Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director

Location: District

Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

 

Mission Statement:

Middletown Public Schools cultivates the brilliance in each student.

Values and Belief Statements:
Empowerment: Middletown Public Schools empowers its students with the knowledge
and skills to create lives brimming with purpose, passion and fulfillment.
Community: Middletown Public Schools harnesses the power of community by
fostering an environment of mutual understanding and appreciation.
Growth: Middletown Public Schools encourages a culture of growth and exploration,
inspiring lifelong learners.
Authenticity: Middletown Public Schools embraces each person’s authenticity and
cultivates an inclusive culture that brings about a sense of belonging.

Broad Function:
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director is responsible for the development
of, and implementation of a wide range of DEI initiatives in support of Middletown
Public Schools programming and teaching, as well as leading school-based DEI
programs. In addition, this position is responsible for serving as the Title IX
Coordinator for the District, related to student claims and sustaining internal capacity

to provide job-embedded support to site-based leadership teams, faculty, staff,
community, and district level teams across the district. The objective of this position is
to assist the School District in building the knowledge, skill, will, and capacity of the
MIddletown Public School District system to create and sustain equitable learning
experiences for all students.

Essential Functions:

• Works directly with MPS school teams to build their capacity in addressing the needs of the school community in the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Encourages and supports teachers to be self-reflective of their instructional practices and the impact on student learning.
• Collaborates with educators, administrators, and other central office departments and leaders to facilitate professional learning opportunities that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging with colleagues in the Learning Services Team departments.
• Carries out Title IX investigations in accordance with Federal and State laws and regulations.
• Analyzes current practices to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout Middletown Public School District.
• Facilitates opportunities to examine bias and privilege and how it influences our interactions, planning, and instruction.
• Works with the Human Resources department and other District departments on the development and implementation of the Title VI, VII, and IX programs to ensure and enforce standards for compliance in programs, services, and benefits.
• Routinely attends and is visible at school and city-wide events.
• Designs, coordinates and implements district-wide annual training, education, and learning programs for staff in the areas of DEI and general professional development topics such as leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, etc.
• Works with the senior leadership team to establish DEI as a shared value and to raise awareness, competence and action across the organization.
• Fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Receives, investigates, and resolves Title IX violations and related reports.
• Conducts ongoing review and analysis to identify potential risks and eliminate the risk of bias.
• Coordinates and collaborates with the school building leaders and department heads on key initiatives.
• Supports teachers with co-planning, co-teaching, observing, and providing feedback on the successful implementation of Culturally Responsive Pedagogies.
• Continuously gathers and uses feedback from students, parents, teachers, classified staff, and administrators in the MPS community to inform the work of DEI efforts.
• Represents MPS in external groups around DEI efforts and supports connections that share and promote diverse perspectives in MPS schools.
• Monitors student data as it relates to disproportionality in outcomes and leads efforts to address these gaps.
• Works closely with the Assistant Superintendents to identify equity gaps and address them accordingly.
• Monitors and manages district-wide programs and implementations directed to support DEI efforts across site progress-monitoring assessment instruments.
• Performs other duties as directed.

 

Qualifications, Experience and Job Requirements:

• Connecticut State Administrator’s certification (092)
• Master’s degree in education, social work, or a related field required
• Foundational knowledge about race, culture, and socio-economic status in education; racial and gender justice issues; and inclusion concepts
• Knowledge of race, culture, socio-economic status in education, and inclusion  concepts.
• Proven success in integrating and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within complex organizations.
• Experience in adult learning, staff development, and teacher coaching.
• Experience working with diverse populations; bilingual/biliterate preferred.
• Proficient in maintaining confidentiality, effective oral and written communication.
• Skilled in Google and Microsoft programs and English grammar proficiency.
• Strong customer service and knowledge of district policies.
• Enthusiastic with strong interpersonal skills, able to relate well with students, staff, parents, and the community.
• Ability to conduct Title IX investigations and knowledge of Title IX laws.
• Willingness to travel between schools and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of differentiation, culturally responsive instruction, and diverse student needs.
• Self-directed, reflective, committed to academic integrity, and effective in program development related to DEI.
• Skilled in presentation, facilitation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and maintain honesty, integrity, and safety in the workplace.
• Adherence to attendance requirements and Board of Education policies.
• Ability and willingness to adhere to attendance requirements, including regular and punctual employee presence.
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies, and building and department procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits required.

Salary & Compensation:

• Per MSAA contract.

 

Physical and Mental Demands / Work Environment:
The physical demands and environmental characteristics described here are
representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Must be mobile with the ability to get from one location in the office or work
site(s) to other locations in the office or work site(s)
Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time required.
Ability to lift or carry objects less than thirty (30) pounds required.
Ability to perform manipulative skills such as writing and typing required.
Ability to see and read objects closely, such as wiring, labels on equipment,
reading/proofreading a report, using a computer monitor, filing and/or retrieving
information from a filing system and verifying the accuracy of financial
information required.
Ability to hear normal sounds with background noise, as in using a telephone
or radio, distinguish verbal communication and communicate through speech,
including using a radio required.
Ability to learn and acquire an understanding of new information,
methodologies and techniques and how they apply to school goals and
operations required.
Memory adequate to perform tasks/assignments given over long periods of
time required.
Ability to concentrate on a task for more than 60 minutes required.

Disclaimers:

The supplemental job description lists typical examples of work and is not intended to
include every job duty and responsibility specific to a position. An employee may be
required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description
provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification. This job description
reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or
restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Connecticut requires that any person (teachers, administrators, special service staff
members, teachers’ aides, custodians, cafeteria employees, etc.) who is hired by a local
or regional board of education submit to a state and national criminal history record
check within the first 30 days of the date of employment. The process includes the
checking of fingerprints by the State Police Bureau of Identification and the F.B.I. The
results of the criminal history record checks (both state and federal) are reported to the
employing school district. If the district receives notice of a conviction of a crime by a
person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the State Board of
Education, the district shall notify the Bureau of Certification and Professional
Development.

 

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Middletown Board of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer,
and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital
status, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, alienage, sex, gender identity
or expression, sexual orientation, disability or pregnancy in any of its education
programs, activities, or employment policies. All educational programs and offerings,
including vocational education and extracurricular activities, subscribe to this policy.