The Senior Diversity Officer (SDO) and Associate General Counsel (AGC), reporting directly to the General Counsel, and working closely with the President, places diversity among the University’s top priorities and helps address the multitude of legal, risk management, and compliance needs of the modern university.
OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
While many campus units have leaders and teams aiming to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their areas of influence, the SDO focuses on strategies, policies, and programs that are coordinated, consistent, and consequential across the entire institution.
Senior Diversity Officer duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Collaborate with university leaders, faculty, students, staff, and internal and external constituencies to ensure programming supports the University’s values and strategic goals relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Maintain responsibility for creating, revising, and implementing DEI policies, overseeing programing, and developing and implementing strategies and plans that foster an inclusive campus climate and support an academic environment in which the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are centrally embedded in institutional frameworks.
- Provide advice, guidance, training, and support on matters involving diversity, equity, inclusion, affirmative action, equal opportunity, employee and student grievances or complaints, and other legal or compliance matters. Monitor and assess related data and work to increase diversity and inclusion and promote fair and equitable treatment among students, faculty, and staff.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for initiatives and plans relating to affirmative action, equal opportunity, increasing diversity, enhancing cultural competency, addressing disability, sexual harassment, and discrimination issues, building a climate of equity and inclusion, and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws.
- Work with stakeholders for purposes of assessing and reporting on the University’s culture, climate, and environment with respect to diversity and inclusion. Serves as the central resource for students, faculty, staff on matters of diversity and inclusion.
- Represents the University, when appropriate, to federal, state and municipal government agencies dealing with issues of diversity and compliance. Serve as Chief Diversity Officer for University and on Kansas Board of Regents Council of Chief Diversity Officers.
- Provide analysis and recommendations relating to legislation, laws, regulations, policies, and practices related to DEI and affirmative action, and work in conjunction with Human Resources, Student Life, Title IX, and University Compliance Office to assist – in capacities that may include investigative, advisory, and/or decision-making roles – with regulatory, compliance, and conduct matters pertaining to DEI or otherwise.
- Perform other duties relating to DEI affairs at Fort Hays State University and as assigned by the President and/or General Counsel.
The Associate General Counsel duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Represent FHSU in legal matters and proceedings as assigned by the General Counsel.
- Provide legal counsel, services, and support to the University and University stakeholders through the Office of General Counsel. Assist the General Counsel and Compliance Officer with various potential legal and compliance matters involved in higher education, including but not limited to the following areas: employment and labor law, intellectual property law, agency/administrative and corporate law, real estate law, immigration law, first amendment and other constitutional and civil rights law, student discipline, federal compliance, open meetings and records, litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and administrative proceedings, athletics, and various other legal and risk management topics and areas.
- Responsibilities may include drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and affiliation agreements; providing counsel and support on development and application of policies and procedures; ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, providing advice and guidance and performing activities designed to limit and manage institutional legal risk and liability, and representing the University and managing or supervising civil and administrative litigation or proceedings involving the University.
- Assist the Office of General Counsel and Compliance with various legal, compliance, policy, community and governmental relations, and other strategic functions, initiatives, and activities. Support and serve as needed or assigned relative to labor negotiations, open records and document retention and management needs, export controls and security matters, emergency response and critical incident planning and management, government and community relations, University and departmental committees and work groups, governance, student and employee conduct, and other strategic, legal, and compliance initiatives and activities.
- Support the Office of General Counsel through consultation and collaboration with counsel for the Board of Regents, the Attorney General, general counsel at other Regents universities, and counsel for other state agencies to provide consistency in the interpretation of law and the development and application of policy.
- Perform other duties relating to the legal, governmental, and external affairs of Fort Hays State University and as assigned by the President and/or General Counsel.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate
- Licensed (and in good standing) to practice law in Kansas, or eligible for same
- Demonstrated leadership in advancing DEI, or other significant DEI experience demonstrating a commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and/or learning environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Three years or more of DEI experience referenced above
- Two years or more of experience practicing law as a licensed attorney
- Demonstrated track record of strategic planning and successfully developing and executing projects with multidisciplinary teams; developing policies and procedures; delivering diplomatic yet firm communications
- Demonstrated track record of successfully addressing DEI goals or strategies in the context of an institution of higher education or other complex organization
- Prior experience as a university attorney, compliance, or conduct officer
- Knowledge and experience in the areas of Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, Title IX, Immigration, Employment, Federal and State Compliance, Higher Ed Law, and other relevant laws and regulations
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, both oral and written, as well as excellent judgment and a record of effectiveness in dealing with conflict resolution
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
General office conditions; exposed to moderate noise levels.
BENEFITS: Competitive benefit package http://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/
REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS: Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and names and contact information for three professional references. Please submit application documents in one PDF file.
Appointment Date: Negotiable
Application Deadline: Review of applications will commence on January 3, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled or search is closed.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Name: Heather Kaiser
Phone: (785) 628-4233
ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION
Potential Salary Range:
Dependent on experience and qualifications, but anticipated range is $70,000 to $80,000.
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
