Office Employee Relations
Resume:
Karin M. Rodriguez
**** ***** **** ***** 703-***-**** (Cell)
Centreville, VA 20120 ****************@*****.***
Experience
Fairfax County Public Schools 44,000 employees (FTE, PT, volunteer)
Falls Church, VA 186,000 students
Specialist, Office of Equity and Employee Relations
September 2016 – Present
Overseeing and conducting investigations into violation of federal, state and local laws, as well as violations of FCPS polices and regulations. This includes but is not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, USERRA, Also conducting and reporting findings for high level investigations, including investigations of senior administration.
Providing advice and guidance to program managers on performance management for employees, which accounts for 16,000 of the workforce. Includes Performance Improvement Plans, Progressive Discipline (in line with regulations and State Code), Intervention Teams, Colleague Assistance Program, and other relevant performance and conduct issues.
Advising employees and managers on due process rights, and ensuring compliance with timelines for hearings, grievances, and other issues.
Providing annual training to principals and assistant principals regarding Title IX compliance requirements (300+). Additionally, providing ad hoc training on Title IX. Most recently presented to Falls Church City Schools, and served on Title IX Town Hall panel at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Overseeing and reviewing Title IX school-based investigations.
Overseeing the provision of employee accommodations for medical and religious purposes.
Ensuring Division-wide compliance with Title IX, including working with the Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education, on investigations, resolutions, and settlement agreements.
Providing written recommendations to the Fairfax County School Board for consideration and action.
Served as a liaison to federal agencies, including the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; the Office for Civil Rights, the Department of Education; the Department of Labor; the Department of Defense; the Virginia Department of Education; the Commonwealth of Virginia, and others, including required reports (EEO-5).
Responding to federal complaints and investigations, as well as enter into mediation, alternative dispute resolution, and voluntary settlement agreements with third party agencies.
Worked closely with Division Counsel and outside counsel on matters in litigation.
Ensuring compliance with state code regarding the revocation or cancellation of professional licensure of teachers.
Ensuring compliance with state code regarding the dismissal and nonrenewal of licensed teaching personnel.
Provide expert level guidance and support to principals, program managers, and other administration for over 200 schools, centers and locations; as well as for senior administration.
Develop and conduct Division-wide training on nondiscrimination, harassment, bullying, accommodations, Title IX, and other topics.
Administered the mediation program, for employment issues and workplace employee issues.
Senior Specialist/Coordinator, Office of Equity and Compliance (Position Eliminated)
March 2009 – September 2016
Conducted high level investigations for the Division, providing written findings and recommendations.
Provided complete oversight of the program providing religious and medical accommodations for employees.
Reviewed and provided feedback on specialists’ written reports and findings, providing general oversight and management.
Investigated and responded, on behalf of the Director, to charges filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; the Office for Civil Rights, the Department of Education; the Department of Labor; the Department of Justice; as well as participate in mediations and other early dispute resolution.
Administered the mediation program, for employment issues.
Conduct discrimination and harassment training for the Division.
Reviewed regulations and provided feedback to the Director.
Equity and Compliance Specialist II, Office of Equity and Compliance
April 2008- March 2009
Investigated complaints of discrimination and harassment.
Processed and provided reasonable accommodations for employees (religious and medical).
Investigated and responded, on behalf of the Director, to complaints filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education.
Provided mediation services for employment issues.
Conducted discrimination and harassment training.
Fairfax County Government Serving a population over 1 million
Fairfax, VA
Human Rights Specialist II, Human Rights Commission
February 2007 – April 2008
Investigated complaints of discrimination under the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other relevant statutes.
Presented findings to the Commission for review and endorsement.
Conducted mediations, as a means of early dispute resolution.
US Department of Justice Serving the United States
Washington, DC
Contractor/Equal Opportunity Specialist, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section
March 2005 – February 2007
Investigated complaints of discrimination under Title I, and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Prepared and negotiated settlement agreements.
Provided direct assistance to local governments.
Conducted large scale site visits and compliance reviews for local governments across the country, under Project Civic Access.
Received Certificate of Commendation from Assistant Attorney General Wan J. Kim, December 2005.
Education
Albany Law School Albany, NY
Juris Doctor May 2004
Concentration in Government Administration and Regulation, With Honors
Government Law Center Award
Marymount University Arlington, VA
Bachelor of Arts May 2001
Major: Politics
Minor: English
Politics Department Award, Highest Score on Senior Comprehensive Exam
Student Leader Award
Licenses
Virginia State Bar
Associate Member, VA Bar ID#68413 (Karin A. McArthur)
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