Chief Diversity Officer

Date: July 20, 2020
Title: Chief Diversity Officer

Description: Hartwick College is pleased to welcome applications for the inaugural role of the Chief Diversity Officer who will provide collaborative, strategic, and results-oriented leadership for institutional-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The CDO will champion the importance and value of a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment and will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The CDO will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet to help ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion remain integral to all dimensions of the College.

The CDO will have a successful, evidence based record of advancing strategies that demonstrate a commitment to promoting a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, staff and visitors. The CDO must have a deep understanding and passion for the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and demonstrate a willingness to be a leader, innovator, ambassador, and catalyst for change while working in a collaborative manner with others throughout the College.

Responsibilities will include:

• Develop and implement strategies and tactics that foster a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Ensure that diversity and inclusion initiatives are implemented in an integrated manner throughout the College and that these initiatives are regularly assessed
• Assess the College’s programs, policies, procedures and practices to identify gaps and barriers that limit progress in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Recommend to the Senior Leadership Team of the College changes in practice that will advance diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Research and recommend improvements to the bias response and intervention structure based on best practices and work with campus leaders to develop and facilitate efforts related to prevention, education, and intervention
• Develop a strategic plan for advancing diversity and inclusion that complements and strengthens the College’s current strategic direction
  • Define comprehensive definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion for use by all constituents at the College and lead efforts to encourage all members of the Hartwick community to develop an abiding respect for human differences
  • Monitor, provide operational oversight for, and measure the College’s progress toward meeting its diversity goals
  • Establish and maintain an internal audit, assessment, and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of College programs in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts with periodic reporting of progress to the President
  • Recommend, provide, and facilitate/deliver professional development on cultural competency, gender differences, disability, social justice, socioeconomics, and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of diversity, equity, and inclusion values
  • Work with campus committees, the Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and other College constituents to ensure commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the College’s mission, vision, and values
• Serve as an advocate, mentor, and resource in support of underrepresented students and employees
• Partner with other College leaders, students, employees and committees to ensure programming and initiatives support the College’s diversity values and goals
• Create a strong partnership with all members of the Senior Leadership Team to advance the recruitment, support for and retention of employees from diverse backgrounds
  • Work closely with and support the Provost and Faculty to advance the College’s efforts to recruit, support, and retain diverse faculty and offer a curriculum that reflects the values of diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to assess potential obstacles and develop strategies to recruit and retain a diverse workforce
• Lead and support highly visible educational and awareness events and activities throughout the year to develop and strengthen cultural competency
• Establish a partnership with Student Experience, campus departments, and students that
• Facilitate community-building and identify allies to support a safe, vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive campus climate for all students, faculty and staff both on campus and off campus
• In consultation with the Chief Human Resources Officer, the CDO will conduct investigations of discrimination claims in compliance with regulations and statutes
• Comply with all applicable College, federal, state, local and associational laws, rules and regulations
• Participate in significant campus activities, such as but not limited to; Welcome Weekend, True Blue Weekend, and Commencement Weekend
• As a representative of the College, comport oneself in a professional manner at all times, both on and off campus

Qualifications: Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience related to diversity, equity and inclusion. An advanced degree is preferred. The position requires experience in working collaboratively and effectively with various constituencies on strategies around inclusion, equity, and diversity. Must have experience with Title VII, ADA, and EEO/AA.

• Well-organized and self-directed individual who exhibits a high level of integrity that inspires trust and confidence
• Ability to respond with equanimity to crisis and highly sensitive situations
• Genuine desire, willingness and ability to work collaboratively
• Strong administrative ability to articulate and realize concrete measures for implementing the work of a strategic vision
• Knowledge of current diversity issues with a clear understanding of the importance of an inclusive and diverse environment in a comprehensive higher education or similar setting
• Evidence of success in promoting and advancing organizational diversity goals
• Ability to foster open transparent communications and proactively build positive relationships with faculty, staff, students, and diverse constituencies
• Well developed conflict resolution skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to conduct investigations of unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation
• Demonstrated understanding of federal, state and local laws, regulations, and guidelines related to civil rights and equal opportunity
• Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner to a variety of audiences

To apply for the Chief Diversity Officer position, please click here. All applicants are asked to submit the following materials with their online applications:

• A cover letter;
• A resume;
• A Diversity Statement that addresses how your past and/or potential contributions to diversity will support Hartwick College’s Diversity Statement (https://www.hartwick.edu/campus-life/intercultural-affairs/diversity-at-hartwick/); and
• The names and contact information for three references, with annotation regarding how the reference is related to you and your work (at least one of your references must be from a current and/or previous supervisor).

Applications may also be mailed to the Office of Human Resources, Hartwick College, P.O. Box 4020, Oneonta, NY 13820 or faxed to 607-431-4329. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.