Title III Diversity Specialist - WVU Keyser

Potomac State College (WVU Keyser), part of the West Virginia University system of campuses, located in Keyser, WV is seeking applications for a Title III Diversity Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The Diversity Specialist (DS) will dedicate 100% of their time assisting PSC in creating a sustainable, inclusive environment focused on recruitment and retention of FTFT students. They hold a twelve-month position allowing adequate time to research, develop and implement programs and activities, train faculty, administration, advisors, and the career specialist, work with students, and evaluate the services and make changes as needed. They will also assist students during the summer months for walk-ins and students attending summer classes as well.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness program

What you'll do:

• Create and promote programming designed to cultivate an appreciation of diverse ethnic and cultural heritages with the goal of forming a more inclusive campus environment.
  
• Design, deliver and implement workshops, presentations, and other strategies that promote diversity and inclusion.
  
• Support and strengthen programs and existing efforts at improving success rates of underrepresented students.
  
• Propose and implement additional strategies and contacts for recruiting and retaining underrepresented students.
  
• Provide microaggressions training for PSC faculty/staff and make training available to students.
  
• Develop and implement a culturally responsive mentoring program for faculty, administration, advisors, and career specialist.
  
• Develop and implement a culturally responsive pedagogy program for PSC faculty.
  
• Serve as a liaison between Student Organizations and Affinity Groups and faculty advisors with a common mission of addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
  
• Provide support and guidance to the President's Leadership Team on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  
• Attend President's Council quarterly meetings and other college councils and provide updates.
  
• Collaborate closely with the Dean of Student Experience, Student Life Faculty Committee, Social Justice Committee, Residence Life, and the Activities and Recreation Coordinator to plan and implement student programming to support personal and professional development of underrepresented students (In consultation with the WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). This may require transportation of students to programming activities.
  
• Collaborate with, mentor, and refer students to appropriate resources, personnel and campus-based services.

• Master's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience coordinating diversity work with students or working with rural or minority students or both, preferably in the higher education setting, and coordinating and organizing professional development or training programming.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
  
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of diversity issues in general and within higher education.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departments, organizational units, related programs, faculty, staff, and students.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate difficult dialogues, effectively listen to all points of view, and ability to build consensus on initiatives and issues.
  
• Plan, coordinate, and implement objectives and solve problems.
  
• Must have the ability to conduct research and analyze data to make recommendations and plans of action.
  

• Valid driver's license

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and received an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.