Chief Diversity Officer Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Position Description San José State University invites nominations and applications for the newly created position of Chief Diversity Officer. The University San José State University (SJSU) is a major, comprehensive public university located in the center of San José, California the heart of Silicon Valley. A member of the 23-campus California State University System, SJSU is the oldest state university in California. Its distinctive character has been forged by its long history, its location, and its vision a blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the innovative. Among its most prized traditions is an uncompromising commitment to provide for and support a faculty that is active in scholarship, research, technological innovation, community service, and the arts. SJSU grants bachelor s and master s degrees in 134 areas of study, as well as an Educational Doctorate and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree (a joint program with California State University Fresno). Quality teaching and small classes are a priority, where tenured professors teach introductory, as well as advanced courses. Among the top 200 universities in research and development expenditures (as surveyed by the National Science Foundation), SJSU offers rigorous course work and research opportunities to approximately 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with more than 600 tenure/tenure-track faculty, 1000+ part-time faculty, and 1,300 staff. The University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The academic colleges include Applied Sciences and Arts; the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business; the Connie L. Lurie College of Education; the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering; Humanities & the Arts; Science; and Social Sciences. The University is proud of its award-winning library, a unique joint city-university partnership. SJSU is an exceptional place for hands-on learning, professional development and personal growth. The University has constructed or renovated several facilities in the past few years, and the campus occupies 19 blocks in downtown San José with 23 academic buildings and seven residence halls. Located 1.5 miles away on 62 acres is the South Campus, which includes the Spartan Stadium and athletics fields. About the Position SJSU is proud of its diversity and the rich experience it provides for the campus community. The students, faculty, staff and administrators bring exceptional insights and abilities as they draw from their unique perspectives in terms of their backgrounds, identities, and experiences
(as constituted by gender, socioeconomic class, political perspective, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, regional origin, nationality, occupation, language, among others, and the intersections of these aspects). The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is an official cabinet member reporting directly to the President as a key leader and voice on issues of diversity and inclusion. In addition, the CDO serves as a liaison to community partners and constituents external to the university regarding initiatives and advances in diversity and inclusion at SJSU. Nationally, and at SJSU, campuses are experiencing more conversation about the lack of inclusiveness and racism. The CDO at SJSU will be a talented and wise leader to lead forward after these conversations take place both on the campus and in the community. The successful candidate for the CDO position must be an experienced leader, as well as a change agent, able to foster a diverse, inclusive and welcoming campus, and align and integrate a wide range of existing and new initiatives in order to build on a culture of equity and inclusion. The CDO will hold primary responsibility for the foundation of the office. The CDO will directly supervise the campus Title IX coordinator, and any support staff. The Chief Diversity Officer provides executive leadership and vision in the administration of a comprehensive range of services, policies and procedures related to equity in diversity and inclusive excellence. The CDO participates in all aspects of institutional planning in support of the mission and goals of the university, including meeting the needs of the diverse student, faculty, and staff populations and creating a learning and working environment where all have the opportunity to succeed. In addition, the CDO will work closely with the SJSU President s Commission on Diversity to ensure alignment of the Commission s recommendations to the President with the work of the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence. In addition, the Chief Diversity Officer is responsible for the following: Creating and developing the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Assessing campus needs related to equity in diversity and inclusive excellence Develop annual priorities for the campus by planning collaboratively with each Division and Auxiliary to support and develop a campus culture of inclusiveness; identify annual expected outcomes and coordinate appropriate evaluation of these efforts by developing measurable indicators of performance Providing executive-level leadership, and oversight of the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence in the areas of programming, personnel, facilities, community building, health & safety, assessment, and fiscal resource management Balancing campus needs and budget constraints to define the required staff needed by the office and managing the hiring processes for those positions; in consultation with appropriate campus constituents, identifying and integrating into the office existing campus programs and departments Implementing and coordinating training for faculty, staff, administrators, and students related to diversity and inclusive excellence Developing and leading a sustainable process to implement and continuously assess and adapt the university s goals related to diversity and inclusive excellence Directly managing the campus Title IX program, ensuring compliance with all state and federal laws, as well as all applicable California State University Executive Orders
Conducting assessments regularly to monitor campus climate Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications to publicize, promote and share the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence s efforts with the campus and local communities Identify, seek and secure grant funding, corporate partnerships, and other opportunities to leverage campus resources and further propel diversity initiative efforts Supporting the University s efforts to improve access and college readiness of qualified, historically underrepresented students to the University; enhancing the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and staff Engaging faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and community members in issues related to diversity and inclusive excellence at the University and the national level Engaging in and supporting diversity-related scholarship and incorporating that knowledge into University practices and programming Ensuring that all programs and services in the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence comply with relevant state and federal laws, California State University regulations, and University policies Actively engaging in related California State University System-wide initiatives and meetings Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Demonstrated success in working with diverse populations including race, ancestry, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, and physical abilities Demonstrated management within a complex organization and budget Competence in utilizing data-driven strategies at the institutional, divisional and unit levels to evaluate and assess programs and services, focusing on improvement Proven record and ability to develop institutional practices consistent with federal, state and higher education law Proven record and ability to mentor staff and advance a culture of service in collaboration with all University and System constituencies Excellent communication skills, including the ability to facilitate difficult dialogues, effectively listen to all points of view, build consensus on initiatives and issues, and inform others of policies and plans Minimum Qualifications 1. Master s degree in a related discipline 2. 5 years of progressively advancing leadership experience in designing and leading efforts related to institutional access, diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, or education and employment equity, including fluency with the current best practices in these areas 3. Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations including race, ancestry, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, and physical abilities 4. Proven experience working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels in a large, complex institution, as well as with diverse external communities, to facilitate positive
and collaborative processes and initiatives coupled with measurable programmatic deliverables 5. Evidence of initiating or founding units with clear and well-defined metrics for success 6. Working knowledge and current expertise with Title IX legal requirements and programmatic responsibilities 7. Proven experience to develop institutional practices consistent with federal, state, and higher education law Preferred Qualifications A post-graduate terminal degree is preferred Experience working within academic shared governance and collective bargaining environments Strong working knowledge of social justice theories, scholarship, trends, and best practices in higher education. Experience managing organizational change Experience with crisis management Relevant scholarly activity, including publications and/or leadership in appropriate professional organizations APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS The application consists of a cover letter addressing the preferred qualifications and interest in the position, current curriculum vitae, and a list of three (3) references. Additional information may be requested. For best review, applications should be submitted by January 22, 2016; however, the search will remain open until filled. Direct inquiries, nominations, and applications to the following: Sharon Tanabe, Partner or Emy Peña, Principal Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates 6512 Painter Avenue Whittier, CA 90601 Electronic submissions are preferred. Please email us at stsearch@storbeckpimentel.com CODE: SJSU CDO For a confidential inquiry or nomination contact either Ms. Tanabe or Ms. Peña at 562-360-1612 Finalists for the position will be required to complete an SJSU Online Employment Application. Note to Applicant: This is a position in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP), and serves at the pleasure of the President. This position may also require adherence to University compliance training, such as: Conflict of Interest and Ethics; AB1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention; Information Security; and Injury and Illness Prevention Program. The person hired for this position will be required to complete an outside employment disclosure statement in accordance with Title V of the California Code of Regulations.
Evidence of degree(s) or certification(s) may be required at time of hire. Every applicant who reaches the final level of interview will be required to submit their fingerprints to the Livescan fingerprint service through the University s Police Department. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (i.e., H1-B Visas) All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in California State University Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Equal Employment Statement SJSU is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. It is the policy of SJSU to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities who self- disclose.