Dean of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - SFCC

SALARY: $93,797.00 Annually
OPENING DATE: 12/06/21   CLOSING DATE: 01/21/22 04:00 PM  

DESCRIPTION:

Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) District Equity Statement 
CCS believes that access to high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment is the right of all individuals and imperative for the continued advancement of a strong democracy and workforce. We also believe higher education institutions have an obligation to work toward and demonstrate progress in ensuring equity amongst their students, faculty, and staff. Equity is grounded in the principle of fairness. In higher education, equity refers to ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful through the intentional design of the college experience.

Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) is a beautiful campus located in the inland Pacific Northwest, on the ancestral home of the Spokane Tribe, near the Spokane River. Our campus is not far from the urban center of Spokane, a mid-sized city with a high quality of life and quick access to the outdoors. More information about living and working in Spokane available at:
 https://greaterspokane.org/relocation-guide
 https://www.spokaneteachinghealth.org/life-in-spokane/
 
 SFCC is one of two accredited community colleges that comprise the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS). In addition to serving the urban and suburban population in greater Spokane, including students from Fairchild Airforce Base, CCS provides educational services to rural communities throughout our 12,302 square-mile region in Eastern Washington, including students from the Spokane and other Eastern Washington tribes.  
 
Serving about 8,200 students, SFCC endeavors to be an educational leader and a responsive partner with the community and region to provide access to relevant programs of the highest quality. We offer a large liberal arts/transfer program (approximately 75% of total enrollment) as well as state-of-the-art professional technical programs (about 25%). As reflected in our mission statement, we strive to “embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster global awareness” at every level of our college.

Please be aware that this recruitment closes at 4:00 p.m. PST. The application process will not be available after this time. To ensure consideration make sure your application is completed and submitted as soon as possible. Applications will only be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. on the closing date.
 
The Community Colleges of Spokane is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the President's Office. 

GENERAL DEFINITION
The Dean of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) provides college-wide leadership, direction, and support regarding the development, implementation, and sustainability of Spokane Falls Community College’s (SFCC) equity and inclusion goals, which are the heart of our Guided Pathways work. This means examining, recommending, and leading changes to college-wide practices, policies, procedures, services, curricular and co-curricular activities.
Reporting to the SFCC President, this dean will serve as a catalyst to ensure access to education and success for all students, especially students of color, low-income students, and other historically underrepresented student populations, and to ensure an equitable and inclusive environment for both students and employees.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Leadership 

• Provide vision, leadership, and coordination to create an institution-wide framework to ensure equity, inclusion, and respect for all students, faculty, and staff. * 
  • Develop, implement, and oversee a college-wide Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) plan, working in coordination with the Governance Council and Diversity, Equity & Global Awareness (DEGA). 
  • Lead and oversee equity-minded practices and training within Guided Pathways Teams.
  • Lead campus-wide strategic efforts, in partnership with the Vice President of Learning and Vice President of Student Affairs, to close opportunity gaps for all students, especially students of color, low-income students, and other historically underrepresented student populations. 

Professional Development and Campus Climate 

• Partner with stakeholders across the college to build meaningful experiences to foster knowledge, awareness, skills, and accountability in staff, faculty, and leaders to maintain a high standard of inclusion, equity, and belonging on campus. *
  • Direct and guide on-going professional development of the Search Advocate program to ensure equity in recruitment and hiring. Work with Human Resources to develop recruitment strategies that attract underrepresented candidates.  
  • Create and implement EDI programming and professional development, in collaboration with the Director for the Center of Engaged Teaching and Learning. 
  • Coordinate with Student Funded Programs on EDI programming for students and to sponsor EDI events (speaker events, workshops, etc.). 
  • Supervise personnel of the MOSAIC and LGBTQ+ Centers.
  • Collaborate with Dean of Student Support Services on Bias incident reports and referrals.

Community Connections

• Partner with the President and other college employees in outreach to the individuals, communities, and organizations the College serves to build relationships, strengthen connections, and meet their needs. *
• Represent SFCC at appropriate regional, state, and national EDI organizations and conferences. *

Administrative

• Participate in and advise the College’s recruitment and retention of underrepresented student groups. *
• Work in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research to gather, research, and analyze data to ensure we are meeting our EDI goals. *
• Research and share EDI student success related efforts, trends, innovations, and data to relevant stakeholders to assess and inform strategic plan goals. *
• Assist with budget development and manage the EDI budgets. *
• Assist in identifying and preparing grant proposals that support equity and inclusion efforts at the College. *
• Supervise professional exempt, classified and part-time employees (train, schedule, evaluate, discipline and respond to grievances). Adhere to classified contracts and all district rules and regulations ensuring efficient operations. *
• Inform and educate staff about behavior and performance expectations, provide timely and accurate feedback regarding performance, and ensure performance and behavioral problems are corrected promptly and effectively. *
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions. *
• Complies with district policy, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statute and collective bargaining agreements. *
• Support and advance the SFCC and CCS strategic plan, and perform other duties as assigned. *

* Indicates this is an essential duty.  

