Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Description

Columbia Basin College ('CBC' or the 'College') seeks a Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) to provide strategic leadership and support for the College’s efforts towards a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, programs and services that advance Columbia Basin College’s (“CBC” or the “College”) Mission, Vision and Values for the campus community.

Building upon the College’s Strategic Plan and status as a Hispanic Serving Institution, the Dean for DEI supports the development and implementation of the long-term vision and goals and works in close collaboration with students, employees, the DEI Committee and the leadership team to eliminate equity gaps and to shape, promote and sustain an environment where all employees and students experience a sense of belonging. Serve as the President’s and Cabinet’s Liaison to and co-chair of the college-wide DEI Committee.

The Dean for DEI will be a leader, advisor, catalyst for change, and institutional resource focused on infusing DEI into all programs and activities, tracking progress toward these goals, and communicating progress to an engaged community. As a member of CBC’s Cabinet, the Dean will serve as a strategic thought partner and advisor with the President and other Cabinet members. This position reports to the College President.

This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by October 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.


Primary Responsibilities

• As a member of the President’s Cabinet, guide and advise the College President and leadership team on diversity, equity, and inclusion matters;
• Work collaboratively with campus to ensure our DEI work builds and strengthens CBC’s identity as a Hispanic Serving Institution;
• Support the College in the development and implementation of ongoing strategic plans designed to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus;
• Provide leadership and support to the College's DEI Committee;
• Collaborate with student-centered teams and work groups in the creation of programs, policies, and processes that support a sense of belonging for all students and improve the recruitment, retention and successful completion of systemically non-dominant student populations;
• In partnership with employees and students, lead and support the creation of a professional development program for the College that supports the acquisition of a common foundation of equity consciousness and a shared language and analysis of systemic racism with the purpose of eliminating structural racism against all races, promote diversity, equity and inclusion and improve academic, social, and health and wellness outcomes for students from historically marginalized communities; (SB5227)
• Lead the administration of a campus climate survey on a regular and consistent basis and the completion of annual listening and feedback sessions on DEI for the entire campus community; (SB5227)
• Work with campus to help identify and address root causes of inequities including policies, practices, attitudes and cultural messages that reinforce differential outcomes by race or non-native English or fail to eliminate them;
• Collaborate on and assist in the development of systems of accountability for reaching diversity and equity goals and objectives;
• Collaborate with Institutional Research to design metrics and associated assessment tools to track and monitor diversity and inclusion efforts; help to establish assessment cycles to regularly measure the effectiveness of diversity and equity efforts;
• Serve as a resource and consultant for faculty and the Teaching & Learning Center for Excellence to support the development of inclusive classrooms;
• Promote the College's commitment to DEI through partnerships with individuals and agencies inside and outside the College including the Board, students, faculty, staff, the public, community leaders from various cultural groups, civic and community organizations, K-12 and other educational partners within higher education; and
• Participate in College and system organizational development activities including service on college or system committees or involvement in other initiatives as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university;
• Five (5) years of demonstrated leadership, contribution and background in diversity, equity and inclusion working in community colleges and/or Higher Education; and
• Expert ability to work with dynamic and diverse groups of faculty, staff and students and commitment to a culturally diverse environment.

COMPETENCIES:
Participatory Management : Provide opportunity for assigned staff to participate in management decision-making when and where appropriate. Consistently seek out appropriate information and input that ensure stakeholders perspective is considered;

Approachability : Willing to take immediate time to actively listen to others. Considered “accessible” or can be depended upon to be available when needed. Responsive;

Change Management : Initiate and/or manage the change process and energize it on an ongoing basis, taking steps to remove barriers or accelerate its pace;

Visionary Leadership : Create a clear, compelling vision. Communicate vision and gain commitment. Act in accordance with vision. Display passion and optimism. Mobilize others to fulfill the vision. Lead through influence, rather than authority, and take ownership and accountability for the area of responsibility and decisions made. Demonstrate confidence within area of expertise – promote a cooperative work environment. Ability to appropriately apply leadership techniques to motivate, develop and guide employees;

Oral & Written Communication : Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations. Listen and get clarification. Respond well to questions. Demonstrate group presentation skills. Participate in meetings. Structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents. Review and edit written work constructively. Ability to tailor to audience in mind. Ability to display diplomacy and tact in all communication;

Student Centered : Attention, interest, activities and efforts are centered upon the best interest of students. Create and support an environment that enables learners to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals. Provide courteous and helpful responses to all customers, whether they be students, general public or employees from another department;

Support for Diversity : Support initiatives of the district, colleges and divisions to expand the human qualities that differentiate our workforce and workplace. Exemplify tenants of tolerance, acceptance and interest in different viewpoints, cultures, and backgrounds and demand similar conduct of assigned staff and department;

Accountability : Accountable for own actions, decisions, errors, mistakes and/or failures to act when appropriate. Accept responsibility when given, understand what duties employee is responsible for and can be counted upon to carry out those responsibilities; and

Teamwork : Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism, and to cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors. Demonstrate alignment with the 'Yes And' culture, (e.g., being present and listening, making each other look good, embracing change and failure and choosing positivity).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a twelve (12) month per year, full-time, overtime exempt position with general work hours of Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, work hours may vary due to work demands and some evening work as required.

PROCESS NOTE:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Columbia Basin College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.

If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.

Columbia Basin College operates under an approved affirmative action plan and encourages applications from persons of color, women, veterans and persons of disability. The Human Resources Office is accessible to those with disabilities. If you need accommodation in application or employment, contact the Human Resources Office at (509) 542-4740.

OTHER JOB ELEMENTS:


The working conditions listed below represent those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.

Work environment includes office and other settings as appropriate. It is a fast paced and sometimes stressful services environment. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.