About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
Under the general direction of the Deputy Chief Officer for Equity and Inclusion, the Director for the Strategic Advancement of Equity and Campus Climate will support the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) in monitoring, assessing, and improving campus climate. This position is responsible for co-managing, triaging, and following up on climate and bias incidents, providing consultation to areas after incidents, supporting campus leaders for continuous climate improvement, and supporting OEI in collecting climate-related data.
Essential Functions
- Advise, support, lead, and strategically problem-solve for campus climate crises, ongoing or emerging issues, development, and advancement of equity as it relates to goals and priorities set by the Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion.
- Support the Deputy Chief Officer for Equity and Inclusion with intensive advising and strategic problem solving to unit leadership as it relates to climate and equity concerns and assisting in the development and execution of strategies and initiatives to remediate unit-level climate factors that allow or exacerbate incidents or patterns of inequity and mistreatment not aligned with campus-level DEI goals and priorities.
- Provide follow-up support, guidance, and consultation to academic and administrative units managing complex equity and climate issues.
- In collaboration with the Deputy Chief Officer for Equity and Inclusion and the Senior Director for Strategic Inclusion and Engagement, develop and lead campus climate conversations that provide campus climate data insights, practical implications, recommendations, and guidance on strategic action plan development for each academic and administrative/executive unit on campus.
- Support the Deputy Chief Officer for Equity and Inclusion in data collection efforts for campus microclimates and underrepresented communities, during formal assessments and in response to acute equity and climate challenges.
- Liaise with administrative, executive, and academic units to meet campus equity and climate goals.
Other Functions
- Perform other administrative duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Advanced degree in a social science-related field or higher education administration and four (4) years of experience in leading or co-leading efforts promoting DEI for an organization or unit within an organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice.
- Strong experience solving complex diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate issues in the higher education environment.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience working closely with faculty, staff, students, administrators, deans, directors, or executive-level leaders.
- Demonstrated understanding of policy and procedure in higher education.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment activity.
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday; 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (40 hours per week).
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 28
Exempt Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with your application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.