Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Director

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director 

Kirby School, a highly respected 6th through 12th grade independent college preparatory school in Santa Cruz, is seeking a full-time Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director.  The DEI Director at Kirby drives incremental cultural change towards the development of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive learning environment. The DEI Director will lead Kirby to distinguish itself as an anti-biased, anti-racist institution.  The DEI Director is a bold and savvy leader who aims high and has the day-to-day care, creativity, and fortitude to steer an organization through complex change. 

Position Summary

The Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will strengthen connections across all efforts related to identity and belonging, including faculty recruitment, development and retention; student recruitment and retention; curriculum and instructional practices; and student life.  The director will promote the school’s commitment to DEI by providing leadership to individuals and community engagement teams, establishing protocols for measurement and accountability, and supporting affinity spaces for students, parents, faculty and staff. The director is a member of the senior leadership team. 

Key responsibilities and tasks include:

• Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Community (Students, Faculty, Staff)
• Anti-Racism and General Anti-Bias Programs
• Faculty Leadership
• Community Leadership & Cultural Development
• Communications
• Networking and Continued Professional Development

The DEI Director will be supported by:

• The administration and Board of Trustees
• An allocation of the professional development budget and operational budget
• A committee of staff who are responsible for supporting the DEI work under the direction of the DEI Director
• Volunteer parents and the Diversity Committee of the Board

Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks

Strategic Planning:

• Lead in developing the DEI components of the Strategic Plan, which should dove-tail with the school’s Mission Statement and Long-Range Plan and align with priorities of the Anti-Racism Taskforce
• Devise metrics to measure the success of DEI goals
• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement
• Will maintain direct contact with the student BIPOC population to gather information in an ongoing way about their experience
• Through surveys and outreach, ensure that the goals and metrics in the DEI goals 

represent the input of all constituencies that comprise the Kirby Community

• Lead education and activities to challenge all community members to extend their ability to listen, self-reflect, respond to new information and change behaviors 
• Translate day-to-day challenges encountered into recommendations for new initiatives, objectives and goals

Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Community:

• In collaboration with the Head of School and department heads, improve effectiveness and success in recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff
• Work with the Admissions Office to recruit, and welcome students from diverse backgrounds
• Work with the Deans to retain students from diverse backgrounds
• Work with the mentoring program to support families of color
• Act as a liaison between the school and local communities of color; lead Kirby efforts to better serve and market to communities of color

Anti-Racism and General Anti-Bias:

• Lead the Kirby community to address  systemic and behavioral racism within the Kirby institution and community
• Unearth and address how white supremacy and other aspects of dominant culture operate in ways we have normalized
• Respond to diversity, equity and inclusion related issues among community members as they arise
• Extend general anti-bias efforts
• Promote best practices with respect to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion

Faculty Leadership:

• Develop measurement and hold faculty accountable for inclusive and equitable design with respect to:
  • Curriculum development
  • Assessment
  • Instruction
  • Classroom management
• Bring to the faculty’s attention when the educational outcomes are not equal among student populations and support improvement

Community Leadership & Cultural Development:

• Develop the trust and rapport necessary to work with students, faculty, staff, and parents to support the disclosure, discussion and management of complex problems
• Develop strong relationships with and advise various DEI-related groups in the school 
• Support student leadership of DEI focused organizations, initiatives, and activities 
• Advise on elements of Kirby culture and student life to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion is paramount in student life
• Develop and lead Kirby Community training and workshops/field-days in order that all feel comfortable, welcome, included and equal
• Plan and develop DEI-focused education, programs, and events for all community groups
• Lead or coordinate affinity groups for students, parents, and staff
• Plan and develop professional development programming for faculty and staff
• Lead teams of faculty, staff, administration, parents and trustees to attend outside professional development
• Lead teams of student-leaders to attend outside development activities and conferences

Communications:

• Provide regular educational content for the Kirby community to continuously increase awareness of history and current events pertinent to diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Write broadcast communications about diversity, equity and inclusion activities at Kirby
• Work with the Communication Office to publicize and market DEI-related events, educational opportunities, workshops, etc. for students, faculty, staff and families

Networking and Continued Professional Development:

• Pursue professional development opportunities, conferences, and meetings that pertain to diversity and inclusion issues that may affect the school
• Recruit other Kirby staff to attend DEI focused conferences and learning opportunities
• Network with diversity coordinators at other schools as well as off-campus cultural resource organizations

Qualifications:

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior, Communications, Instructional Design, Human Resources, Ethnic Studies or comparable experience in a related field. 
• A multi-year track record of success (minimum of 5 years with increasing responsibility) in the design, development and implementation of successful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs
• Experience in measuring and reporting the progress and success of such programs
• Track record of facilitating cultural change that improved recruitment and retention of diverse community members
• Examples of forging strong community connections (i.e. with communities outside the institution of employment)
• Examples of coaching Anti-Racism in educational institutions
• Proven success working collaboratively with and leading students, faculty, staff, parents, and community leaders
• Project management skills including implementing complex programs, supervising personnel, and handling a budget
• Expertise in the areas of facilitating, problem solving, decision making and conflict resolution
• Experience with cross-cultural communication
• Expertise in curriculum design, pedagogy and closing achievement gaps 
• Enthusiasm for working in an academic atmosphere
• A passion for working with youth and guiding them to lead
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to prioritize tasks by volume, urgency, etc
• Detail oriented, resourceful, strong work ethic, high level of integrity, tactful 
• Technologically capable
• Desired: Experience in Organization Development and other related HR disciplines (Talent Management; Talent Acquisition; etc.)
• Desired: Bilingual competency (Spanish preferred)

Please send a cover letter and resume to Lisa Lee, HR at:  deihire@kirby.org.  

Kirby’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our hiring practices; we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at the Kirby School will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities.  Kirby School does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, race, religion, color, handicap, gender identity, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law.