Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene, and Woodburn. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) reports to the President and serves as the university’s lead Diversity Officer and supports the mission of Pacific University. As a key member of the President’s Council, the VP of EDIA manages an institution-wide effort to support and further develop a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, and staff through policy development and programs that foster equity and inclusion in the broadest sense possible. This role includes providing strategic, operational, and organizational leadership that facilitates intercultural competence, the expansion and nurturance of diverse populations, and inclusive leadership across campuses. The VP of EDIA will advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, address critical community issues, and develop strategies and shared institutional responsibility.

Application review to begin in early fall 2023. Position open until filled.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support a Shared Vision for Inclusive Excellence

• Work with university stakeholders to develop, implement, monitor, and update the university’s strategic objectives for equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility including a comprehensive review of alignment and equity among current initiatives that support EDIA
• Develop standards, practices, and policies for core University units to express equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility from the University’s mission statement within the units’ key functions
• Review unit compliance with stated standards and practices. Provide guidance and expertise to: drive alignment to the values expressed from the University’s mission statement; and, link goals, outcomes, and measures that match University accreditation processes
• Collaborate with other vice-presidential areas to review all new and existing policies and procedures through an equity lens

Care for a Diverse Community through Advocacy

• Lead, in collaboration with Student Affairs, a comprehensive bias response team and process to mediate potential community incidents of bias, discrimination, or inequity that are not addressable by existing student conduct and personnel processes
• Listen and give voice to emergent issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within the University, local community, and nationally as it affects the University, including receiving concerns and speaking to all institutional levels as an advocate on matters of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
• Foster and promote Pacific’s mission and values related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility to internal and external stakeholders
• Work with the President’s Council and University Advancement to develop and share messaging that reflects the University’s interests in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility   
• Serves on the President’s Communication Advisory Committee

Pursue Justice through Shared Responsibility and Education

• Lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and strategies that retain and recruit students, faculty, and staff through collaboration with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Human Resources, Institutional Research, student communities, and other internal and external stakeholders
• Serve as an ex-officio member of the University Diversity Committee, including working with the committee chair to ensure the committee reports to the University Council as required and facilitates access to relevant offices and administrative processes of the university
• Follow best practices and current trends in equity, diversity, and social justice work and bring that knowledge to inform excellence of practice of the faculty, staff, and students in this theme
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs on curriculum design and building that expands teaching and educational practices to embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion and encourages universal design for learning across all areas
• Facilitates transformational diversity, equity, and inclusion training

Lead Organizational Strategy

• Partner with other members of the President’s Council to provide leadership for all aspects of the university’s operation with an emphasis on long term goals, fiscal health, and the student experience
• Manage and direct the university toward its vision and strategy
• Serve as a university representative to stakeholders, employees, students, the government, media, and public
• Execute multiple high impact initiatives to achieve university goals
• Promote communication and cooperation among divisions to create a spirit of unity in the university
• Collaborates with the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations

 SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

 Perform other related duties as assigned.

 Duties as assigned by the President and/or the Board of Trustees, such as but not limited to:

• Serve on various committees
• Attend ceremonial and official functions; be an active and visible presence within the university community
• Completion of numerous requests for information for both internal and external sources
• Provide service to community organizations
• Perform other duties and facilitate projects as assigned

JOB SCOPE:

Performs duties independently, operating from within established University strategy, existing instructions, and industry best practices. Decisions are made within general university policy constraints but require independent decision-making. Performs the position duties under direction of the President. Administrative responsibilities require a high level of organization and initiative, and have the ability to have a significant impact on student and employee experience. Position requires change management, long-range planning and visioning. Position has access to and must make decisions that have public impact regarding information that is confidential, sensitive, and must remain private.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:

• Exec. Assistant & Project Manager to VP of Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility 
• Position may give guidance and expertise to other employees that may have business or legal implications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in relevant field required; doctorate preferred.
• Required minimum 5 years of relevant leadership experience in a complex organizational setting    
• Required experience identifying, learning, teaching, and collaboratively implementing best practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in an organizational setting
• Experience in a higher education setting preferred
• Bi-cultural and bi-lingual preferred

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Excellent leadership and management skills with ability to motivate all stakeholders to seek equity and inclusion across organizational and cultural boundaries
• Advanced knowledge of psycho-social, leadership concerns, and evidence-based practice around equity, diversity, and culture in a complex organizational setting
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills
• Commitment and passion for promoting diversity, inclusion, and justice in the workplace
• Superior time management skills with a proven ability to efficiently manage multiple, concurrent, time-sensitive projects and priorities
• Superior problem-solving abilities to meet ambiguous and multicultural needs
• Superior independent judgment, sensitivity, discretion and flexibility in interactions and initiatives involving controversial, confidential, or privileged information
• Proficient understanding of financial and business acumen
• Advanced knowledge of compliance related laws and regulations
• Advanced writing and documentation experience with demonstrated success in strategic messaging, legal documentation, policy and program development
• Advanced presentation and public speaking
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail
• Proficient understanding of Microsoft Office and Google Office Suites or related software, including Zoom 
• Proficient expertise in Excel and analytical analysis and reporting

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Most work occurs in typical university environment during typical business hours. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work required. Occasional travel between different campuses required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• General office environment
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer
• Communicate effectively via phone, email, online meetings, and in person
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone.  The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position.  All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.  Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.