing jurisdiction of complaints and scheduling appointments with HRES team members;

• Record-keeping and data compilation of contacts made with HRES;

• Providing overall office management including minute-taking at meetings, maintaining and updating financial/budget information, managing correspondence on behalf of HRES, purchasing office supplies and trouble-shooting technology-related issues;

• Providing support to the President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC) including minute-taking and distribution, budget support, meeting coordination and website maintenance.

• Assisting in the development of office operating procedures, policies and guidelines;

• Coordination of various HRES events, meetings, seminars, conferences, and other related activities;

• Assisting the HRES Program Coordinator in the development, coordination, publicity, and implementation of events;

• Producing, distributing and/or sourcing various communication, marketing, and information resources on behalf of HRES; brochure design and content development, drafting press releases, communiqués and other promotional materials;

• Developing, updating, and maintaining the HRES website, including web links to educational programs, and maintenance of online programming

• Updating, monitoring and distributing HRES activities and information on social networking sites (e.g. Twitter, Facebook)

• Other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:
Education/Knowledge:

• Degree in a related field (e.g. Communications, Public Relations, Social Work, Adult Education, Social Sciences, etc.).

• Project or event management training is a definite asset.

• General awareness of anti-oppression analysis and basic knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and other relevant human rights legislation.

 

Skills Required:
Experience/Skills:

• General understanding of and experience with human rights related issues along with sensitivity to and awareness of Aboriginal/Indigenous and disability-related issues and their intersection(s) with other identities including race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, etc.

• Office management experience with strong attention to detail and sound knowledge of office systems, coupled with superior problem-solving skills to ensure an organized office environment.

• Communications and event coordination experience (at least two (2) years), preferably in the area of human rights at a University or other diverse corporate or non-profit entity, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks, adapt to changing priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and capacity to manage sensitive and confidential correspondence and records.

• Demonstrated capacity to work independently in a team environment.

• Proven experience with website maintenance and online tools as well as excellent computer skills, including a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Publisher and Excel; Outlook and social networking tools).

• Proficient in MS Office software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software applications, as well as Internet research abilities.

• Prior experience with MacTRAC (or human resource systems), Citrix (or budgeting systems), and Oracle (or financial systems) an asset.

 

Other Considerations:

• Ability to work outside regular business hours on occasion and as required.