COMPETENCIES & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS)

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Commitment to equity and to the community college mission.
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership skills: the ability to work with multiple stakeholders to advance institutional equity goals, often complicated by competing perspectives or interests.
• Knowledge of challenges and barriers faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) groups and best practices for institutional change.
• Ability to design and implement professional development to address EDI goals, including curriculum, hiring practices, and campus culture.
• Ability to manage complex projects to completion. 
• Experience using computers and spreadsheets, database and word processing software.
• Acceptance of the responsibility to promote the welfare and best interests of students at all times.
• A demonstrable understanding and acceptance of the mission, values, goals and objectives of CCS.
• The ability to perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and goals of the institution, and community and technical college system.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting a teaching, learning and working environment that honors diversity, equity and inclusion.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES (DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS)
The following are not required for application, but may enhance a candidate’s success:

• Doctorate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Relevant college coursework in disciplines related to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Experience as an effective leader in a culture of shared governance.
• Experience with EDI work.
• Experience or familiarity with higher education culture, including community college.
• Analytical skills and ability to provide oversight for assessments related to campus climate, diversity and inclusion.
• Supervisory skills and/or experience.
• Knowledge of tracking and maintaining budgets.

 

CONDITIONS/TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

TOTAL COMPENSATION:  $120,839 - $125,415.
 Total compensation is an estimate based upon adding the following amounts together:

• Base compensation, plus
• Current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates, plus
• Median retirement fund contributions. 

The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H1-B visa. In addition, the Community Colleges of Spokane maintains a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.  

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. Once an applicant is chosen for an interview, they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), state employees must be fully vaccinated. For anyone starting employment after October 18, 2021, your vaccine status will be verified at New Hire Intake. Please reach out to Reggie.Eans@ccs.spokane.edu if you need information on a medical accommodation or Grace.Leaf@ccs.spokane.edu if you need information on a religious exemption.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in a normal, temperature-controlled office environment.
• Work is sedentary in nature.
• Frequent use of computer and exposure to terminal screens.
• Visual focus and strain.
• Work directly with students/clients.
• Work involves constant interruptions and requirement to answer on demand questions by phone, in person, or electronically.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Frequent oral and auditory communication with others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Contract 12-month position.
• Position is exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Requires local or regional travel. If using personal vehicle proof of driver's license and car insurance required.
• Criminal background check required.

 

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• CCS online application.
• Cover letter addressing your qualifications as applied to the responsibilities of this position. *
• Comprehensive resume. *
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.*
• College transcript(s) if applicable - unofficial/copies of transcripts are acceptable for initial application, official copies must be submitted upon acceptance of job offer.

NOTE:  All of the above are required to ensure your consideration for this position.  The item(s) marked with an asterisk are required attachments to your application prior to submission. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact HR at CCS.recruiter@ccs.spokane.edu
 
Community Colleges of Spokane does not discriminate in its programs, activities and employment on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parental status or families with children, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, honorably discharged veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with disability, genetic information or any other legally protected category.  Please direct all inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity and/or grievances to the Chief Administration Officer, Community Colleges of Spokane, 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd., PO Box 6000, MS 1004, Spokane WA 99217-6000 or call 509-434-5037; WA Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1.
 
Native Land Acknowledgement
We are honored to acknowledge that the Community Colleges of Spokane, and our main campuses for Spokane Falls and Spokane Community College, are located on the traditional and sacred homelands of the Spokane Tribe. We also provide services in a region that includes the traditional and sacred homelands of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Kalispel Tribe. The CCS Pullman Center operates on the WSU campus and is located on the ancestral homelands of the Palus people and on the ceded lands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe.

We pay our respect to tribal elders both past and present as well as to all indigenous people today. This land holds their cultural DNA and we are honored and grateful to be here on their traditional lands. We give thanks to the legacy of the original people and their descendants and pledge to honor their stewardship and values.