ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

For over 40 years, the Chinese American Service League’s (CASL) comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals with the vital support they need: providing an educational and cultural foundation for our children, ensuring our seniors live full and independent lives with dignity, enhancing education and training for tomorrow's workforce, putting immigrants on the pathway to citizenship, and securing our community's housing and financial well-being.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of the Community Equity Research Center (CERC) is responsible for developing, creating, implementing, and evaluating strategies, practices, and organizational efforts to center equity and inclusion and promote diversity through DEIA initiatives/programs.

The three primary focuses of the role are to 1) Develop, deliver, and assess external DEIA initiatives/programs bringing diverse people and communities together to lift their voices, 2) help develop innovative, community responsive and culturally competent policy and programming initiatives that measurably advance social change for the communities we serve, and 3) position CASL as a national thought leader in the non-profit DEIA space with a particular focus on a measurable reduction in the attitudes, biases, and actions that lead to Hate crimes. This will be done through the Community Equity Research Center and the Anti-Hate Action Center.

CORE VALUES

As a champion of our Mission, Vision and Core Values, this role will:

• Be grounded in mutual respect and acceptance, building a culture of Inclusivity;
• Support staff Empowerment through skills attainment, and developmental opportunities;
• Work in partnership to achieve a workplace that embodies Collaboration;
• Envision and realize Transformation of people, processes and policy;
• Model Resiliency to leverage the collective strengths of our dynamic work force.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform the following from a social equity lens

Lead the Planning Development and Execution of CASL’s Equity Agenda

• Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the CASL’s DEIA (program and Community aspect) and Anti-Hate agenda and ensure alignment with our mission, values, and business strategy.
• Lead, coordinate, and execute the development of a multi-year DEIA Strategic Plan as well as DEIA Core Competencies for programs and community engagement. Partner with the VP of People and Culture, who will be leading DEIA internally for staff, to ensure continuity.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as core values and serve as the external ambassador and expert in DEIA.
• Develop and track metrics that will allow CASL to measure success against DEIA Strategies and goals to determine future needs both externally through community engagement
• Collaborate with other programs to ensure leadership in DEIA values as well as proper resources and representation through government
• With the Anti-Hate Action Center, develop and/or implement outreach activities, educational campaigns, and strategies to cultivate community awareness, build relationships and engagement with other marginalized communities.
• Mobilize local partnerships between the AAPI, African American, LatinX, Justice Involved, and LGBTQ communities, organizations and businesses that measurably reduce the spread of hate, prejudice, and disinformation and contribute to creating an equitable social and political landscape.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategies and campaigns that counter intolerance, hate, and bigotry.
• Maintain strong lines of communication, keeping the COO informed of all critical issues.

Recruit, Develop and Manage the Community Equity Research Center team

• Build and lead a diverse team to accomplish the organization’s mission and Impact Agenda. Responsible for hiring and evaluation, demanding high performance and results and ensuring team members’ work is aligned with mission and strategy.
• Invest time and resources in training, development, support for, and succession of the team; effectively delegate to accomplish goals and to build team members’ capability and confidence.
• Coach and mentor team members; receive and provide feedback in a constructive way that builds confidence within the team; address performance issues as needed in a timely manner.

Administration

• Overall responsibility for the day-to-day administration of DEIA program and community initiatives and Anti-Hate Center.
• Devise strategies and plans for the CERC according to company standards for excellent service and growth.
• Operate in a manner compliant with all applicable State and federal laws, regulations and adopted policies and procedures.
• Conduct quarterly quality assurance review of processes and overall impact of CERC.
• Maintain sufficient staff of appropriate training and credentialing to meet the requirements for service delivery.
• Assume responsibility of budgeting and resourcing including budget development and adherence.
• Monitor compliance to legal guidelines, internal policies and quality standards.
• Be responsible for data management using Salesforce.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience:

• Master's degree in Sociology, Social Justice, Gender Studies, Race and Ethnic Relations or related field required. Ph.D. a plus.
• DE&I certification a plus
• Minimum of five years’ experience in DEIA related positions OR a minimum of 5 years of experience specializing in community outreach including the development of strategy through implementation

Skills/Knowledge:

Being a strong and flexible communicator, leader and having interpersonal skills a must.

Having an awareness of global and cultural issues required

Knowledge of community-based approaches to support social justice in communities that have been marginalized and/or historically disenfranchised

Previous relationship management experience preferred

Visible commitment, through actions and words, of DEIA principles.

Excellent English writing, reading and speaking skills a must. Spoken and written knowledge of Chinese and/or Spanish a plus, but not required

Physical Demands:

Required to frequently sit, stand, bend, and walk for extended periods.

Environment and Scheduling:

Work is normally performed during standard business hours, Monday through Friday.

Must be flexible and available to work after regularly business hours when necessary (e.g., weekends and evening periods for community events).

Delivery of services in community-based settings.

CASL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ethnic or national origin, or any other status protected by State and Federal Law.