Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights

Job Description:

Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights

Description

Are you passionate about civil rights and ready to build upon a strong foundation to drive meaningful change? The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights to lead and further develop a recently established structure supporting 22 universities within the nation’s most diverse public university system. This is a unique opportunity to shape systemwide initiatives, enhance compliance and equity efforts, and ensure a culture of fairness, accountability, and inclusion across the CSU.

Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking strategic, proficient, collaborative and experienced candidates for the position of Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, the AVC leads a highly skilled team that provides centralized strategic planning, oversight, support, and resources to the CSU’s university-level Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (DHR) offices.

The CSU’s vision for civil rights is to foster and sustain a welcoming and nurturing campus environment where all community members are safe, supported, and empowered. We accomplish this through ensuring that our processes are not only fair, effective, and thorough, but also honor the humanity of all those involved.

Salary

The anticipated salary range is $240,000 - $294,924 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Arrangements

The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse higher education system.

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.

Premium Benefits

Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Generous vacation plan

15 paid holidays a year

Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)

Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

More details here: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Classification

Administrator IV

Position Information

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights is responsible for leading a team that provides centralized strategic planning, oversight, support, and resources to the CSU’s university-level Title IX and other civil rights offices. The AVC will also oversee a team that is responsible for CSU’s compliance with laws and policies governing Equal Employment Opportunities and whistleblower (including whistleblower retaliation) complaints including responding to complaints that are investigated by the Chancellor’s Office and providing support, guidance and oversight to appropriate administrators at the CSU’s 22 universities.

This position is approved for telecommuting (two days telecommuting, three days in office (in-person)) with onsite work at the main headquarters located in Long Beach, California.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strengthen Systemwide Civil Rights Operations
  Build upon an established framework to ensure humanity-centered policies and practices, and oversight for campus Civil Rights offices, including case management, training, prevention, and data analysis.
• Provide Strategic Leadership & Best Practices
  Shape and communicate a systemwide civil rights vision that strengthens CSU oversight, fosters shared governance, and supports collaboration with university presidents and other senior leaders, the Academic Senate, and the Board of Trustees. Collaborate with CSU’s Office of General Counsel to align systemwide policies with federal and state legal requirements, integrating best practices in equity and compliance.
• Support & Develop Systemwide Civil Rights Professionals
  Lead a team of senior directors and specialists, providing expertise and oversight for Title IX, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR), and whistleblower programs while ensuring effective campus-level implementation.
• Support the CSU Mission
  Lead humanity-centered civil rights and whistleblower compliance efforts that uphold federal and California laws while fostering a caring, inclusive culture grounded in fairness, free speech, and academic freedom.
• Advance Education, Prevention & Reporting
  Direct systemwide training, prevention initiatives, and campus climate assessments, and represent CSU to state and federal agencies, media, and stakeholders through reports and public engagement.
• Lead Systemwide Compliance & Oversight
  Oversee and enhance CSU’s compliance with Title IX, nondiscrimination, and whistleblower laws, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment across 22 universities.
• Oversee Investigations & Risk Management
  Ensure effective response and resolution of systemwide whistleblower and civil rights matters, proactively identifying areas of risk and providing strategic guidance to prevent compliance issues.

Qualifications

This position requires:

Education/Experience:

• Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• Minimum of 10 years of related experience, including extensive experience and knowledge in Title IX, equity, equal opportunity, and civil rights compliance and programming, including education, prevention, training, policy and practice development and administration, supportive measures, accommodations, investigations, and resolutions related to discrimination and harassment.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing compliance requirements through the lens of care and respect.
• Demonstrated experience in interacting effectively with members of the community from diverse backgrounds.
• Extensive experience leading, supervising, and mentoring a team of professionals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or other doctoral degree.
• Experience in a higher education, judicial, or regulatory compliance setting highly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Leadership & Strategy - Proven ability to set strategic direction, develop policies, and lead systemwide initiatives in civil rights, Title IX, and compliance.
• Legal & Compliance Expertise - Extensive knowledge of federal and California civil rights laws, including Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, Clery Act, VAWA, and FERPA.
• Collaboration & Influence - Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with executive leadership, legal teams, campus administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Team Management - Experience leading and supervising multidisciplinary teams, including regional directors, Title IX Coordinators, and investigators.
• Communication & Advocacy - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to train, present, and engage with diverse audiences at all levels.
• Problem-Solving & Risk Management - Ability to assess and mitigate risk, oversee investigations, and implement solutions that align with compliance best practices.
• Judgment & Integrity - Sound decision-making skills with the ability to exercise independent judgment, uphold confidentiality, and maintain objectivity.
• Data-Analytics & Trend Analysis - Demonstrated ability to use data and analytics to identify patterns, trends, and systemic issues in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and to apply insights to strengthen prevention strategies, compliance efforts, and institutional response.
• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion - Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities and foster an inclusive, equity-driven culture.
• Flexibility & Travel - Ability to travel throughout California and work outside of normal business hours when needed.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expertise in higher education civil rights compliance, including Title IX, discrimination law, and case management systems.
• Experience in professional development and training on civil rights and investigations.
• Knowledge of data-driven assessment practices, including preparing annual reports, campus climate surveys, and compliance reporting.
• Familiarity with CSU’s mission and vision, and experience in a higher education, government compliance, or other highly visible regulatory setting.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by April 3, 2026. The position will remain open and applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed or the position has been filled.

How To Apply

DSG Global Executive Search Firm is assisting the California State University, Office of the Chancellor for this search. In order to be considered for this opportunity, applicants must apply using the website at https://www.dsgco.com/search/22815-cal-state-avc-civil-rights/ .

Please submit a compelling cover letter addressing the position’s strategic objectives and the desired attributes identified in this profile and a curriculum vitae/resume.

In addition, please direct any questions or inquiries to DSG Global Executive Search Firm:

Laurie Casteen, Managing Associate

Telephone: (434) 202-6892

Email: [email protected]

Beth Schaefer

Telephone: (781) 799-6645

Email: [email protected]

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy , it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

Advertised: Feb 06 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: