Confidential Executive Officer - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Job Title: Confidential Executive Officer - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Job ID: 22278

Location: LaGuardia Community College

Full/Part Time:  Full-Time             

Regular/Temporar: Regular 

POSITION DETAILS

LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City, Queens, educates more than 50,000 New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs. Our guiding principle Dare To Do More reflects our belief in the transformative power of education—not just for individuals, but for our community and our country—creating pathways for achievement and safeguarding the middle class. LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all US college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education. We invite you to join us in imagining what our students, our community, and our country can become. Visit www.LaGuardia.edu to learn more.

The Executive Officer of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) will lead the college’s efforts to ensure a fully inclusive community in which all faculty, staff, and students feel welcomed, valued and respected, and no one is subject to prejudice, discrimination, bias, intolerance, or harassment.  Reporting to the President and serving in his Cabinet, the Executive Officer of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will play a critical role in LaGuardia’s Administration.  The Executive Officer will be a thought partner, responsible for driving conversations and initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion in partnership with all LAGCC constituents.

The Executive Officer will work closely with the college leadership and will provide guidance in an effort to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion at LaGuardia, and pursue the development of policies, procedures and practices – including staff development and training activities -- and communicate these efforts to the College community.  He/she/they will develop, implement, and assess programs and services to increase efforts, and to ensure that all members of the community feel that opportunities for career advancement and/or student success are never constrained by prejudice or bias of any type.

The Executive Officer will collaborate with the President's Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in developing a comprehensive social equity plan.  The plan will consider matters affecting teaching and learning, recruitment, selection, training, workplace relations, and daily operations of the college in order to ensure an inclusive climate. The plan will include strategies for the assessment of DEI initiatives leading to measurable improvements in the educational and organizational climate.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and lead a process to design the LaGuardia Community College Social Equity Plan
• Conduct research on DEI issues and concerns at LaGuardia and benchmark with CUNY and other institutions
• Coordinate the work of and facilitate communication among the various campus committees, councils, and organizations focused on DEI concerns and develop; facilitate workshops and seminars
• Develop and implement programs in collaboration with other college departments to support recruitment, retention, and promotion of diverse faculty and staff
• Recommend policy enhancements that remove barriers to student and employee success for historically marginalized and underserved populations at the college
• Coordinate the use of research tools such as campus climate surveys, demographic studies, benchmarking studies, etc. to measure success of equity and diversity efforts
• Evaluate DEI initiatives and activities, and ensure the comprehensive ongoing assessments of such initiatives
• Establish and maintain partnerships and relationships with campus and CUNY organizations to guide and support the building of new diversity strategies and programs at the college
• Identify and disseminate contemporary scholarship on best practices for the development of culturally responsive and inclusive curriculum and pedagogy
• In conjunction with HR and the CDO, develop, implement, and monitor recruitment and hiring strategies to attract and retain a diverse workforce
• Other responsibilities as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
• Candidates for the position should have relevant experience in and a personal commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Experience in higher education institutions or other large organizations with diverse workforces is preferred. 
• Excellent communication, organizational, research, and writing skills are essential 
• Experience in human resources, training, and professional development is also valuable
• Ability to handle confidential, sensitive situations with diplomacy and excellent judgment
• Proven ability to work with sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong organization, planning, analytical and problem resolution abilities with attention to detail
• Strong critical thinking, decision making, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collegially and effectively with a wide range of constituencies and diverse community, including faculty, staff, administrators, students and community partners. 

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

As a senior staff member serving as a confidential assistant in a Campus or University Executive's office, leads unit initiatives, participates in planning and setting priorities, and drives strategic initiatives to ensure their success.

- Participates in planning and in setting policies with responsibility for preparing aspects of strategic and operational plans

- Participates in developing and executing performance management systems to evaluate progress

- Works with other Campus and University units to oversee complex, high-priority projects, with responsibility for outcomes

- Represents the Executive in Campus or University-wide activities and may act in his/her place as needed

- Independently carries out major responsibilities under the Executive's purview, such as monitoring and evaluating unit activities, financial planning and review, serving as chair of key committees, and communications with senior Campus or University management

- May serve as Chief of Staff of a large Executive Office

- Performs related duties as assigned.

This position is excluded from union representation.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development.  We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off.  Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu,  access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title.  Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information. 

Candidates must attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information).

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled. Resume review may begin on March 26, 2021 

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply.  At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups.  Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.