Director of Diversity, Community, and Belonging
Job Description
The Director of Diversity, Community and Belonging will shape an institutional vision and compelling message of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging by creating aspirational goals, plans for institutional change, and assessment of initiatives among the University community. The Director will accomplish this by developing, planning, recommending and executing strategies to foster and achieve the University's diversity and inclusion goals with specific focus on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Provide strategic vision and leadership for University initiatives relating to creating community, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in a sustainable, strategic plan. Encourage University efforts to provide students with cross-cultural competencies and monitor issues where students, faculty or staff members may experience forms of discrimination or marginalization. Provide leadership with community partnership opportunities that will foster the University's environment for diversity and inclusion. Implement an institution-wide comprehensive education and training initiative to cultivate a campus climate of inclusion and respect for all students, faculty and staff. Facilitate workshops designed to address issues related to cultural competence. Collaborate with all cabinet officers to provide subject matter resources to University leadership. Plan and implement diversity seminars for students, staff and faculty. Serve as the subject-matter expert in bias awareness in recruitment, selection and other employment or academic decisions and work collaboratively with the Affirmative Action Compliance Program Manager to provide content for related educational programs, particularly as it relates to such conduct involving the LGBTQIA+ community. Develop proposals and working collaboratively with the Office of Human Resources Instructional and Training professionals to provide content for diversity sensitivity and cultural competence awareness publications and communications. Conduct Safe Zone training for students, faculty and staff. . Provide consultation and coaching to managers and supervisors to improve cross-cultural communication. Develop proposals and recommendations for institutional policy revisions that will facilitate the fostering of a diverse and inclusive community. Assist the President with monthly meetings of the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board for Diversity and Inclusion.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required. A minimum of 5 years experience working with the LGBTQIA+ population and other diverse groups to facilitate a sense of shared community and engagement among stakeholders. Demonstrated emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to manage conflict and build consensus across many systems, sectors, and a range of internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of theoretical models of diversity leadership, crisis management, organizational change management, and culturally relevant pedagogy, etc. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of intersectionality and its relevance in navigating relationships, conflict and engagement. General experience working with diverse communities to include many dimensions of diversity, to include but not limited to race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, tribal affiliation, religious affiliation, disability/ability status, and immigration status. Knowledge of and familiarity with diversity, equity, and immigration laws and policies. General knowledge of human resources. Ability to organize, evaluate and present information efficiently. Ability to interpret laws, rules, policies, and procedures relative to the work. Ability to work in collaboration with community partners, other state agencies, and several internal stakeholder groups, including Human Resources. Ability to perform research and critical analysis. Demonstrated experience in community engagement, particularly with the LGBTQ+; LGBTQIA+ terminology, history, policies and strategies to create a more inclusive campus.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's preferred in Counseling, Social Work, Human Resources and /or related areas.
Special Instruction to Applicants
- Letter of Interest (via cover letter)
- Current Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae
- Complete Commonwealth of Virginia State application
- Transcripts of Graduate Post-Graduate degrees (Unofficial transcripts accepted, however,
official transcripts are required for finalist)
Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Virginia State University only accepts applications for this position through the on-line state Recruitment Management System (RMS). Faxed, e-mailed, and mailed applications and/or attachments will not be accepted. The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume, or manually listed in the "Relevant Work History" section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested persons must attach a cover letter and a current resume/c.v to the online application. Official transcripts will be required at the time of employment.
The selected candidate will be subject to an extensive and complete background check, which may include fingerprinting. The candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest as a condition of employment, if applicable.
Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx , or call DARS at 800-552-5019.
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.
Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer
Position Number
FA613
Working Title
Director of Diversity, Community, and Belonging
Pay Band
UG
Salary Range
Commensurate with Education and Experience
Date Posted
02/17/2023
Closing Date
06/30/2023