DESCRIPTION

The Biological Sciences Director of Diversity Initiatives (BDDI) provides leadership, strategic planning, and counsel to the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences. The BDDI is a cabinet-level member of the Dean’s Office and serves as a key strategist and subject matter expert in all EDI related matters. The BDDI’s portfolio includes faculty, staff, and student EDI and climate improvement; mediation and conflict resolution; and consultation.

The BDDI provides consultations, as needed, to the Dean’s cabinet and committees on the planning and implementation of School and departmental strategic plans that will foster institutional awareness of, and commitment to, faculty equity, diversity, and inclusion goals, including gender equity, pay equity, and equal opportunity for all qualified candidates for appointment and promotion. This position requires a high level of cultural awareness, tact, and diplomacy to effectively advise a diverse clientele on complex and/or particularly sensitive matters.

The Director acts as liaison and maintains communication and collaboration with relevant partners (the Dean’s cabinet, the School FEA, and relevant committees, including the EDI Committee, Graduate Committee, Recruitment Committee, and the Admissions Committee). The BDDI is an ex officio member of the School EDI Committee. The BDDI is the primary EDI contact for students, staff, and faculty and provides consultation and resources, as needed, and triages when appropriate.

The BDDI is an EDI subject matter expert who uses advanced operational concepts to resolve highly complex issues. The Director regularly works on issues that require an in-depth evaluation of variable factors and develops and oversees processes, new programs, and helps to support existing programs that improve School climate and EDI. The Director will provide complex and often sensitive evaluations needed to direct EDI strategic planning for the School, informs policy recommendations, and writes reports, policy briefs, and other original documents.

Utilizing the Principles of Community, the Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence, and the mission and vision of the School of Biological Sciences as guiding principles, the Director will help develop, implement, and support new and existing EDI programs and evaluate their efficacy. To this end, the Director will use skills of a seasoned EDI professional to resolve a wide range of programmatic issues and quantitatively assess program needs and outcomes. The Director therefore sets clear goals and implements metrics to evaluate the success of EDI strategies and initiatives, evaluating effectiveness efforts, improving existing processes, and researching new best practices and approaches.

The Director develops and conducts EDI training sessions for faculty, staff, and students and demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for delivering these training programs and assessing their success.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion and accessibility programs and applies it to the completion of diverse diversity, equity and inclusion assignments. Advanced EDI subject matter expertise and understanding of the unique challenges and concerns of underrepresented groups (e.g. including implicit bias), knowledge of diversity and social justice issues including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious, and class background, best practices for creating inclusive environments, and best practices for diverse recruitment. Thorough knowledge of functional area and understands how work may impact other areas.

• Demonstrates advanced judgment and technical experience in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions and developing recommendations. Advanced analytical / problem-solving skills. Demonstrated experience and ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to independently identify and research issues. Thorough analytical skills to conduct EDI analyses and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills. Ability to analyze programs, information, situations, problems, policies, and procedures to: (1) define problems accurately, (2) separate problems from symptoms, (3) identify potential solutions, (4) select appropriate solutions for application, (5) formulate logical and objective conclusions from situations, data, and observations, and (6) write evaluation reports.

• Demonstrates advanced level of political and organizational acumen. Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment, tact, diplomacy, and discretion in handling a variety of complex and highly confidential matters; ability to exercise discretion, and resourcefulness in interacting with a diverse group of populations, including faculty, high level administrators, researchers, staff and students.

• Has in-depth knowledge of organizational policies and procedures; knowledge of functional area and understands how work may impact other areas. Advanced ability to compile and analyze complex information, policies, procedures, and to formulate logical objective conclusions and recommendations and to develop and implement effective solutions.

• Possesses advanced level skills required to gather, organize and perform analyses on diverse diversity, equity and inclusion / accesibility programs and initiatives. Presents findings and makes recommendations that are significant to a department or unit, both verbally and in writing.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff. Ability to influence, both verbally and in writing. Advanced interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills. Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely communicate ideas, thoughts, complex problems, policies and position statements and ability to be open to questioning of decision-making and exhibit openness to alternatives without displaying defensive behavior and while considering differences in social, cultural, professional, and educational backgrounds.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact tactfully and diplomatically, yet assertively, with all segments of the campus and community; ability to use appropriate vocabulary and skill in resolving conflict situations and in recognizing politically sensitive situations.

• Years of progressive experience in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and five years of progressive experience in developing and delivering evidence-based training for students and/or all levels in higher education.

• Experience and demonstrated ability to design, develop, and deliver effective trainings. In-depth knowledge of diversity issues and strategies used to address them. Demonstrated ability to facilitate conversations and learning across a wide range of diversity-related topics. Demonstrated ability to assess effectiveness of trainings.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.