Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The UC Irvine Whistleblower Office is responsible for assessing and investigating complaints of improper governmental activities and assisting the University in maintaining a culture of respect and appropriate conduct amongst all staff. The work of the office requires the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality, both as it relates to attorney-client privilege and general confidentiality around personnel matters.
Your Role on the Team
The incumbent reports directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Equal Opportunity and Investigations, and provides high-level, professional support to the Locally Designated Official for UC Irvine for the University's Whistleblower Policy and other complaint processes. The incumbent is responsible for administrative coordination of the University's response to allegations of violations of policy and law, including intolerance (campus climate) reports.
The incumbent is responsible for intake of all complaints of improper governmental activity and whistleblower retaliation for the entire University enterprise, including the campus and UCI Health. The incumbent's primary role is assessing complaints to determine if they fall within the jurisdiction of the University's Whistleblower Policy. Duties include but are not limited to: receiving and assessing complaints made to the UC Irvine Whistleblower Office; conducting investigations, including interviewing parties to the complaint and relevant witnesses, reviewing documents and records, working with information technology staff to acquire data when necessary, and other investigatory methods; supporting the Assistant Vice Chancellor in reviewing reports; overseeing and assisting with investigations and reviews performed by other investigators, both internal and external; maintaining detailed and contemporaneous records of all reports and investigations; maintaining database system; producing thorough and complete reports of all information obtained during the investigations; coordinating monthly UCI Whistleblower meetings and briefings; keeping current on state and federal Whistleblower laws, regulations, UC Policy, industry best practices, and trends; presenting findings to management; tracking and managing case data and preparing reports.
What It Takes to be Successful
Total Compensation
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
The expected pay range for this recruitment is $104,900 - $127,000 (Annual).
Required:
Advanced knowledge of the ethics and compliance profession, theories and systems of internal control, and professional compliance and investigations standards.
Broad and thorough knowledge of University ethics and compliance policies, procedures and programs.
Is able to apply appropriate policies and practices in the completion of ethics and compliance assignments. Skills in critical decision making required.
Ability to extract, verify, compile and develop recommendations related to ethics and compliance programs, issues, policies and procedures.
In-depth abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking.
Thorough understanding of the interrelationship of procedures and desired results.
Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills to work independently with all levels of University personnel, including management and faculty, and to facilitate agreement on issues and corrective actions.
Ability to present complex issues in a clear and concise manner, both in writing and verbally for presentation or review by senior leadership. Exceptional writing skills. Demonstrated ability to write detailed, well organized, publishable analytical reports, procedures, correspondence, and/or memos. Ability to interact and communication with individuals from various cultural, social, economic and educational backgrounds.
Ability to utilize technology including computer and software for word processing, power point, presentation software, and online research.
Ability to work with sensitive data and preserve confidentiality, meet deadlines and maintain objectivity.
Ability to manage and maintain accurate and organized files.
Research skills, including internet and legal research.
Working knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations related to staff and academic employment, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), labor relations, and whistleblowers.
Working knowledge of University policies, practices, and procedures.
Interview and/or investigation skills.
Preferred:
Thorough knowledge of whistleblower and whistleblower retaliation laws.
Bilingual language skills.
General understanding of issues and principles of particular relevance to the public university setting, including privacy, academic freedom, discrimination, sexual harassment, conflict of interest, research misconduct, transparency in governance, and whistleblower protection.
Experience independently conducting employment or related investigations in a University setting, or public institution/organization. Preferred
Political acumen to work in an executive-level environment.
Experience working in higher education.
Professional certification(s) applicable to job responsibilities preferred.
Experience working with federal and state agencies
Experience using a case management system.
Experience performing investigations in a healthcare setting.
Special Conditions:
This position may be required to report at different work sites between the campus in Irvine and UCI Health locations. The incumbent must be able to provide their own means of transportation to/from work locations.
Conditions of Employment:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
Background Check and Live Scan
Employment Misconduct*
Legal Right to work in the United States
Vaccination Policies
Smoking and Tobacco Policy
Drug Free Environment
*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.
The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization
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Since 1965, the University of California, Irvine has combined the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location. UCI's unyielding commitment to rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and leadership and character development makes the campus a driving force for innovation and discovery that serves our local, national and global communities.