Under the direction of the College President, the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives which will support the College's strategic plan. The CDO is a senior-level management position reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President's Cabinet. The individual will lead the development of a vision and effective strategy that champions the importance and value of a diverse and inclusive college environment. 

The successful candidate will provide leadership in promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion through helping to create campus-wide policies and procedures. The candidate will improve minority student recruitment, retention, and success strategies as well as those of faculty, staff and administrators. The candidate will serve as a resource to assist with issues related to pedagogy, scholarly activity, civic and community engagement and classroom climate. The candidate will design training initiatives on cultural competency, gender differences, disability, sexual harassment, and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws. In addition, the candidate will collaborate with SUNY Administration and SUNY Dutchess Community College’s Diversity Council to ensure compliance with SUNY's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Policy.

This individual will also manage the College's Workforce Analysis and lead and oversee compliance with Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other applicable requirements, including serving as the College's Title IX Coordinator.

DUTIES AND RESPONS IBILITIES:

 

Executive Level Leadership:

• Executive lead for planning, directing, implementing, evaluating and updating college diversity and inclusion efforts for the purpose of creating and nurturing a diverse and inclusive college culture. Collaborate with all campus offices and departments to address equity gaps in student success. Serve as a member of the executive team and reports to the President.
• Serve as a College spokesperson for issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.
• Identify, propose and implement best practices that achieve meaningful access, equity, diversity and compliance outcomes and results. This includes identifying and addressing barriers to the development of strategies, implementation, outcomes and results.
• Create and propose college wide policies and procedures that promote equity and inclusivity.
• Advise the President of potential problem areas related to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice that includes best practices, hiring trends, promotional opportunities, training, salary, attrition/retention, employee attitudes, campus climate, counseling and community relations. Provide strategies that can be implemented to address concerns related to this area of responsibility.

 

Planning:

• Plan, provide and coordinate communication outreach efforts to campus and external communities.
• Lead, manage, supervise and facilitate completion of diversity initiatives consistent with our strategic and diversity plans.
• Create an annual office plan consistent and in alignment with institutional goals. This should be a proactive plan that addresses processes, programs and personnel required to respond to internal and external variables that impact our students and employees.
• Work collaboratively with the Human Resources Department to develop strategies to attract diverse pools, review and sign off on all job descriptions, provide equity training for all hiring committees, and ensure a fair and transparent hiring process.
• Leverage staff and resources to develop an institutional research framework to assess equity and inclusion. This includes the development of an implementation plan to support the work of all campus committees and initiatives. Provide leadership for the implementation of measurable interventions with the ultimate goal of improving the colleges' climate for employees, students and the communities we educate.
• Evaluate and refine the equity oriented programs and initiatives, and provide leadership, counsel, information and advocacy for all divisions to achieve defined goals and then measure success in increasing inclusive excellence to ensure educational and employment equity.
• Prepare an annual report and annual plan addressing current and future diversity and inclusion initiatives for the president and Board of Trustees. Complete other required annual external College reports.

 

Campus Involvement/ Campus Climate:

• Chair the Diversity Council and ensure the goals align with the College's strategic plan.
• Work with the Federal Compliance Officer, analyze and share trends as related to EEO, affirmative action and diversity.
• Coordinate the development, implementation and regular revision of a campus climate survey. Develop a plan, administer, analyze and share research results. Recommend action steps and strategies.
• Conduct research to ensure alignment and effective advocacy for all underrepresented groups including but not limited to, students of color, disabled students, LGBTQ, immigrant and faith based student groups to ensure alignment with our strategic plan.
• Work with the Curriculum Committee and other academic committees to provide pedagogical strategies infusing equity and diversity throughout our curriculum.
• Collaborate with Support Services and student organizations to ensure comprehensive diversity and inclusion programming.
• Develop a proactive crisis response plan that can be immediately implemented in response to threatening internal and external variables.
• Oversee the development and execution of inclusive excellence training programs to assist managers in understanding the differences among people and provide direction that maximize the contributions of all employees.
• Collaborate with Human Resources Department, Federal Compliance Manager and Office of Institutional Professional Development to develop and coordinate a robust professional development program for the college community.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree; doctorate preferred in appropriate field.

• Teaching experience preferred

• Track record for success as an advocate for inclusion and equity in a higher education setting.
• Proven record of success in leading institution-wide diversity initiatives.
• Proven expertise in assessment of student learning outcomes, strategic and operational planning, professional employee development and budgeting.
• Active member of related local, state and national organizations.
• Excellent communication skills.

 

Review of applications will begin on 11/27/17 and will continue until the position is filled.  Please submit a cover letter and updated Resume / CV.

 

To apply, go to www.sunydutchess.edu/employment

 

Dutchess Community College is committed to the principle of diversity and encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, the disabled and all others (AA/EOE).